Urgent update: Trump just approved the lion trophy to be imported into the U.S. This hasn't happened since 2016, when lions became protected under the Endangered Species Act. This is completely unacceptable. Please sign and share to protect animals and keep the total ban on this cruelty!
President Trump just opened the door to expanded sport hunting of some of the world's most beloved — and imperiled — animals: Africa's elephants and lions. We need your signature today to help stop him.
Near the turn of the 20th century, Africa was home to between three and five million elephants. Now less than half a million remain. Africa's lions have seen similar declines, with lion numbers declining by 42 percent in just the last 20 years.
To save these iconic animals from extinction, the Obama administration banned the importation of elephant trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe and made importing lion pelts and other trophies more difficult.
Now President Trump — whose sons have boasted publicly of killing rare animals in Africa — has reversed this animal-saving ban. In fact, Trump announced that the Fish and Wildlife Service will now allow "trophy" imports of dead elephants and lions on a "case-by-case" basis.
In fact, in September 2019, his administration approved the first importation of a lion trophy since 2016, when lions became protected under the Endangered Species Act. This is completely unacceptable. Please sign and share to protect animals and keep the total ban on this cruelty!
This reversal will almost inevitably increase poaching of these rare animals. According to Jeffrey Flocken of the International Fund for Animal Welfare:
"When a species' greatest value is as a dead trophy, its days will inevitably be numbered, just as they are when the value of their parts — like ivory tusks, tiger skins, or rhino horn — make protection from poachers nearly impossible."
The move is also squarely at odds with public opinion in the US. 82% of Americans surveyed support banning lion trophies, and 83% support banning elephant trophies.
That's why Care2 is calling on Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva, one of the most stalwart animal defenders in Congress, to introduce legislation to reverse the Trump administration's trophy import decision as soon as possible.
By adding your name today you'll show Congressman Grijalva that conservation-minded people around the world reject sport hunting of our imperiled species. And you'll provide the public support we'll need to restore vital protections for whales and lions.
Speak up now for elephants and lions. Please sign the petition now to stop all new imports of elephant and lion trophies.
