African Lion listed as Threatened under ESA

On October 26, 2014, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced it is proposing to list the African Lion in the Threatened category under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with a special rule that would limit the import of trophies to countries where it is demonstrated that lion hunting is sustainable and hunting lions will enhance the survival of the species.

An import permit would be required for all sport hunted African lion trophies imported into the US when this new listing and special rule take effect.

This special rule will limit lion imports from all but a few countries that have adequate population surveys showing the population’s trend, have an increasing population, and can demonstrate that the revenue generated by such hunting will be spent directly to enhance the lion’s survivability.

This is similar to the rule that was used by the USFWS to suspend ivory imports from Tanzania and Zimbabwe in April of this year.

The proposal will be published in the Federal Register this Wednesday, which starts a 90 day comment period on this proposal.  It will take at least a year until it takes effect, and hunters will not be affected until sometime in 2016.

If you are thinking about taking an African Lioness or Lion, the time to do it is NOW!
 
Discount African Hunts recommends that you take you African Lion in the first half of 2015 in order to have time to receive the trophy before these regulations take effect.

The time to act is NOW!  The uncertainty around which countries will be allowed to export lion trophies to the US will certainly increase the amount of hunters wanting to get their lion before the new regulations take effect.

John Martins
Discount African Hunts