Trump Reverses Ban on Importing Hunted Elephant Trophies Into America

It reverses President Barack Obama's 2014 ban.

President Donald Trump and his administration have decided to allow U.S. citizens to import African Elephant body parts that were shot for sport between January 2016 and December 2018 in Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has written a letter to authorities in the two countries to inform them that U.S. citizens will be allowed to bring back parts of the animals they've hunted for trophies.

"Legal, well-regulated sport hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve those species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told NPR.

"[We've] determined that the hunting and management programs for African elephants in Zimbabwe and Zambia will enhance the survival of the species in the wild."

Back in 2014, President Barack Obama moved to ban the importation of hunting trophies in an effort to discourage hunters killing endangered species.

The move has been heavily criticised as it really only positively affects the elite who have the time and resources to go on hunting trips to countries in Africa.

Finally the white working classes nightmare of trouble importing their elephant trophies is at an end.

— Timothy Simons (@timothycsimons) November 16, 2017

What is wrong with you people? What is missing in your sad lives that you need to shoot endangered animals for fun? Not for food. Not for self preservation. Just out and out pointless.

— Zoe Rachel French (@ZoeRachelFrench) November 16, 2017

And as a reminder, here's a picture of Donald Trump's son after a kill.

pic.twitter.com/z6JHHF0kAg

— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) November 16, 2017

Sigh. What a world we live in.

Photo: iStock.com/CarGe