Ban the Import of Hunting Trophies

Over 200,000 threatened or endangered animals are killed around the world every year for no other purpose than the cruel “sport” of trophy hunting.

The animal victims of this sadistic pastime are killed, and their species are put at further risk, just so that entitled hunting enthusiasts can mount and display their bodies or body parts (heads, hides or claws).

In addition to killing tens of thousands of domestic animals, American trophy hunters also import an average of 126,000 wildlife trophies to the United States every year.

Trophy hunters try to justify their actions by claiming they are benefitting wildlife conservation when in reality studies have shown that charismatic species are worth more alive as tourist attractions than dead at the hands of a trophy hunter.

Thankfully an important bill that seeks to protect endangered animals from the threat of trophy hunting has recently been reintroduced in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).

H.R.7840, the ProTECT Act, would “amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking for a trophy of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife in the United States and the importation of endangered and threatened species trophies into the United States, and for other purposes.”

Although polling has revealed that a majority of American citizens oppose hunting animals for sport, and an impressive 86% oppose big game hunting, the small minority of Americans that engage in this immoral hobby are typically wealthy and powerful.

The United States’ hunting lobby has spent millions of dollars to prevent similar legislation in the past both in the US and abroad, even going as far as pressuring the U.K. Government to throw out a similar measure in 2022.

This bill is going to face tough opposition, so we need to remind congress that they have an obligation to represent the will of the people and the American people do not support trophy hunting.

Take Action

Please join Species Unite in calling on Congress to do the right thing and pass H.R.7840, the ProTECT Act.

Further action:

You can make an even bigger impact by reaching out to your congressional representative and asking them to cosponsor this bill. You can use this link to find your Congressperson. Simply type in your zip code and your state representatives will appear, go to the bottom of the list of photos until you see the one that says “representative” and click on the contact link. This will take you to their individual contact page where you can fill out an online form asking them to support the ProTECT Act (H.R.7840).

You can send a note as simple as:

Dear Representative [Name],

I am your constituent, and I am requesting that you become a co-sponsor of H.R.7840, the proTECT Act. Polling has shown that the majority of Americans are opposed to killing for sport and big game hunting in particular. Trophy hunting is cruel and unnecessary and does not represent the values of most Americans. This bill is an important step in the right direction for protecting endangered wildlife and respecting conservation science. Please do your part to help get this bill passed.

Sincerely,