Statement from Four Paws US Executive Director, Robert Ware
In response to a tagged “big tusk” elephant being shot in trophy hunt near Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
March 28, 2018 – BOSTON, MA
"Every year, hunters travel to Africa to participate in “trophy hunting,” from which hunters bring home dead animals as trophies to display on their walls as souvenirs. Most of 'the Big 5’, elephants, lions, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard, can be hunted somewhere in Africa, for the right price. This is unacceptable.
"Ironically, supporters of the trophy hunting industry, proclaim that their activities support conservation yet, there is no legitimate evidence that any trophy hunting dollars trickle down past unstable governments, corrupt officials and developing infrastructure to viable conservation efforts on the ground. Additionally, lax enforcement of hunting laws and ethics
allows for such cruel instances where collared animals, such as this particular tusker and as Cecil the lion, are unfortunately killed.
"In response to the recent new rule by the USFWS and the Trump Administration that lifted the ban on imports of elephant trophies (tusks, heads, skin, feet, tails and other parts) from Zimbabwe and Zambia, FOUR PAWS strongly disapproves of this action and urges the United States to continue this ban to protect African elephants. The commercial hunting of animals and the deregulating of import permits for these hunting trophies, has opened the floodgates, targeting Africa’s most threated and endangered populations.
“Trophy hunting is an unacceptable use of natural resources and the vast majority of the world’s population thinks so. After the media backlash towards the American that shot Cecil the lion, it is clear that most Americans do not support trophy sport hunting. FOUR PAWS is committed to standing up for all animal populations where humans have a deleterious effect on their lives and quality of that life."
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organization for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need, and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organization advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding. FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam, as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.fourpawsusa.org