Why is the U.S Federal Government Blind to the Aweful Truth Behind Africa's Elephant Poaching?

A pair of elephants in confrontation

Over three months ago, the Trump administration paused an attempt to lift the ban on importing Africa's elephants as trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe after a public outcry. But now, it appears that the administration has finally lifted the ban in secret. This was seen in an unannounced memo by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in which the agency stated that it will favor importation permits "on a case-by-case basis." It did not explain the exact guidelines by which the permits would be judged. In addition, it is also unclear what role was played in President Trump's decision, who has publicly declared his opposition many times to lift the ban as recent as late January. However, since President Trump's decision to put that move on hold, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals judged that the Obama administration did not properly observe the rules around making a new regulation, such as welcoming public comment. The ruling also discussed a lawsuit brought by Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service directly noted the court ruling in its letter, stating that as a result it was pulling out many past Endangered Species Act findings going back to 1995. In the recent memo, the agency stated that the findings "are no longer effective for making individual permit determinations for imports of those sport-hunted ESA-listed species," including not just African elephants but also South Africa's bonteboks and lions. The agency further added that it would still use some information in those findings, whenever suitable to the examination of an individual permit application. Although it did not publicly announce, news about the agency's decision arose by various media outlets.

The Trump administration quietly made its decision to import elephant trophies from Africa.

I really don't think the federal government of the United States understands the fact that hunting wild elephants for sport in their African homeland would not help in protecting and conserving them. These majestic animals' numbers continue to decline. A census revealed that their population collapsed by roughly 30 percent from 2007 to 2014 alone. Much of the decline has been due to the insatiable demand of ivory by the global criminal empire and terrorist organizations. These factions include the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Janjaweed, and Al-Shabaab who profit from elephant ivory which helps them continue their reign of terror directed at both local people and foreign nationals. Al-Shabaab was responsible for a horrific attack at a shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013 which claimed lives of 87 people, including 19 foreign nationals. I find it extremely frustrating beyond belief that the federal government and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service do not recognize that the illegal poaching of elephants and trade of their ivory tusks is more than just a conservation issue. It is also a matter of public security on both national and international levels. I also find it equally unacceptable that President Trump is keeping this controversial issue of importing elephant trophies into the U.S behind closed doors. He does not seem to understand that behind the ruthless killing of elephants for their ivory is more carnage and bloodshed directed towards innocent African and non-African civilians. It goes to show that neither he nor his administration are in good terms with both national and international conservation groups. I urge the federal government and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider its decision and actions related to this matter. Controlled hunting wild animals whose populations have plummeted dramatically in recent years will not make any difference. The main priority should be to combat the poaching of elephants and trade of their ivory tusks.

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