Stop All Exotic Animal Trophies From Entering the United States

Every year trophy hunters kill thousands of exotic, endangered animals of many different species, in foreign countries, primarily in Africa. The hunters seek to kill the most beautiful, the biggest and the rarest. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows importation only for scientific research, enhanced propagation or species survival, but U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), who implement the ESA, loosely interpret “enhancement” to include trophy hunting of protected species. Hunters take advantage of loopholes to bring “trophies” across the U.S. border, under the guise of scientific research and other permits for exemption. This petition is to find and close any loopholes, and stop entry into the U.S. of all animal trophies – mounted or unmounted.