In Major Setback for Anti-Hunting Efforts; FWS Rejects Attempts to Stop Lion Hunting

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rejected the claim that the African lion merited listing as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. After a long and comprehensive review of the species status, which included information from the foremost lion researchers in the world, the FWS concluded that the African lion simply is not on the brink of extinction and did not merit listing as an endangered species.

The FWS concluded “[s]port-hunting was not found to be a threat to the species at this time.” This conclusion is a blow to the anti-hunting rhetoric put forward by organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and International Fund for Animal Welfare. The FWS's conclusion contradicts the assertions made by these anti-hunting organizations in the petition they filed with FWS to have the lion listed as endangered. The on the ground facts and the science simply did not support their position.

“By rejecting an endangered listing, the FWS has officially recognized the reality that the African lions are not actually on the brink of extinction. More important, today’s decision will likely help further the cooperative efforts of the African nations, and the many organizations and individuals who are working to study and ensure lion populations are sustainable today and into the future.” said Safari Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation) President Joe Hosmer. “Given the outstanding efforts of African governments in creating and maintaining protected strongholds for a large majority of the lion population, it is doubtful that the Service will be able to defend its conclusion that the lion is threatened with extinction in the foreseeable future.”

“The simple fact is the majority of lions live in protected areas. Efforts like that of the SCI Foundation play a critical role in assisting African range states utilizing best management efforts to ensure the lion has a bright future, not glossy advertisements and hyperbole. We will work with SCI Foundation to ensure the FWS is accountable to the facts and the law going forward,” said David Bernhardt, former Solicitor of the Department of the Interior.


The U.S. FWS will now collect comments from the public in response to their proposed new regulations. Conservationists around the world should be encouraged to participate in the public comment period. As the regulatory proposal moves forward, we can expect the anti-hunting and animal rights organizations to continue their calls to ignore the on the ground reality and to push for an endangered determination, which Safari Club International (SCI) and SCI Foundation will oppose.

"SCI raised over $1 million for SCI Foundation to combat the listing of the African lion as endangered. We will continue to ensure funding is available for science-based conservation of the African lion in the future,” said SCI President Craig Kauffman. “SCI is proud of our Foundation which has won this battle against anti-hunting activists.

As the FWS moves forward, the concerns of American voters must be addressed. Eighty percent (80%) of voters agree that while we care about the future of the African lion, there are higher priorities that need to be addressed in the United States.* The FWS should focus on those species found here, that the government actually has the ability to manage.

While voters recognize the importance of protecting endangered species through science based management, 81% of voters want the FWS to focus its efforts and taxpayers dollars on protecting domestic species. And for those non-domestic species, two-thirds of voters agree that we should be working under international treaties to ensure protection and global cooperation. Voters clearly want the U.S. government to work within existing international agreements instead of squandering precious resources by implementing unnecessary regulations of foreign species.*

Current Lion Facts:

1. Recent comprehensive studies of the conservation status of the African lion conclude that there are between 32,000 and 35,000 lions living in the wild in Africa.

2. According to Riggio et al. 2012, a significant 24,000 lions, which is at least 68% of the estimated total population, live in what the study terms “strongholds.” “Strongholds” are areas that are legally protected as lion habitat or where hunting is managed and that meet “the necessary requirements for [the] long-term viability” of the lion populations living there. There are at least 10 such “strongholds” in Africa, covering an area almost as large as the United States east of the Mississippi River. Riggio affirms with science that lion populations living in these areas are “large, stable, and well protected,” and the populations are therefore “likely to persist into the foreseeable future.”

3. SCI Foundation has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the development of regional and national science-based lion management plans across east and southern Africa.

4. For twelve years, SCI Foundation has supported the African Wildlife Consultative Forum, where the African lion has been a leading conservation issue, with a total investment approaching US $750,000.

* The Tarrance Group was commissioned by the Safari Club International Foundation to conduct a telephone survey with N=1,013 registered likely voters nationally. Live interviews were conducted April 28-30, 2013. Respondents were selected at random and were part of a fully representative sample reflective of the latest voter registration figures. A random sample of this type is likely to yield a margin of error of + 3.1% with a 95% confidence level.

###

Finally some good news.

Finally some sanity from US,F&W.

WOW! Fantastic news!

A big round of applause for AR's Zig Mackintosh who put so much effort into his Lion film presentation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It is up to us to prove our responsibility in the hunting of this specie.

Well done to all involved. You have really done us a all a great service.

I got the SCI email too and figured someone had posted it but wanted to make sure.

I am happily shocked by the news. I will be even more shocked if the USFWS does anything to change their attitudes and policies towards conservation hunting.

I am betting not...

a bit more info...

Breaking news: US Fish & Wildlife Service to list African lions as Threatened
Below are excerpts from the news release from US Fish and Wildlife Service indicating their intention to list African lions as threatened:
On October 29, 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule to list the African lion (Panthera leo leo) as threatened, with a 4(d) rule, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
This rule, if made final, would implement the Federal protections provided by the Act for this species. However, the proposed rule under section 4(d) of the Act will establish a permitting mechanism for the importation of sport-hunted lion trophies, provided that the lions originate from countries with a scientifically sound management plan for African lions.
A copy of the proposed rule is attached and may be found on our website on October 29, 2014, at: http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/2014/2014-25731.pdf or http://www.regulations.gov.
The proposed rule is in response to a petition received from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, the Born Free Foundation/Born Free USA, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Fund for Animals, received on March 1, 2011, requesting that the African lion subspecies be listed as endangered under the Act.
The Service is requesting scientific and commercial information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties on the status of the African lion throughout its range (please see the Information Solicited section of the published proposed rule for details on requested information). If you would like to provide comments, to allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we request that we receive information on or before January 27, 2015. You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
• Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search field, enter Docket No. FWS–R9–ES–2012–0025. Then, click the Search button. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment Now!”
• By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R9–ES–2012–0025; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.
We greatly appreciate your time and effort in lending your knowledge and experience to this important public decision-making process. For further information or if you have any questions, please contact Janine Van Norman, Chief, Branch of Foreign Species, at 703-358-2171 or at janine_vannorman@fws.gov

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
A big round of applause for AR's Zig Mackintosh who put so much effort into his Lion film presentation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Yes, well stated Andrew!
Great job Zig

From John Jackson:

This is not a victory by any means. The special rule will limit lion imports from all but a few countries where countrywide population trend data (read that to mean multiple annual surveys) demonstrate the countrywide population is increasing and, second, the expenditure of the hunting related revenue is proven to be spent directly on lion. This is like the current elephant rule that has closed Zimbabwe and Tanzania imports.

Press Release
Service Proposes Endangered Species Act Protection for the African Lion
October 27, 2014

Contacts:
Vanessa Kauffman
703-358-2138
vanessa_kauffman@fws.gov


Following a review of the best available scientific information, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed listing the African lion as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The agency’s analysis found that lions are in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future.

“The African lion – a symbol of majesty, courage and strength – faces serious threats to its long-term survival. Listing it as a threatened species will bring the full protections of U.S. law to lion conservation, allowing us to strengthen enforcement and monitoring of imports and international trade,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “It is up to all of us, not just the people of Africa, to ensure that healthy, wild populations continue to roam the savannah for generations to come.”

African lions are still found across a large range in Africa, but about 70 percent of the current African lion population exists in only 10 major strongholds.

The three main threats facing African lions at this time are habitat loss, loss of prey base, and increased human-lion conflict. Human settlements and agricultural and grazing activities have expanded into lion habitat and protected areas, putting more livestock in proximity to lions. The lion’s native prey base is hunted by humans at unsustainable levels to meet a growing demand for food for an expanding human population. As a result, lions kill more livestock, which then leads to retaliatory killings by humans.

In addition to proposing ESA protections, the Service is also proposing a rule under section 4(d) of the ESA. The rule, if finalized, will establish a permitting mechanism for the importation of sport-hunted lion trophies, provided that the lions originate from countries with a scientifically sound management plan for African lions. Sport-hunting was not found to be a threat to the species at this time.

“By providing incentives through the permitting process to countries and individuals who are actively contributing to lion conservation, the Service will be able to leverage a greater level of conservation than may otherwise be available,” said Ashe.

The ESA provides numerous benefits to foreign species, primarily by prohibiting certain activities including import, export, commercial activity, interstate commerce and foreign commerce. By regulating these activities, the United States ensures that people under the jurisdiction of the United States do not contribute to the further decline of listed species. The ESA can also generate conservation benefits such as increased awareness of listed species, research efforts to address conservation needs, or funding for in-situ conservation of the species in its range countries.

In addition, the ESA provides for limited financial assistance to develop and manage programs to conserve listed species in foreign countries, encourages conservation programs for such species, and allows for assistance for programs, such as personnel and training.

In 2011, a petition from a coalition of organizations requesting the Service to list the African lion as endangered prompted a formal review under the ESA. On November 27, 2012, the Service published a positive 90-day finding and initiated a status review of the subspecies. In this 12-month finding on the petition, the Service has determined that listing the African lion as threatened under the ESA throughout its entire range is warranted.

The Service is seeking comments from the public for 90 days regarding information pertaining to the African lion. Please go to www.regulations.gov Docket No. FWS-R9-ES-2012-0025 for additional information. The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register on October 29, 2014, comments must be received by January 27, 2015.

For more information on the African lion and the Service’s proposal, please visit http://www.fws.gov/endangered/...do/african_lion.html.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel and download photos from our Flickr page.

https://www.fws.gov/director/d...-Lion-Needs-Our-Help


Meet Service Director Dan Ashe.

The African Lion Needs Our Help

October 27, 2014

For centuries, the African lion has been the emblem of royalty – and a universal symbol of strength, nobility and power. But as powerful as lions may be, evidence shows that they need our help to survive.

The lion is part of our heritage as global citizens. Ensuring that healthy populations continue to roam the savannah is up to all of us – not just the people of Africa. That’s why today we proposed to protect the lion under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. (RELATED: What We Do for the African Lion)

Lions are still found across a large range in Africa. Although populations in protected areas of eastern and southern Africa have been relatively stable over the last three decades, lions elsewhere are suffering alarming declines.

That’s because the human population of sub-Saharan Africa is exploding – pushing settlements, grazing and agriculture into lion habitat. Even protected areas haven’t been immune. Humans are also killing the wild prey that supports lions in increasing volumes, consuming these animals and selling them as bushmeat. Faced with declining habitat and prey, desperate lions are increasingly targeting livestock and people – resulting in retaliatory killing of lions.

The human population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to more than double by 2050 – making a bad situation worse. Unless aggressive measures are taken to protect lions, their prey and habitat, the lion will likely face the threat of extinction within that time frame.


Endangered Species Act protection will allow the United States to strengthen enforcement and monitoring of imports and international trade. We’ll also be able to provide additional law enforcement and on-the-ground conservation support, in partnership with African countries and partner organizations.

We can’t succeed in sustaining lions without working with the people who share the landscape with it – and recognizing their need to feed themselves and their families. We need to work with African nations and conservation organizations to engage and empower local communities to view lions as an asset, not a liability.

For that reason, we’re also proposing an accompanying special rule that would require a permit for the import of any sport-hunted lion trophy into the country.

Lions are not in trouble because of responsible sport hunting. In fact, evidence shows that scientifically sound conservation programs that include limited, well-managed sport hunting can and do contribute to the long-term survival of the species.

U.S. hunters – the vast majority of who strongly support sustainable game management – make up a disproportionately large share of foreign hunters who book trophy hunts in Africa.

That gives us a powerful tool to support countries managing their lion populations in a sustainable manner – and a strong incentive for other nations to strengthen their management programs.

Under this special rule, we cannot and will not allow trophies into the United States from any nation whose lion conservation program fails to meet key criteria for transparency, scientific management and effectiveness.

Permits would be granted if, and only if, the trophies were taken as part of a scientific management program that provides proven benefits to the overall lion population and local communities.

We know that many people around the world care about lions, and we have a public comment period open to allow the public, partners and interested stakeholders to comment and submit additional information that will help us make the best final decision. Please visit regulations.gov to submit your comments.

In the meantime, we will continue collaborative efforts on multiple levels to protect and restore African lion populations across their range.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news...s-act-361129878.html


U.S. Government Lists African Lions as Threatened Under Endangered Species Act
Special rule establishes permitting requirements for the importation of sport-hunted lion trophies





WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the petition submitted by Born Free USA, Humane Society International (HSI), The Humane Society of the United States, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and other animal protection groups, today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed listing African lions as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Additionally, a special rule was proposed along with the listing, which requires permits for the import of sport-hunted lion trophies, which should only be issued for lions originating from countries with a scientifically sound management plan for the species. A strong permitting system is critical because the U.S. imports over half of the hundreds of lion trophies brought home by trophy hunters globally each year.

"Lion numbers have declined by more than half in the last three decades. To allow trophy hunting to continue unabated is kicking an animal while it's already down," said Jeff Flocken, North American Regional Director, International Fund for Animal Welfare. "We thank the U.S. government for acknowledging that this iconic species is in grave trouble and that unsustainable trophy hunting is a part of this problem."

In the past three decades, the number of African lions in the wild has dropped by more than 50 percent, with potentially fewer than 32,000 remaining today. A recent study found that the West African lion population is critically imperiled with roughly 400 lions in total found in only four protected areas (down from 21 in 2005). And the most current estimates state that there are little more than 2,000 lions left in Central Africa; 18,000 in East Africa and 11,000 in Southern Africa.

"Lion populations and the habitat available to them have diminished dramatically in recent years due to trophy hunting, bone trade, meat and organ consumption, disease, and agricultural expansion," noted Adam M. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Born Free USA. "Born Free and our partners on the ground in Africa will keep vigilant watch on lions and lion trade to ensure that the government's decision today enhances conservation. The lion has no margin for error."

"A threatened species listing for African lions will help ensure that American trophy hunters stop contributing to the decline of African lions," said Teresa Telecky, Director, Wildlife Department, Humane Society International. "While we are disappointed that the U.S. government appears poised to continue allowing the import of some lion trophies, it's vital that protective trophy import standards be put in place and that there will be transparency in that process. American hunters import about 400 trophies of wild lions each year, so we hope that the ESA protection will significantly curtail this destructive activity."

A 90-day public comment period on the USFWS proposed ruling will commence on October 29, 2014.

About Born Free USA
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and education, Born Free USA leads campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic "pets," trapping and fur, and the international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the mission of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free: to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation. (bornfreeusa.org; twitter.com/bornfreeusa; facebook.com/bornfreeusa.)

About Born Free Foundation
Born Free Foundation, based in England, is an international organization devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free Foundation takes action worldwide to protect threatened species, stop individual animal suffering, and keep wildlife in the wild. Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide each year. (bornfree.org.uk)

About The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization, rated most effective by our peers. For 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. We are the nation's largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 100,000 animals each year, and we prevent cruelty to millions more through our advocacy campaigns. Read more about our 60 years of transformational change for animals, and visit us online at humanesociety.org.

About Humane Society International
Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world's largest animal protection organizations. For more than 20 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org.

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
Founded in 1969, IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Photos and video available at www.ifawimages.com.

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare



RELATED LINKS
http://www.ifaw.org

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
A big round of applause for AR's Zig Mackintosh who put so much effort into his Lion film presentation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It is up to us to prove our responsibility in the hunting of this specie.

+1! Well said, Andrew.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
About Born Free USA
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and education, Born Free USA leads campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic "pets," trapping and fur, and the international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the mission of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free: to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation. (bornfreeusa.org; twitter.com/bornfreeusa; facebook.com/bornfreeusa.)

About Born Free Foundation
Born Free Foundation, based in England, is an international organization devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free Foundation takes action worldwide to protect threatened species, stop individual animal suffering, and keep wildlife in the wild. Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide each year. (bornfree.org.uk)

About The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization, rated most effective by our peers. For 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. We are the nation's largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 100,000 animals each year, and we prevent cruelty to millions more through our advocacy campaigns. Read more about our 60 years of transformational change for animals, and visit us online at humanesociety.org.

About Humane Society International
Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world's largest animal protection organizations. For more than 20 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org.

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
Founded in 1969, IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Photos and video available at www.ifawimages.com.

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare

Anybody have a link to the SCI "expose" on how much these groups actually contribute to the well being of the Lion?

I tried to find it on SCI's website but could not.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Under this special rule, we cannot and will not allow trophies into the United States from any nation whose lion conservation program fails to meet key criteria for transparency, scientific management and effectiveness.Permits would be granted if, and only if, the trophies were taken as part of a scientific management program that provides proven benefits to the overall lion population and local communities.

Classic ecological colonialism. Africans are too stupid to manage their own wildlife, so we will do it for them.

SCI should start a "racism" rant.

I just hope that listing them as threatened is not a backdoor way to ban hunting them from everywhere but RSA. Kinda like what they did with elephants this year in regards to Zim and Tanzania.

Pretty decent news for a change... it will be interesting to see the hoops the African nations who allow lion hunting and the hunters will have to jump through to get a lion imported into the states.

And many thanks and a hearty well done to those who spent time and treasure on this issue for hunters worldwide!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
From John Jackson:

This is not a victory by any means. The special rule will limit lion imports from all but a few countries where countrywide population trend data (read that to mean multiple annual surveys) demonstrate the countrywide population is increasing and, second, the expenditure of the hunting related revenue is proven to be spent directly on lion. This is like the current elephant rule that has closed Zimbabwe and Tanzania imports.

Exactly...but...better than endangered status for sure. The problem is that countries will have a difficult time meeting the minimum criteria.

I am going to have to study it a bit more to get too excited.

I would like to thank everyone who fought and continues to fight our government on this issue and most issues for that matter!


I know it's the American Government and that they can be as organized and honest as any African government, but just maybe this could be a positive to keep lions around until they are swallowed by the human tsunami.

Maybe if good science and study of their lions allows hunting, then they might do it to keep the money flowing. It could lead to more and safer populations, since they are going to be worth something to the Africans who probably love lions as much as an Idaho rancher loves, mountain lions, black and grizzly bears and of course wolves.

On the realistic side, our government is as efficient and well managed as Cameroon's on its best day, so I suspect Americans in power now or soon, will still figure a way to stop organized hunting of the lion. Still, no reason not to fight our own people on this.

Thanks for all your efforts.

Surely there will be enough room in this thread for a good old-fashioned SCI bashing?

quote:

Surely there will be enough room in this thread for a good old-fashioned SCI bashing?

Don't forget MARK SULLIVAN!

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
A big round of applause for AR's Zig Mackintosh who put so much effort into his Lion film presentation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It is up to us to prove our responsibility in the hunting of this specie.

Well DONE Zig!

Glad to see some good results come out of this.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

Surely there will be enough room in this thread for a good old-fashioned SCI bashing?

Don't forget MARK SULLIVAN!

But of course!!!

http://www.fws.gov/home/featur...AQs10-27-14Final.pdf


Link to USFWS Frequently Asked Questions (lion)and information regarding the lion permit.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
From John Jackson:

This is not a victory by any means. The special rule will limit lion imports from all but a few countries where countrywide population trend data (read that to mean multiple annual surveys) demonstrate the countrywide population is increasing and, second, the expenditure of the hunting related revenue is proven to be spent directly on lion. This is like the current elephant rule that has closed Zimbabwe and Tanzania imports.

Mr. Jines,

While not a clear victory, it is more than I had hoped for. It does give us room to work and a window for the African nations involved to get their collective act together.

I see this as a glass half full situation and hopefully it will improve.

Jeff

Mister?

I agree with you. Nowadays if things turn out to be not as bad as they could have been we treat the situation as a victory . . .

http://www.huntingreport.com/w...te.cfm?articleid=685



Lion Listed as Threatened, Plus Safari Operators Indicted

(posted October 28, 2014)

USFWS Proposes Listing African Lion as Threatened



This morning the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced it is proposing the listing of the African lion as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) with a special rule that would limit import of trophies to countries where it is demonstrated to (1) be sustainable and (2) enhance the survival of the species. An import permit would be required of all sporthunted trophies imported to the US under the new listing and special rule.

The announcement was made by US Fish and Wildlife Service Director, Dan Ashe during a media teleconference attended by Conservation Force and The Hunting Report.

The Director made it clear that loss of habitat and prey due to human population growth and conflict is the threat to the lion, but that it is not endangered because of "strongholds" that still exist. He also noted that regulated sporthunting is not among the threats to lion.

Despite that, hunters should not interpret this development as a victory. The special rule will limit lion imports from all but a few countries where countrywide population trend data (read that to mean multiple annual surveys) demonstrate the countrywide population is increasing and, second, the expenditure of the hunting related revenue is proven to be spent directly on lion. This is like the current elephant rule that has closed Zimbabwe and Tanzania imports.

The proposed finding and trophy import rule will be published in the Federal Register this Wednesday. That is when the 90-day comment period on the proposal will begin. It will be at least a year, if adopted, before a final decision will be made and 30 to 90 days then before it would be made effective. At the earliest hunters would not be affected until sometime in 2016.

We will send out the finding and proposal Wednesday once it is posted to the Federal Registry.

By Barbara Crown, Editor in Chief, The Hunting Report and John J. Jackson, III of Conservation Force

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Mister?

I agree with you. Nowadays if things turn out to be not as bad as they could have been we treat the situation as a victory . . .

The key to happiness in dealing with the USFWS and marriage is lowered expectations.

Jeff

Where is the "like" button
Fantastic news, we get to hunt a little longer and maybe now that data can be used to reopen cats in Zambia and Botswana.

I remain cautiously optimistic.

It is all important that the antis have not managed to sway solid research or statistics with their bullshit.

Does this mean I can afford a lion hunt now?

Safari Club International Frequently Asked Questions about
the Recent Fish and Wildlife Service Lion Decision

On October 27, 2014, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) announced its long-awaited decision about whether the African lion should be listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). A summary of its decision and of its potential effects on hunters is provided by Safari Club International (“SCI”) for its members below in a question and answer format.

What did the FWS decide?

The FWS decided four things.

First, the FWS decided that the lion is not endangered. Under the ESA, a species is endangered only if it is on the brink of extinction. This decision was a defeat for the anti-hunting groups that had petitioned the FWS to list the lion as endangered.

Second, the FWS decided to propose that the lion be listed as threatened. Under the ESA, a species is threatened if it is not currently on the brink of extinction, but is “likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.” SCI disagrees with this decision because the FWS reached this conclusion notwithstanding the fact that 70% of the lion population lives in what are termed “strongholds” in eastern and southern Africa and the protections afforded by the “strongholds” have kept the lion populations in those areas relatively stable for the last three decades.

Third, the FWS decided that lion hunting is “not … a threat to the species at this time,” and that well-managed hunting can provide important conservation benefits for the lion. According to the FWS, the lion is threatened due to a rapidly increasing human population in Africa, which leads to habitat loss, loss of prey-base, and increased lion-human conflict, usually in the form of killings in retaliation for lion attacks on livestock.

Fourth, the FWS decided to propose what is known as a 4(d) rule for the lion. The rule, if finalized, “will establish a permitting mechanism to allow importation of sport-hunted African lion trophies into the United States provided that they are established as originating from countries with a scientifically sound management plan for the African lion.” The implementation of this rule will be of vital concern to hunters, and SCI will vigorously work to modify it to ensure hunters’ ability to import lions from Africa.

How will the FWS’s decision affect lion hunts booked for 2014 or 2015?

The FWS’s decision will not affect those hunts in any way. The FWS’s decision will affect lion hunts in 2016 and beyond only if the proposed listing as threatened and the proposed 4(d) rule are finalized, which will not occur for at least one year. SCI and SCIF will provide comments to the FWS on both proposals, and will keep you informed of any developments in the rulemaking.

If finalized, how will the 4(d) rule affect the importation of hunted African lion trophies for 2016 and beyond?

If finalized, the 4(d) rule will require a hunter to have a permit from the FWS before he or she can import a lion trophy into the United States. The FWS will issue a permit only if the lion is taken from a country that has an “effective lion conservation program,” as determined by the FWS. The FWS claims that, once it has determined that a country has an effective program, it will be able to process permit applications within 30 to 60 days. However, based upon the experiences of SCI members with the permit application process for the importation of other species, some skepticism is in order.

Has the FWS identified any countries with “effective lion conservation programs”?

No. The FWS claims that it currently lacks the information necessary to make any such identifications, although it acknowledges that “many of the range countries have implemented or will implement best management practices.” “Effective lion conservation programs” will be expected to address: lion population levels and trends, the biological needs of the lion, quotas, management practices, legal protection, local community involvement, and use of hunting fees for conservation.

If hunting is not a threat to the lion, why does the FWS believe a 4(d) rule that regulates the importation of trophies is necessary?

The FWS believes that hunting is a source of significant revenue for the range states, and that by regulating the importation of lion trophies, it will give the range states a strong incentive to develop and maintain “effective lion conservation programs.” SCI and the American public believe that this ecological imperialism is unnecessary and the FWS should be working within the international treaty system instead of acting unilaterally.

How will the FWS’s adoption of a 4(d) rule affect the importation of trophies from lion populations in South Africa hunting preserves?

As far as can be determined at this point, the 4(d) rule will apply to the importation of trophies from captive lion populations. However, the FWS specifically states in the proposed rule that the ESA focuses on conservation of lions in their native ecosystems. SCI is very concerned that FWS will use this rule as an excuse to stop importations from hunting preserves. SCI will be working to modify the 4(d) rule to make sure that lions imported from hunting preserves are not subject to the ESA permitting process.

Has the FWS required permits for the importation of trophies of other threatened species besides the lion?

Yes. The FWS requires a permit to import African elephants, leopards, straight-horned markhors, argali and bonteboks. However, many of these species are permitted under rules that are far more hunter-friendly than the proposed lion rule. SCI will be pushing to modify the lion rule to more closely resemble these other rules.

How can I help as an SCI member?

Donations to the Fighting for Lions Campaign (www.fightingforlions.org) will assist SCI in its efforts to develop comments on the FWS’s proposed listing and proposed 4(d) rule that will insure that the decisions are not finalized, or that, if they are, that the 4(d) rule will be workable and properly recognize the conservation efforts of the range states. SCI will also be working closely with the range states to update and improve their lion conservation programs.

For additional information, please contact Nelson Freeman at nfreeman@safariclub.org.

The 4(d) rule if upheld...basically gives the the USFW discretion to issue permits if they se fit.

quote:

We can’t succeed in sustaining lions without working with the people who share the landscape with it – and recognizing their need to feed themselves and their families. We need to work with African nations and conservation organizations to engage and empower local communities to view lions as an asset, not a liability.

How can this possibly be accomplished if the FWS won't allow trophy importation? What value will the "local communities" place on any lion if that lion has no value to hunters? The only value I can see that a local lion may have is as "medicine" or meat, neither of which will contribute anything to lion survival, the African nation, or to the local community. Reading that press release as a whole makes me think somebody speaks with forked tongue.
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https://www.federalregister.go...s-as-threatened-with


Link has interesting information regarding trophy hunting quotas and importation by country.