USFWS Seizing Namibian Leopard Trophies

(posted September 12, 2011)

The newest wrinkle in the trophy import crisis created by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the seizure of leopard trophies from Namibia. The reason given is that the information on the CITES tags was hand engraved and not stamped.

According to John Meehan of Fauna & Flora Customhouse Brokerage, USFWS seized two Namibian leopard trophies last week claiming that the tags did not meet CITES regulations because the quota information was hand etched onto the tag. Meehan says he was told, "A decision has been made that this does not comply with CITES." He says the two shipments had been on hold for some time awaiting a decision from USFWS Headquarters; then last week, the two legally-taken trophies were seized.

We checked with John J. Jackson, III, of Conservation Force, who immediately looked at the CITES regulations (Res. 10.14 and Rev. COP 14) and the USFWS 2007 code governing what should be on leopard tags. Both are identical and merely say the information should be "indicated" on the tag. It does not specify either the quality or the kind of indication. It appears the insistence that it be printed in a particular way is beyond the regulation and completely arbitrary.

Jackson will be looking into this issue further and says he will provide a report on the problem in the upcoming October issue of World Conservation Force Bulletin, delivered with your Hunting Report Newsletter. For now, hunters planning to import a leopard from Namibia should contact their shipping broker and check how their CITES tag is completed. If your tag has been engraved rather than stamped, you should hold your trophy in Namibia until this new requirement has been addressed by Namibian authorities. We will keep you posted on any further developments.

quote:

CITES regulations (Res. 10.14 and Rev. COP 14) and the USFWS 2007 code governing what should be on leopard tags. Both are identical and merely say the information should be "indicated" on the tag. It does not specify either the quality or the kind of indication. It appears the insistence that it be printed in a particular way is beyond the regulation and completely arbitrary.

Oh, for pity sakes! Psychos!

The inmates ARE running the asylum.

This is a case where USF&W employees are given too much freedom to make a decision. There should not be any individual interpretation of trhe written law. The folks making these decisions should be fired on the spot.

What

Why am I not surprised? USFWS needs a half hitch jerked in their ass!!!

After reading about this last Thursday and not knowing for certain where my leopard was, I found out today that it's safe with the shipper. Optimistic folks think this paperwork issue could be resolved within two weeks. I'll believe it when I see it. Wonder if there is any hope for the hunters who had their cats seized? I certainly hope so.

Our government at work. Unbelievable!

Are there certain entry points (ie. New York) that trophy seizures are more common? Does anyone know where the most "hunter friendly" import locations into the US are located?

Pete

new york is most common, chicago least

A friend in Atlanta area had a choice on his fully mounted Leopard....ship it back to RSA or have it confisticated.....the Leopard was legally harvested in ZAM, shipped to taxidermist in RSA, legally imported in RSA, taxidermy completed and shipped to ATL....FWS did not like the "tag".....it is currently in process of being reshipped from RSA after friend got a "new" CITES permit and taxidermist got replacement tag from Zambia,original lost by RSA officials in their importing processes....we shall see if he gets his Leopard this time....

That is ridiculous and suit should be brought to bare against the USF&W and those involved. They are playing a game, and it's called Bull Shit

Crap,

Heading to Namibia end of October for leopard among other things and since I live in NJ, I use F&F for importation.

Assuming we are successful, I'll have to make sure my leopard stays there until this gets sorted out.

Thanks for the info.