Part of press release from SCI...

The FWS concluded “[sport-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.

I would like to see the official USFWS documented decision an not just SCI's version. If anyone has it please post...


Thank God for once they used a little sense...

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

Hmmmm.

It basically looks like the 4(d) rule...if upheld...give the USFW to issue import permits if it chooses to and not if it chooses not to.

Did they not have that ability already? Refuse permits...

No Matt they did not as long as all was legal and in order. This rule gives them discretion on the basis of evidence that no African country can produce at this time if they choose to exercise it.

So the same deal as they have with the Marco Polo?

I can't comment on Marco Polo rules.

I guess SCI didnt screw the pooch on this after all eh?

How do you figure mate???

I am just stirring you Lane! With regard your previous comments that the lion would likely be uplisted because SCI didnt sign-on to the shootable male lion thingo.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:
I am just stirring you Lane! With regard your previous comments that the lion would likely be uplisted because SCI didnt sign-on to the shootable male lion thingo.

Read the new 4(d) rule...Matt!

They did totally screw the pooch by not signing onto it.

What's the bottom line Lane?

If you read the 4(d) rule...the current version should it be upheld...it basically gives the USF&W agency the authority to treat importation status the same as it would for endangered. We won on semantics only.

In their commentary...they clearly state that they hope the age based system is taken seriously and implemented across the ranges states.

Had everyone adopted into the suggestions of the lion scientists/LCTF and supported the Definition of a Huntable Male Lion at its inception...we may have avoided the current version of the 4(d) rule...thus insuring the ability of trophy importation thus giving stability to the industry.