PROHIBIT TAXIDERMY OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES FOR TROPHY HUNTERS
- by: simone ewart
- recipient: African Govenrment and United Nations
PROHIBIT TAXIDERMY OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES
Taxidermy is legal in some African countries (such as Namibia) as well as in other countries, and is proven to be very popular amongst hunters. If the ghoulish practice of taxidermy is banned worldwide regarding endangered species, as well as those considered vulnerable or threatened, then trophy hunters and others would be denied the trophies being made from dead animals. Thus, laws prohibiting taxidermy of endangered and vulnerable species would decrease trophy hunting from the barbaric individuals whose selfish motives are only to have parts of dead corpses on display for their own gratification.
Compounding the problem is that it is nearly impossible to have agreement of all global airlines and couriers to ban trophy shipments, which may include endangered animals as trophies. Custom laws and border checking procedures also may vary among countries worldwide, making it difficult to properly monitor. The better approach for animal protection and conservation is to stop trophies from being made. If hunting endangered species and other big game is truly for conservation reasons as proclaimed by hunters and supportive organizations, then there is no need to have trophies. This ban would also result in helping to stop illegal poaching/ hunting, since the animals are often hunted for the sole purpose to become an object of display.
Safari Club International and other trophy hunting organizations promote trophy hunting by attempting to use conservation efforts as their rationale. If this theory held true, then we would not have even more endangered species, which are growing at alarming rates. Their logic is faulty as killing endangered species (and those on the brink of being classified as such) decreases animal numbers, instead of increasing them. Gene pools are also diminished; due to fewer animals to reproduce, as well as often the prime males are the targeted. Local communities are also not the ones financially benefiting from the hunting of the animals since the landowner and safari hunting guides pocket the profit. Also, entire ecosystems are also jeopardized. It is not just one animal of one species that is killed, but entire future generations of the species contributing to risk of extinction; which thereby also threatens the survival of other species. Lastly, if this theory was true, there would not be a demand for taxidermy services by hunters.
Only museums and other legal educational facilities need taxidermy services regarding endangered species when the animal has died from natural causes, unrelated to poaching or hunting.
PROHIBIT TAXIDERMY OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES
Taxidermy is legal in some African countries (such as Namibia) as well as in other countries, and is proven to be very popular amongst hunters. If the ghoulish practice of taxidermy is banned worldwide regarding endangered species, as well as those considered vulnerable or threatened, then trophy hunters and others would be denied the trophies being made from dead animals. Thus, laws prohibiting taxidermy of endangered and vulnerable species would decrease trophy hunting from the barbaric individuals whose selfish motives are only to have parts of dead corpses on display for their own gratification.
Compounding the problem is that it is nearly impossible to have agreement of all global airlines and couriers to ban trophy shipments, which may include endangered animals as trophies. Custom laws and border checking procedures also may vary among countries worldwide, making it difficult to properly monitor. The better approach for animal protection and conservation is to stop trophies from being made. If hunting endangered species and other big game is truly for conservation reasons as proclaimed by hunters and supportive organizations, then there is no need to have trophies. This ban would also result in helping to stop illegal poaching/ hunting, since the animals are often hunted for the sole purpose to become an object of display.
Safari Club International and other trophy hunting organizations promote trophy hunting by attempting to use conservation efforts as their rationale. If this theory held true, then we would not have even more endangered species, which are growing at alarming rates. Their logic is faulty as killing endangered species (and those on the brink of being classified as such) decreases animal numbers, instead of increasing them. Gene pools are also diminished; due to fewer animals to reproduce, as well as often the prime males are the targeted. Local communities are also not the ones financially benefiting from the hunting of the animals since the landowner and safari hunting guides pocket the profit. Also, entire ecosystems are also jeopardized. It is not just one animal of one species that is killed, but entire future generations of the species contributing to risk of extinction; which thereby also threatens the survival of other species. Lastly, if this theory was true, there would not be a such a large demand for taxidermy services by hunters.
Only museums and other legal educational facilities need taxidermy services regarding endangered species when the animal has died from natural causes, unrelated to poaching or hunting.
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