The Trump administration will reportedly allow for trophies of elephants legally hunted in Africa to be imported into the US, lifting a ban imposed during Barack Obama's presidency.
The move has caused sharp criticism among environmental protection groups that have warned of increased poaching and accused the US leader of disrupting efforts to end the global ivory trade.
"Let's be clear: elephants are on the list of threatened species; the global community has rallied to stem the ivory trade; and now, the US government is giving American trophy hunters the green light to kill them," Wayne Pacelle, the CEO of an animal rights organization, the Humane Society, said, as cited by Business Insider.
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, African elephants are considered endangered and are included in the "threatened" section of the Endangered Species Act.
How can anyone who claims to be human look at this family and want to kill them? SAVE THE ELEPHANTS, don't let shithead trump open the gates of even more slaughter! pic.twitter.com/f2OaOsaSdg
— GrandmaSheila🇮🇪🌋 (@Grandma_Shelia) 16 ноября 2017 г.
Ending the ban on importing elephant hunt trophies perfectly encapsulates the corruption, nepotism and vileness of the Trump Administration in one action. pic.twitter.com/mo4HJkqr7z
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) 16 ноября 2017 г.
The fact that Trump has lifted President Obama's ban on elephant trophies being imported into the country is a devastating blow to the survival of these beautiful animals. It's savage and pointless. It breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/iclfxN6TXr
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) 16 ноября 2017 г.
Just read that Trump is legalizing trophy hunting of endangered African elephants.. Just in case you needed another reason to hate him.
— Chris Webby (@ChrisWebby) 16 ноября 2017 г.
😢😠 @POTUS @realDonaldTrump #Trump to allow imports of African elephant trophies
— ♛Luciana P Fellini♛ (@LucianaPatrizia) 16 ноября 2017 г.
"Was this a gift to your son? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU RESPECT ON THIS EARTH BUT YOUR EGO & WANTS?"#Pompous#Pretentious #Arrogant#Egotistical#SelfServing#Bullying pic.twitter.com/dUAPBNujLC