WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The administration of President Donald Trump has officially lifted a ban on bringing to the United States the remains of elephants hunted in Zimbabwe within a specified three-year time period.
Based on findings about the elephant population, the US government will consider applications to ship in trophies obtained during the time period determined by the authorities to "have met the enhancement requirement."
Former President Barack Obama suspended imports of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe in 2014, because elephants were included in a list of endangered species and protected under appropriate laws, with the ban not restricting US hunters from visiting the African country and taking part in hunting the animals.
READ MORE: Trump's Plans to Import Elephant Trophies to US Galvanizes Activists
The Trump administration has also decided to reverse the policy on trade of animal trophies in Zambia. After media has revealed Trump's plan to lift the ban, it has been widely criticized by the general public and environmental protection groups, who had accused the US leader of disrupting efforts to end the global ivory trade.
Elephants are magnificent creatures, they are gentle giants of the African landscape. Elephants are an endangered species, and we should not allow their trophies into the US. It makes me sad to know that people go to such lengths to kill & profit from them. #BeKindToElephants pic.twitter.com/QauMPQH1PM
— Raven Roth 🌊🦃🌲🥂🐰📞💻📱 (@PinkRavenRoth) 17 ноября 2017 г.
An appreciation post to one of the most majestic animals on this planet, elephants must be protected at all costs. The Trump administration has reversed a ban that will now allow the import of elephant trophies in the US. pic.twitter.com/kjVrMwNLny
— Simar (@sahluwal) 17 ноября 2017 г.
@realDonaldTrump Mr. President — I voted for you even though I wasn't completely happy with a lot of the things you've done — but repealing the ban on allowing elephant trophies to be brought into the United States has me crushed. They have the right to live as we all do!
— Juanita Spears (@juancats) 17 ноября 2017 г.
According to the great elephant census of 2016, the overall population of elephants in Zimbabwe was down 6 percent and down 74 percent within Sebungwe region.
