SAN FRANCISCO – A federal court in San Francisco has rebuffed the government's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the "canned" trophy hunting on fenced U.S. ranches of three rare species of antelope that are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulation at issue in the case is the first of its kind and promotes the flawed logic that the conservation of endangered species is dependent on killing them, setting a very dangerous precedent. The court also granted leave for a radical trophy hunting group – Safari Club International – to join the case to defend the practice of shooting endangered animals within fenced enclosures for guaranteed trophies.
"The only thing more outrageous than the government's decision to authorize drive-thru killing of endangered species is the Safari Club's rush to defend it," said Michael Markarian, HSUS executive vice president. "Canned hunting is not sport, and certainly not conservation, and we are delighted that the court has brought us one step closer to ending this inhumane and unsportsmanlike practice."
The suit was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, Born Free, Kimya Institute and several individuals, to challenge a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision allowing three critically endangered African antelope species – the scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle – to be hunted for trophies at fenced "game" ranches in Texas, Florida and other states. The agency also allows endangered antelope "trophies" to be sold in the U.S. and abroad. The plaintiffs contend that the agency's decision, which marks the first time trophy hunters have been exempted from the prohibition on killing endangered species, violates the Endangered Species Act.
"It is unconscionable that the hunting industry would undermine global conservation efforts for sport and profit," noted Adam Roberts, vice president of Born Free. "Creating a market for the trophy of any endangered species spurs demand and encourages illegal poaching of the species in its native range," added Kris Genovese, associate international counsel at Defenders of Wildlife.
Canned hunts are generally reviled by the hunting community nationwide for violating the principle of fair chase. The Boone and Crockett Club and the Pope and Young Club, which maintain trophy records for big game hunting, will not consider animals shot at canned hunts for inclusion on their record lists. Nevertheless, extremist hunting groups like the Safari Club International – which represents primarily wealthy trophy hunters – staunchly defend canned hunting, include exotic animal trophies shot at canned hunts in their record books, and even support the canned hunting of endangered animals.
Safari Club awards include "Cats of the World," for which a trophy hunter must kill four of the big cats, such as a lion, leopard, cheetah and jaguar. "Bears of the World" requires the killing of four species, such as a polar bear, grizzly bear, black bear and Eurasian brown bear. The "African Big Five" requires a leopard, elephant, lion, rhino and buffalo. Add a hippo and crocodile to that list and you can also have the "Dangerous Game of Africa." The "African 29" requires an arrangement of impala, gazelle, pygmy antelope, eland, oryx, waterbuck, wildebeest and others. To complete all 35 "Grand Slam" and "Inner Circle" award categories at the "Diamond" level, a Safari Club hunter must kill hundreds of animals of different species and subspecies.
Canned hunts have proliferated over the past decade, with an estimated 1,000 or more operations in the United States alone. Hunting guides escort their clients to feeding and watering stations where the semi-tame prey proves an easy target. Since the land is fenced, the animals have no chance for escape, and many operations offer "No Kill, No Pay" guarantees.
The plaintiffs are represented in the case by the public-interest law firms Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, Washington, D.C., and Evans & Page, San Francisco, California.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing nearly 10 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
