Lawsuit Against Canned Hunting Advances

This addax is an endangered species.                          istock

An HSUS lawsuit challenging "canned" trophy hunting of three species of endangered antelope will move forward after a federal court in San Francisco on Sept. 30 rebuffed the government's attempt to dismiss it.

At the same time, the court ruled that a radical trophy hunting group—Safari Club International—is permitted to join the case in defense of shooting endangered animals within fenced enclosures for guaranteed trophies.

"Canned Hunting" Exemption to the Endangered Species Act

The case revolves around an Oct. 2, 2005, decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect only the wild members of three African antelope species—the scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle—under the Endangered Species Act. The decision exposed U.S. captive-bred animals to trophy hunters at canned hunting operations, and it created a domestic commercial market for endangered animals and their parts.

The HSUS, Defenders of Wildlife, Born Free, Kimya Institute and several individuals filed suit to challenge the agency's decision to exempt captive-bred animals. They contend that the agency's decision, which marks the first time canned-hunt facilities and trophy hunters have been exempted from the prohibition on killing and trading endangered species in the United States, violates the Endangered Species Act.

Safari Club Leading the Endangered Species Hunt

Canned hunts are generally reviled by the national hunting community, but extremist hunting groups like the Safari Club International (which represents primarily wealthy trophy hunters) staunchly defend canned hunting, include exotic animals shot at canned hunts in their record books and support the canned hunting of endangered animals.

Safari Club International has joined other litigation to defend unethical hunting and trapping practices. They recently filed papers to participate in another HSUS lawsuit that would stop the State of Minnesota from allowing leg-hold and other dangerous traps that catch endangered lynx. The group has also taken legal action to defend hunting on wildlife refuges without proper environmental review, and to promote the stocking of tame pheasants for sport hunting on Cape Cod National Seashore. Both efforts were soundly defeated by The HSUS.

Putting the Lid on Canned Hunts

There are an estimated 1,000 or more canned hunting operations in the United States alone. To kill one of the rare African antelopes, trophy hunters at canned hunt operations in the United States pay from $2,700 to $4,500.

Congress closed a tax loophole this year so that wealthy trophy hunters can no longer deduct the hunting expenses and get a free ride on the backs of American taxpayers. The change in the law is expected to save $49 million over the next decade.

The HSUS has initiated a variety of lawsuits and campaigns to put an end to these egregious hunting practices across the country and around the world—including pushing for passage of the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005. In Indiana and Oregon, The HSUS is participating in court cases to uphold each state's ban on canned hunting operations. The Fund For Animals has also brought suit to stop canned hunting of wild boar on Tioga Game Preserve in Pennsylvania. 

See the Video

Canned Hunts

Related Links

Animal Protection Litigation Section

Stop Canned Hunts

Special Report: Canned Hunts—Unfair at Any Price

Unfair Chase: Ethical Objections from Both Ends of the Spectrum

Yak in the Box

In Their Own Words: How Canned Hunting Ranches Advertise the Means to a Kill

Death on a Full Stomach: The Use of Food Plots and Feeding Stations in Captive Hunting

Why We Need the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act

What You Can Do about Canned Hunts