US Fish & Wildlife Service: Lion Not An Endangered Species

[AFRICAN INDABA]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rejected the claim that the African lion merits listing as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. After a long and comprehensive review of the species status, which included information from the foremost lion researchers in the world, the FWS concluded that the African lion simply is not on the brink of extinction and did not merit listing as an endangered species. Nevertheless the lion will be listed as “threatened” due to a rapidly increasing human population in Africa, which leads to habitat loss, loss of prey-base, and increased lion-human conflict, usually in the form of killings in retaliation for lion attacks on livestock. The FWS decided that lion hunting is “not … a threat to the species at this time,” and that well-managed hunting can provide important conservation benefits for the lion.

This decision is a blow to US anti-hunting organizations which are fighting for an import ban of lion hunting trophies. However, according to Safari Club International eighty percent of US voters agree that while they care about the future of the African lion, there are higher priorities that need to be addressed in the United States. The FWS should focus on those species found here, that the government actually has the ability to manage.

Links for more information:
Service Proposes Endangered Species Act Protection for the African Lion
USFWS Proposed Lion Rule– How Does This Affect Me as a Hunter?
SCI Foundation: In Major Setback for Anti-Hunting Efforts; FWS Rejects Attempts to Stop Lion Hunting

Author: Rolf D Baldus

 

[sierraone]

I may never have the opportunity to hunt an African lion, but this appears to be great news for hunters everywhere.

 

[slad68]

Hope it lasts longer than the last time.

 

[ikeda]

Yet we have an import ban on Elephant from Zim. ?????
Morons!

 

[lwaters]

In my opinion the US managing other countries wildlife is like is Zim. trying to tell me how to manage the deer on my farm in Kansas.

 

[johnnyblues]

Still that's great news. A glimmer of hope. I am thinking of a lion hunt in several years it will have to be in SA "free range" hunt's are out of my budget for sure.

 

[enysse]

I wouldn't feel comfortable with anything the USFWS posts, it's just marketing BS. They have the right today, right now to open legal elephant export out of Africa to the USA. And yet they do nothing. I DONT TRUST THEM, this is what happens when government has too much power

 

[ScottG]

Seems like a step in the right direction. Let's hope it continues.

 

[johnnyblues]

Seems like a step in the right direction. Let's hope it continues.

I agree...

 

[johnnyblues]

In my opinion the US managing other countries wildlife is like is Zim. trying to tell me how to manage the deer on my farm in Kansas.

Great point.

 

[ScottG]

In my opinion the US managing other countries wildlife is like is Zim. trying to tell me how to manage the deer on my farm in Kansas.

They don't offer any help with a solution, just stopping American hunters from importing. We are supporting and helping by bringing millions into these countries. I'd at least have some respect if they were stepping up with money or resources to help with the problems. They are just satisfying the anti hunting groups at election time.