Congress is once more contemplating a ban on importing looking trophies from Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Republicans and Democrats alike have championed such import bans up to now. Supporters declare a ban will preserve wildlife by discouraging Individuals from touring to Africa and killing wildebeests, zebras, elephants and different charismatic megafauna. However banning trophy looking may do extra hurt than good for these species and their habitats.
When correctly regulated, trophy looking—particularly by Individuals—is a considerable supply of conservation funding in Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Whereas the administration of trophy looking will be improved in some situations, an outright ban on trophy imports may have the alternative of its supposed impact, doubtlessly putting African wildlife at elevated threat of extinction from its main threats of habitat loss and poaching. Till viable alternate options to trophy looking are developed, Congress ought to abandon plans to limit hunting-trophy imports.
