Trophy hunting is a worldwide billion-dollar industry that is helping drive many threatened and endangered species to extinction. According to a recent study, 75% of trophy hunters are Americans.
The Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act (ProTECT) of 2024 (H.R. 7840) is a U.S. bill “To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking for a trophy of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife in the United States and the importation of endangered and threatened species trophies into the United States, and for other purposes.”
It was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Ms. Jackson Lee (for herself, Mr. Lieu, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Ms. Pelosi, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Norton, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Payne, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Soto, Mr. Suozzi, and Mr. Goldman of New York).
Download the bill here.
H.R.-7840-Prohibiting-Threatened-and-Endangered-Creature-Trophies-Act-ProTECT-of-2024.pdf
Press Release Announcing the Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) introduced H.R. 7795, the Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies (ProTECT) Act of 2024. This legislation would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to prohibit taking endangered or threatened species into the United States as a trophy and the importation of any such trophy into the United States. The Members provided the following statements along with the Animal Welfare Institute, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Born Free USA and American Humane, in support of this legislation:
“Killing and collecting wild animals for the purpose of displaying them as trophies is selfish and cruel, especially when these species are already at risk of extinction,” said Rep. Lieu. “We must keep up efforts in Congress to combat wildlife trafficking and conserve our beloved wildlife. I’m pleased to re-introduce the ProTECT Act with Congresswoman Jackson Lee today to protect both endangered and threatened species from becoming victim to the senseless practice of trophy hunting.”
“The conservation of endangered and threatened species is critically important to the sustainability of our ecosystem and the beauty of wildlife as we know it,” said Rep Jackson Lee. “Many people remember the horrific story of Cecil the Lion from 2015 when this majestic creature was killed simply for a trophy. This highly controversial and globally unfavored practice of hunting animals for their skins, bones, heads, and other body parts taken for sport or procurement of a souvenir, enables the killing of thousands of protected wildlife animals every year. The Endangered Species Act currently prohibits the taking and importing of endangered species in the United States, but it does not automatically extend those protections to threatened species. The ProTECT Act will ensure that the taking or importation of senseless and perilous trophy killings of any endangered or threatened species of wildlife or fish is prohibited. With growing support and awareness of the need to protect our vital wildlife, I am grateful to all those who support this legislation and I look forward continued efforts in getting this bill to the President’s desk.”
Animal Welfare Institute – Executive Director and CEO, Susan Millward
“Wild species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act are under a looming threat of extinction, and it is absurd to allow the hunting of these animals for sport,” said Susan Millward, executive director and chief executive officer of the Animal Welfare Institute. “There is no good reason to cater to the interests of wealthy hunters when the very survival of these species hangs in the balance. Thank you to Representatives Jackson Lee and Lieu for introducing the ProTECT Act, which will ensure that species under federal protection aren’t further victimized by someone looking to mount a head on a wall.”
Humane Society Legislative Fund – President, Sara Amundson
“At a time when imperiled wildlife face a multitude of extinction threats, trophy hunting runs contrary to the conservation needs of vulnerable and iconic species. Not only is this industry cruel, but it has been proven time and time again to pale in comparison to the economic impact that ecotourism brings to both local communities and wildlife. We thank Representatives Jackson Lee and Lieu for standing with the majority of Americans who oppose trophy hunting and introducing this much needed legislation.”
Born Free USA – CEO, Angela Grimes
“We welcome the reintroduction of the ProTECT Act and thank Congresswoman Jackson Lee and Congressman Lieu for spearheading this important initiative. Killing any animal for the purpose of using their body parts for display as so-called trophies is cruel and serves no purpose other than to fulfill a frivolous desire of the hunter. This unnecessary practice for human amusement and vanity harms some of the world’s most vulnerable species and impacts entire species and ecosystems. The United States is the world’s most prolific consumer of hunting trophies. We must close the door on trophy hunting of threatened and endangered species in the United States and the import of their body parts from abroad.”
American Humane – President and CEO, Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D.
“As the country’s first national animal welfare organization, we stand committed to the protection of all creatures,” said American Humane’s President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “American Humane is proud to support Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee and Rep. Ted Lieu’s efforts with the reintroduction of the ProTECT Act in extending the prohibition of trophy taking and importation of trophies of threatened species into the U.S.”
The legislation is also endorsed by Wild For Change, the Humane Society of the United States, and World Animal Protection.
Animal Welfare Institute Press Release
March 23, 2024
Washington, DC—The Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act (ProTECT Act) was reintroduced yesterday, and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) commends Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) for championing this legislation.
The ProTECT Act would prohibit importing a trophy of a species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, as well as ban the killing of a listed species for a trophy within the United States. This reflects the values of American citizens, as a poll showed that 86% of Americans oppose big game hunting.
“Wild species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act are under a looming threat of extinction, and it is absurd to allow these animals to be hunted for sport,” said Susan Millward, AWI’s executive director and chief executive officer. “There is no good reason to cater to the interests of wealthy hunters when the very survival of these species hangs in the balance. Thank you to Representatives Jackson Lee and Lieu for introducing the ProTECT Act, which will ensure that species under federal protection aren’t further victimized by someone looking to mount a head on a wall.”
There is no credible scientific evidence that trophy hunting benefits conservation. Indeed, studies have shown that charismatic species are worth more alive as tourist attractions than dead at the hands of a trophy hunter. Trophy hunting can also hurt the structure and viability of already vulnerable wild populations: Big game hunters target the largest, strongest animals for trophies, and this can result in enormous upheaval for the surviving members of the group, disrupting social bonds and behaviors and having adverse genetic impacts on the population. Many populations of targeted species are already severely depleted due to other threats, and the 100,000+ animals killed by trophy hunters each year exacerbates the problem.
The ProTECT Act would also ensure that threatened and endangered species cannot be killed for trophies on canned hunting operations within the United States. Referred to as “shooting preserves” or “game ranches,” these operations allow trophy hunters to shoot animals within fenced-in areas. While it is generally illegal to harm an ESA-listed species, the operators of these ranches receive species permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to offer such species in captive hunts. These canned hunts perpetuate the market for imperiled species’ trophies, which can encourage poaching of the animals in the wild. This runs contrary to the fundamental purpose of the ESA, which is to conserve wild species — not endanger them further by encouraging the targeting of these animals for trophies.
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION
Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institute
margie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128
