Bill > HR1934

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to comprehensively prohibit trophy hunting and trophy imports for both endangered and threatened species in the United States. Specifically, the bill makes it illegal for any person under U.S. jurisdiction to take or import trophies of threatened species, which are defined as whole dead animals or recognizable parts obtained through hunting licenses or authorizations. The legislation is motivated by findings that trophy hunting can harm wildlife populations by removing strong breeding males, increasing genetic vulnerability, and potentially encouraging poaching. The bill also recognizes that legal wildlife trade can inadvertently support illegal wildlife trafficking networks, which are estimated to be worth up to $20 billion annually. Currently, the Endangered Species Act provides protections for endangered species but does not automatically extend the same safeguards to threatened species, which this bill aims to address. The proposed changes would prevent the Secretary of the Interior from issuing permits for trophy hunting or importing trophies of listed species, with narrow exceptions for antiques, thereby providing more comprehensive protection for vulnerable wildlife populations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1934/all-info