News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: pressinfo@safariclub.org
December 28, 2015
How The New U.S. Rules Will Affect Lion
Trophy Importation Into The U.S.
TUCSON, AZ – Safari Club International is doing everything possible to help members and all
hunters in the face of changing U.S. Government decisions that affect the importation of lion
trophies from Africa to the United States. Below is a summary of the new rules.
New Rules Affect Hunts on or after January 22, 2016.
New U.S. rules affect the importation of any trophy from an African lion harvested on or after
January 22, 2016. The rules were issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Special U.S. import required.
Lions from southern and eastern African countries are considered “threatened with extinction.”
You cannot import a trophy into the U.S. without first getting a U.S. import permit, in addition to
a CITES export permit. According to the rule, as of 2013 legal trophy hunting occurred in five
southern and eastern African countries: Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and
Zimbabwe.
Lions in western and central Africa are considered “endangered.” According to the rule, as of
2013 legal trophy hunting occurred in three of these countries: Benin, Burkina Faso and CAR.
Although the U.S. has the authority to issue permits for imports of endangered species for
scientific research and enhancement of the survival of the species, they rarely do so.
The U.S. is not ready to issue trophy importation permits at this time.
Before it will issue permits for importation of trophies from lions in southern and eastern Africa,
the U.S. will have to make a determination that the hunting of the lion and the importation of the
trophy into the U.S. will “enhance the survival” of lions in the wild. The U.S. will most likely
make this determination on a country-by-country basis.
Although the U.S. rule says that trophy hunting of lions can enhance the survival of the species,
it finds that mismanagement of trophy hunting in some areas has led to unsustainable lion
hunting. The U.S provides specifics about the problems that it found and makes suggestions for
improvements in the management of lion hunting. This indicates the kinds of information and the
types of management changes that the U.S. will need to see before it will issue permits. Since
some of the changes that the US seeks could require major changes in the existing lion hunting
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structure in some countries, it is difficult to predict when and if the U.S. will receive the
information it needs to satisfy its enhancement of survival requirements.
Captive-bred lions are also listed.
Captive-bred lions are covered by the U.S. rule. According to the rule, close to 90% of the
trophies imported from Africa into the U.S. in 2013 (approximately 547 out of 629) were from
lions bred and hunted in captivity in South Africa.
Permits for captive-bred lion trophies likely to be difficult to obtain.
The new rule makes clear that the U.S. does not intend to issue importation permits for captivebred lions until it can be demonstrated that their hunting and importation enhances the survival
of wild lions. The U.S. is currently of the opinion that captive-bred lion hunting and importation
does not enhance species survival in the wild. The rulemaking says:
“We do not believe that the captive-lion industry currently … reduces, or removes threats
to the species.” … While it is argued that South Africa’s captive-bred lion industry may
reduce pressures of trophy hunting on wild South African populations, there is no
substantial or peer-reviewed science to support such a claim. Likewise, there is no record
or evidence to support claims that the captive-bred lion industry is supporting
reintroduction into the wild in any significant way.
Lions harvested before January 22, 2016.
According to the U.S. rule, lions harvested before January 22, 2016 will not need a U.S.
importation permit. Hunters should ensure that they document the date when they harvested
their lion. This can be done with a hunting license, notarized letter, or similar official
documentation that proves the lion was harvested before January 22, 2016.
Previously booked lion hunts.
Hunters who have lion hunts booked for dates from January 22, 2016 forward will need to obtain
permits to import any lions successfully taken during these upcoming planned hunts. Since it
presently is unclear if, when and from which countries the U.S. will issue importation permits in
the future, SCI advises hunters to contact their outfitters to discuss their options.
What is SCI doing to protect its members’ interests?
SCI’s advocacy experts, including legislative, policy and legal staff, are carefully reviewing the
rule to analyze strategies for potentially 1) expediting the US government’s receipt of
information necessary to issue permits; 2) facilitating communication between range countries
and the U.S. government on lion management and conservation issues; and 3) challenging
aspects of the rule. SCI will continue to update its membership on the progress of its efforts.
For updates, please follow SCI’s advocacy blog.
The entire 229-page U.S. rule can be read here.
The U.S. government has prepared a Fact Sheet (FAQ) on its lion rule that appears here.
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Safari Club International – First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.
SCI’s approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of
cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups,
research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife
management and conservation. Visit the home page www.safariclub.org, or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.
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