U​nited States Government - Ban trophy hunting of endangered species in the United States and ban the import of a trophy of any species listed under the Endangered Species Act! Support the ProTECT Act!

The ProTECT Act, (Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies) will prohibit trophy hunting of endangered species in the United States and import of any trophy of a species listed under the Endangered Species Act.  

Because the ProTECT Act (The Prohibiting of Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act) has not been introduced in the U.S. federal government, which would protect innocent endangered wildlife from being hunted, many endangered species have lost their lives and many continue to lose their lives. 

According to the CITES (Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) database, between 2014-2018 almost 125,000 trophies of PROTECTED species were imported, with the largest trophy hunt importer being the United States. 

Every life counts.  Every voice matters.  

According to a 2022 survey, more than 75% of Americans oppose trophy hunting and 82% oppose the hunting and import of lions and African elephants, both of which are listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Sign this petition asking the United States government to introduce the ProTECT Act to ban trophy hunts of endangered species and ask our lawmakers to defund trophy hunting import permits sold here in America.

How did we get here?

Many species are threatened with extinction and as trophy hunting continues to be allowed, endangered species will not have a chance for survival.

When looking specifically at wild elephants, just one hundred years ago, the global elephant population was approximately 3-5 million.  After decades of poaching and hunting, the current elephant population is estimated at 415,000. 

To further this point, we are currently in the world’s sixth mass extinction.  The first five mass extinctions were all-natural phenomena. This current extinction is almost exclusively due to humans. Dozens of species are going extinct every day and it is predicted by 2050, 30-50% of all species will be extinct.  

As we are experiencing massive climate change, elephants and other keystone species who are endangered are part of the SOLUTION to climate change.  Elephants alone store large amounts of carbon on their bodies.  According to a BBC report, the African elephant can sequester up to 9,5000 metric tons per year which is equivalent to emissions from over 2,000 cars. 

Elephants are just one prime example of wildlife who help in the production of oxygen for the planet.  When elephants eat plant life, they then disperse the seeds as they migrate.  This dispersal of seeds allows for plant life to grow in different regions, providing the planet with more oxygen. 

Hunting of keystone species, like the elephant, only hurts us and the planet. Their sheer existence supports, contributes, and maintains the biodiversity of ecosystems that in turn supports the health of our planet. An ecosystem that is rich in biodiversity produces more oxygen and sequesters carbon.  

We are actually benefiting from the presence of elephants and other wildlife without even realizing it!!

Please sign and share this petition to help end trophy hunting of endangered species, we have so much to lose if we do not take action.  

To help make a bigger impact, you can call your federal representative and senators, asking them to support the Protect Act. To find your federal legislators, go to www.openstates.org.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Nicole @WildForChange

Photo by @ Game Animals of the Past and Present