Update on UK Parliament Possible Ban on African Lion Trophies

I've posted previously about push in the UK for Parliament to ban the import of African lion trophies. Andrew Turner MP (Isle of Wight) debated the issue in Parliament on November 17, 2010. Here's the latest response from the UK Government, dated December 20, 2010:


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Dear Andrew:

Thank you for raising your and others’ concerns about the sustainability of African lion populations in the wild and in particular questions pertaining to lion trophy hunting during our Westminster Hall debate on 17th November 2010. Thank you also for your letter of 6 December providing further thoughts on the issue.

 As I hope was apparent, I share your concerns and as promised, I am writing to set out the Government’s proposed action to address those concerns. As I made clear during the debate, the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) seeks to ensure that trade is sustainable and does not threaten the survival of a species in the wild. It does not seek to simply ban trade and has little remit over domestic trade.

 You have set out very clearly fears that although hunting of lions and the resulting trophies may be perfectly legal, the way in which the individual targets of those hunts are selected may be placing individual populations under increasing strain. My officials are seeking the reaction of Tanzania to these claims, as this country was the subject of concerns raised in a BBC article and recent study. Unless we receive compelling reassurance to this enquiry we will seek to gain the support of the EU to raise this at the next CITES Animals Committee with a view to seeking a Review of Significant Trade. Subject to the response from Tanzania and the views of the UK’s statutory scientific authority, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, such a review could be widened to include all lions. We could either take this action ourselves or, if we can reach agreement, though a like-minded lion range state. Such a review should lead to corrective actions where necessary or, if the necessary assurances or actions are not forthcoming, to trade restrictions. 

I cannot prejudge the outcome of our investigations but I assure you I will not hesitate to press for whatever action is necessary should your concerns be confirmed.

 Yours ever, Richard Benyon MP

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Below are my reactions and questions (in bold) to Mr. Benyon's responses. Please note that any references to “trophies” means any African lion parts.

Mr. Benyon: "As I made clear during the debate, the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) seeks to ensure that trade is sustainable and does not threaten the survival of a species in the wild. It does not seek to simply ban trade and has little remit over domestic trade."

KCR: The waterfall effect of trade on species must be taken into consideration. The ban of African lion trophies will serve to deter hunters whose primary goal is to return home with a trophy. 

Mr. Benyon’s statement that CITES “seeks to ensure that trade … does not threaten the survival of a species in the wild.” is exactly what Mr. Turner and lion conservationists are seeking. This trade issue does in fact directly threaten the survival of the African lion species in the wild and is applicable here. Placing a ban on lion trophies will directly dissuade those individuals who participate in sport hunting simply for the purpose of returning with a trophy.

Mr. Benyon: "My officials are seeking the reaction of Tanzania to these claims, as this country was the subject of concerns raised in a BBC article and recent study."

KCR: Why would Tanzania's reaction be a deciding factor in this matter? While they deserve credit for being forthcoming in their disclosure (unlike Zimbabwe and Zambia), Tanzania is still allowing too many lions to be killed for sport hunting. Secondly, most countries in Africa where lion sport hunting is lucrative will push to continue allowing sport hunting.  It is doubtful in my opinion that their primary consideration is the welfare of the African lion species. The fact that Tanzania was the subject of a BBC article and recently study does not make them the authority on African lion issues (although they certainly would have an interest, along with most countries in Africa where lions can still be found).
 

Mr. Benyon: "Unless we receive compelling reassurance to this enquiry we will seek to gain the support of the EU to raise this at the next CITES Animals Committee with a view to seeking a Review of Significant Trade." 

KCR: What signifies "compelling reassurance" in this scenario? The next CITES Animals Committee meeting is July 18-22 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. It’s my hope that Mr. Benyon and his colleagues will increase their efforts to ban the import of lion trophies. In addition, CITES should immediately reclassify the African lion as ENDANGERED.

The sad reality is that if this does not occur, the issue of banning lion trophies may become moot as there will be no more lions in the wild.

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Animals Matter.