Tanzania Elephant Hunting Season Saved By Conservation Force

In Tanzania, a snafu with US Fish & Wildlife Service almost shut down elephant trophy imports from that country this season. Seems the Service decided it needed to make a non-detriment finding for elephant from Tanzania for the 2008 season and sent a questionnaire to the appropriate authorities there back in 2007. Tanzania responded, sending the required information back to the Service's Division of Management Authority, who then failed to share it with the Division of Scientific Authority who also must weigh in on the non-detriment finding. It was not until some weeks before the hunting season was to start on July 1 that Tanzania discovered the Service would not issue import permits to American hunters. Tanzania requires hunters to have an import permit in hand before they go afield to hunt elephant. Americans going after elephant in that country without an import permit are hunting illegally. Although the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism waived that requirement until things could be straightened out, elephant imports were in jeopardy due to the Service's own error.

Thanks to the efforts of John J. Jackson, III, of Conservation Force, the issue was resolved by press time. Jackson single-handedly got the Service focused on resolving its mistake and saved 2008 elephant imports from Tanzania. If you have taken, or plan to take, an elephant in Tanzania this season and you have not made a contribution to Conservation Force, do it now. Just go to the web site and click on Donations.

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