South Africa's lion hunting industry to be hit by new US protections which may reduce clients

[happyslug]

18. This was discussed last week.. From a New York Times article

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141293684

Here is the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) actual listing for African Lions:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-31958.pdf

From that listing, as to Southern Africa Lions (P. l. melanochaita):

Management programs for P. l. melanochaita would be expected to address, but are not limited to, evaluating population levels and trends; the biological needs of the species; quotas; management practices; legal protection; local community involvement; and use of hunting fees for conservation. In evaluating these factors, we will work closely with the range countries and interested parties to obtain the information. By allowing entry into the United States of P. l. melanochaita trophies from range countries that have science-based management programs, we anticipate that other range countries would be encouraged to adopt and financially support the sustainable management of lions that benefits both the species and local communities. In addition to addressing the biological needs of the subspecies, a scientifically based management program would provide economic incentives for local communities to protect and expand P. l. melanochaita habitat.

As stated, under this 4(d) rule any person wishing to conduct an otherwise prohibited activity, including all imports of P. l. melanochaita specimens, must first obtain a permit under 50 CFR 17.32. As with all permit applications submitted under 50 CFR 17.32, the individual requesting authorization to import a sport-hunted trophy of P. l. melanochaita bears the burden of providing information in their application showing that the activity meets the requirements for issuance criteria under 50 CFR 17.32. In some cases for imports, such as sport-hunted trophies, it is not always possible for the applicant to provide all of the necessary information needed by the Service to make a positive determination under the Act to authorize the activity. For the import of sport-hunted trophies of P. l. melanochaita, the Service will typically consult with the range country to the extent practicable and other interested parties to obtain necessary information. The Service has the discretion to make the required findings on sport-hunted trophy imports of P. l. melanochaita on a country-wide basis, although individual import permits will be evaluated and issued or denied for each applicant. While the Service may make enhancement findings for sport-hunted trophy imports of P. l. melanochaita on a country-wide basis, the Service encourages the submission of information from individual applicants. We would rely on the information available to the Service and may rely on information from sources other than the applicant when making a permitting decision.

The difference is important, see 50 CFR § 17.32:

§ 17.32 Permits—general.
Upon receipt of a complete application the Director may issue a permit for any activity otherwise prohibited with regard to threatened wildlife.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/50/17.32

Now the regulations go on and mention "scientific purposes, or the enhancement of propagation or survival, or economic hardship, or zoological exhibition, or educational purposes, or special purposes consistent with the purposes of the Act." but that is vague enough for any hunter to get a permit to import an "Threatened Species" except those under special rules 17.40 through 17.48 (Which includes the "Special Rules" for Elephants, Grizzly bears and some other "Threatened" Species but NOT lions).

Special Rules 50 CFR § 17.40:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/50/17.40