Call for Hunters Affected by New USFWS Elephant Rule

SCI members planning to hunt elephant can assist in SCI’s challenge to the new U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) elephant trophy import rule by providing information to SCI’s Legal Advocacy team. The new rule affects all elephants hunted as of May 1, 2024, and is likely to cause more unnecessary permitting delays for elephant trophies from across southern Africa.

SCI reported on the new rule earlier this year (Safari Club International Opposes Final USFWS African Elephant Import Rule). On April 4, SCI notified USFWS of its intent to sue (SCI Launches Lawsuit Against U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Elephant Rule). This notice warns USFWS that the new rule violates its obligations under the Endangered Species Act.

In preparation for a potential suit against USFWS, SCI is seeking assistance from members affected by the new rule for use in court. SCI members with scheduled elephant hunts can contact SCI’s litigation team to provide relevant information. Please send an email to [email protected]. Provide your name, the country you are hunting and when your safari will take place. A member of SCI’s Legal Advocacy team will then contact you if a declaration might assist SCI’s litigation.

For a full report on the new elephant rule, see the upcoming May issue of SCI’s membership newspaper, Safari Times.