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Adds a new subsection (h) titled 'Trophies' making it unlawful to (1) take for a trophy within the United States or the territorial sea any species of fish or wildlife listed under section 4 as a threatened species, and (2) import into the United States any trophy of any species of fish or wildlife listed under section 4 as a threatened species.
Modifies paragraph (1) to insert qualifying language ('Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, ...') and adds a new paragraph (3) that prohibits the Secretary from permitting or otherwise allowing taking for a trophy of any species of fish or wildlife listed under section 4 or importing into the United States any trophy of any species of fish or wildlife listed under section 4, notwithstanding section 9(b).
Amends the antiques provision (paragraph (1) of subsection (h)) by adding '9(h)(2)' to the list of sections that do not apply to antiques.
Redesignates existing paragraph (21) as paragraph (22) and inserts a new paragraph (21) defining the term 'trophy' as a whole dead animal, or a readily recognizable part or derivative of an animal, that is raw, processed, or manufactured, and was obtained under a hunting license or other authorization issued by any State, foreign government, or private landowner.
Stops the taking and importing of hunting trophies from species listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. It bars the Interior Department from issuing permits that would allow these trophy hunts or imports, adds a clear statutory definition of “trophy,” and updates the antiques exception so it cannot be used to bypass the new trophy restrictions. It is based on findings that trophy hunting can harm at‑risk species by removing strong breeding animals, may spur more poaching, and that legal trade can mask illegal wildlife trade. Existing protections for endangered species remain; this expands protections specifically for threatened species when it comes to trophy hunting and trophies.
Trophy hunting of imperiled species undermines conservation because hunters often target the biggest, strongest males, and removing those animals can decrease genetic variation, reduce reproduction, change social structures, increase infanticide, and cause unnatural evolutionary effects.
When trophy hunting of imperiled species is allowed, poaching activity increases, which further threatens the survival of wildlife populations.
Legal trade in wildlife parts and products can provide cover for illegal markets; illegal wildlife trade is valued at up to $20,000,000,000 per year and is run by criminal networks tied to other transnational crimes like narcotics, weapons, and human trafficking.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 currently prohibits the take and import of species listed as endangered, but those protections do not automatically extend to species listed as threatened.
It is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take for a trophy within the United States or the territorial sea of the United States any species of fish or wildlife listed under section 4 as a threatened species.
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Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced March 6, 2025 by Ted Lieu · Last progress March 6, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House