Trophy hunting is legal in many countries. Between 2005 and 2014, more than 1.26 million wildlife trophies were imported to the U.S, according to a report by Humane Society International. Many of the trophies imported from the continent of Africa are ranked as Vulnerable or Threatened endangered species lists. SPCA International is firmly against trophy hunting and supports a full ban on the hunting or importing of animal parts from species on endangered species lists.
Trophy hunting is the hunting of wild animals for sport, not for food. Usually, the animal is stuffed or a body part is kept for display. Most trophy hunters come from rich countries and pay high fees for their hunts.
Many hunters claim that trophy hunting isn’t bad for animals. They say they are supporting animal conservation. The opposite is true, live animals support the population of their species.
Lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo, from Africa, are some of the most expensive and popular animals targeted in trophy hunting. However, thousands of black bears, wildebeest, impala, fowl, and other animals are also killed each year for sport.