Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) is cosponsoring the Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large (CECIL) Animal Trophies Act (H.R. 3526), the Global Anti-Poaching Act (H.R. 2494), and the Targeted Use of Sanctions for Killing Elephants and Rhinoceros (TUSKER) Act (H.R. 1945) to stop the killing of species proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered.

“Threatened or endangered species should not be killed for sport,” DelBene said. “With recent events, it has become clear that poaching, though illegal, is an ongoing crisis affecting thousands of animals every year. As the second-largest market for a nearly $10 billion illegal trade in endangered wildlife products, the United States has an obligation to end illegal trafficking, and I will continue working with my colleagues to conserve and protect wildlife around the globe.”

The CECIL Animal Trophies Act, introduced by Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), is named after the African lion shot in July. The bill would extend trophy import and export protections to species proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act, instead of only those officially listed as having protected status, unless a permit is issued by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

The Global Anti-Poaching Act, introduced by Ed Royce (CA-39), would allow prosecution for wildlife trafficking under various federal statutes, and would steer financial penalties from trafficking crimes to be used for conservation purposes. It would also authorize the Department of Defense to provide training and equipment to fight poaching in high-risk areas around the world.

The TUSKER Act, introduced by Peter DeFazio (OR-04), would impose trade sanctions on countries that facilitate ivory and rhino horn trafficking in support of crime and terrorist organizations.

DelBene also signed a letter to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Dan Ashe, expressing support for finalizing a rule that would close loopholes enabling illegal ivory from reaching the U.S. market. 

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