This bill seeks to outlaw California hunters from importing or possessing select animal species they lawfully harvested in African nations. While regulated hunting is a critical tool to balance wildlife populations with habitat, this bill would also take time and resources away from California game wardens’ mission to protect our native wildlife. California already has one of the lowest numbers of wardens per capita of any state. California legislators should let African nations manage their own wildlife and instead focus on protecting our own state’s wildlife resources. Hunters don’t recognize us.... We’re supposed to get 5 percent: we don’t even see that.”Hunters rob communities of the opportunity to establish a sustainable wildlife-viewing industry, which would truly protect these awe-inspiring animals.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 22, 2020 09:56 UTC