Success: Nation Bans Trophy Hunting

Target: Cristiana Pașca Palmer, Romanian Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests

Goal: Praise recent nationwide ban on hunting of vulnerable “trophy animals.”

Romania has outlawed the hunting of a number of large carnivore species, giving these vulnerable animals protection from poachers. Under the country’s new law, it is now illegal to hunt brown bears, lynx, wolves, and wild cats–creatures known as “trophy animals.” Trophy hunting has been the subject of multiple ForceChange petitions, such as the ones seen here and here.

The recent move came about in response to the growing problem of over-hunting that began when Romania joined the European Union nine years ago.  Since that time, trophy hunting has become a multi-million euro industry. In 2016 alone, hunting quotas gave hunters the right to kill 600 wolves, 550 bears, and 500 big cats.

According to the Romanian government, such excessive hunting was possible through a loophole in the legal system that allows hunters to kill wild animals if they posed a threat to humans. This vague and unclear clause had been abused by greedy hunters, but now the government has intervened and taken action to save these animals.

Trophy hunting has long been decried as a selfish and inhumane act. Sign the petition below to thank the government for taking action to save vulnerable animals.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Ms. Palmer,

I am writing to applaud your government’s recent decision to ban trophy hunting. For too long, greedy hunters have taken advantage of a legal loophole as they slaughtered thousands of innocent creatures. Bears, wolves, lynx, and other wild cats deserve protection and should not be hunted for sport, and your government’s firm ruling will help protect these valuable animals from an unnecessary and untimely death.

With this ban, you send the message that Romania will no longer tolerate miscreants who bend the rules to suit their own selfish needs. Thank you for your commitment to protecting these animals, and I wish you the best of luck in enforcing this new measure.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Lisa Hupp