Huge public backlash forces Trump to put elephant trophy ban reversal ‘on hold’

Facing a huge public backlash, the President Trump has announced this Friday that his administration will put “on hold” its decision to reverse Obama-era protections for African elephants.

This week, an ABC News report caused widespread outrage after it revealed that the Trump administration was reversing a ban on big-game hunting elephant trophies. In another report this Friday from The Huffington Post, Trump rolled back protections for African lions as well.

“Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts,” Trump tweeted late Friday. “Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke. Thank you!”

Whether or not Trump’s reversal will affect the lions is not yet known.

The Trump administration initially decided to lift the ban after determining that sport hunting elephants and lions in Zimbabwe and Zambia would help conserve the species. The decision was not announced publicly and only made the news after the Safari Club International, a trophy hunting advocacy group, celebrated the decision in a press release.

We’ll update this story as it develops.

Featured image via Flickr

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.