Title: We Should Prohibit Wildlife Trophy Imports
Subtitle: A Fight for Conservation, Biodiversity, and Justice
Presented by: GROUP 5

DEFINITIONS

• Wildlife Trophy: A part of a hunted animal, such as a head, skin, tusks, or horns, kept as a souvenir. Trophy Import: The act of bringing these animal parts into a country from hunting expeditions abroad.

What are Wildlife Trophies?

• When we talk about wildlife trophies – like a lion's head on a wall or elephant tusks on display – it's important to remember that these were once parts of living, breathing animals. These aren't just decorations; they represent the end of an individual animal's life.
• Heads and horns (e.g., deer, antelope, bighorn sheep) Skins and hides (e.g., lions, bears, zebras) Antlers (e.g., elk, moose) Tusks and teeth (e.g., elephants, walruses) Sometimes, it might even be a full-body mount of the animal.

KEY ARGUMENTS

• Conservation Undermined
• Biodiversity at Risk
• Corruption
• Accelerated Extinction

WILD LIFE TROPHY

• The practice of collecting trophies has a long history, dating back centuries, when hunting was often a symbol of power, wealth, and skill.
• The practice of collecting trophies has a long history, dating back centuries, when hunting was often a symbol of power, wealth, and skill. It's important to distinguish between: Legal trophy hunting: Conducted under government regulations, with permits and quotas. Illegal poaching: The unlawful killing of animals, often for profit, which is a major threat to many species.

The Animals Involved in Trophy Hunting

• A wide variety of animals are targeted for trophy hunting around the world. Some of the most commonly hunted include: Large carnivores: Lions, bears, leopards Ungulates (hoofed animals): Deer, elk, sheep, antelope Big game animals in Africa: Elephants, rhinos (though heavily restricted), buffalo The specific animals hunted vary depending on the location and regulations.
• It's crucial to understand that many of these animals are already facing other threats, such as: Habitat loss: As human populations grow, wild animal habitats are destroyed for farming, development, and logging. Climate change: Changing weather patterns can disrupt ecosystems and make it harder for animals to survive. Trophy hunting adds another layer of pressure on these populations.

Where Does Trophy Hunting Occur?

• Trophy hunting is a global practice, but it's particularly prevalent in certain regions: Africa: Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa allow trophy hunting of big game animals. North America: Hunting of deer, elk, bears, and other species is common in some parts of the United States and Canada. Asia: Some countries allow hunting of certain species, though regulations vary widely.
• The regulations and management of trophy hunting differ significantly from country to country, which raises concerns about consistency and effectiveness.

The regulations and management of trophy hunting differ significantly from country to country, which raises concerns about consistency and effectiveness.

It Undermines Conservation

Untitled Slide

Corruption

It Fuels Extinction

Rebuttal

• What they say: "We shouldn't prohibit trophy hunting because it helps conservation, controls animal populations, and brings income to local people." Our rebuttal: Most profits stay with private companies and foreign hunters—not locals. Conservation is harmed, not helped, when top animals are removed. Controlling populations can be done humanely and scientifically without sport hunting. Eco-tourism is a better solution that doesn’t involve killing animals for fun.

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• When we look at why people want wildlife trophies, it often comes down to the desire to have a symbol of dominance over nature and a specific animal. Is this really a healthy or respectful way to interact with the natural world? Does the personal satisfaction of the hunter outweigh the loss of an individual animal and the potential risks to its species? Perhaps we should be focusing on ways to appreciate and protect wildlife without causing them harm.

Conclusion

• In summary: Trophy hunting causes more harm than good. It endangers wildlife, damages ecosystems, fuels corruption, and speeds up extinction. We should prohibit trophy hunting to protect our planet’s future, not decorate walls. Let’s choose life over luxury.