The Fish and Wildlife Service finalized new rules Friday intended to strengthen Endangered Species Act protections for threatened African elephants.
After sifting through more than 130,000 often-passionate public comments, the agency announced the rule updates that will affect trophy hunters, U.S. zoos and African nations, among others.
“Our actions today will help support range countries’ efforts to manage and conserve African elephant populations and will further protect African elephants that are imported to the United States,” FWS Director Martha Williams said in a statement.
Williams added that the agency is optimistic that “with this final rule and by continuing to work in partnership with range countries, wild African elephant populations will be sustainable into the future.”
