A Texas couple was arrested for selling protected wildlife, marking the first case in the U.S. filed under The Big Cat Act.
On Wednesday, 29-year-old Rafael Gutierrez-Galvan and his wife Deyanira Garza, 28, had their initial court appearances in McAllen, as U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced.
Based on the criminal complaint, Gutierrez-Galvan was accused of selling a Margay cub for $7,500 in a parking lot of a local Academy Sports and Outdoors on Aug. 24. Later on Sept. 26, he tried to sell a Jaguar cub to the same buyer. He instructed his wife to bring a case filled with cash from their home to the meeting point. However, the police stopped her on the way and found the money.
According to the criminal complaint, Rafael Gutierrez-Galvan tried to sell this Jaguar cub. Credit: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Neither Gutierrez-Galvan or Garza possess a license to buy, sell, trade or transport exotic animals such as Margays and Jaguars, federal authorities said.
In December 2022, the Big Cat Act was put into effect, which made it illegal to import, transport, sell or possess any wildlife species that are prohibited. This includes Jaguars, which are considered a prohibited species.
The rescued Margay cub. Credit: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Gutierrez-Galvan and Garza face up to five years in federal prison and a possible $20,000 maximum fine if convicted.
Authorities said they were able to recover both animals in the case.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
A new animal welfare law in Spain outlaws the use of animals for recreational activities that cause them pain and suffering but allows bullfights and hunting with dogs.
A new animal welfare law in Spain outlaws the use of animals for recreational activities that cause them pain and suffering – but allows bullfights and hunting with dogs.
Spain’s first specific animal rights legislation, which came into force on Friday, is intended to crack down on abuses.
The law particularly targets the mistreatment of domestic animals, introducing fines of up to 200,000 euro (£173,000).
It bans the buying of pets in stores or online, but gives stores a grace period to find homes for their animals.
Bullfights are regarded as part of Spain’s cultural heritage. A proposal to include hunting dogs in the law prompted an outcry in some rural communities, and the government backed down.
Editors Note: The new animal welfare law in Spain outlaws the use of animals for recreational activities that cause them pain and suffering – SURELY bullfighting and hunting with dogs is a recreational activity!!!
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
You can support our work by donating as little as £5 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need. Please donate below.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
We are holding a virtual sponsored walk for Batel throughout October 2023 to help raise some much-needed funds for his massive vet bills.
We hope you will all take part!
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❤ The rules ❤
Simply walk a mile a day (or whatever is manageable for you and your dog) every day in October.
You can collect sponsorship from your friends, family, and Facebook groups or simply make an affordable donation yourself.
We want to flood the feeds with videos and pictures of you all taking part so PLEASE send us videos of your dogs out having fun in honour of our best boy Batel.
This is open to all pet parents and all species of animals. If they enjoy going for a walk of any kind, then they can get involved.
Please share this event for Batel with the hashtag #WalkForBatel. He really needs our help.
Batel’s Story …….
Batel’s battle started around 2 years ago in Egypt.
He had been horrifically abused having had his paws cut off.
He was rescued and brought to the UK as a Miracle’s Mission dog.
He has been a really medically complex dog both orthopaedically and due to his ongoing chronic renal issues.
Batel has been on the brink of death many times. Not once has he lost the will or the love of life.
He is such a happy boy who exudes joy and fun.
His quality of life has and does remain really high.
He recently underwent a lifesaving amputation to his previously mutilated stump. He is recovering really well from this and has already developed a new way of walking, sitting, and resting in light of his current level of disability.
Batel never gives up. He just adapts, he does it all with a smile on his face.
You can email info@miraclesmission.org or message us with any questions/ queries and to submit videos of your walks.
To make a general donation for Batel please use PayPal info@miraclesmission.org and reference Batel.
To find out more about the amazing work that we do please visit Miracle’s Mission
Join Danny and all of Batel’s friends and family for Batel’s Walk
Animal rescue charities need our help more than ever now. Rising costs coupled with low donations and no government funding etc. coming in are hitting us really hard.
Some of the amazingly brave animals that Miracle’s Mission have helped over the years
Since starting Protect All Wildlife over 10 years ago I have managed to raise over £100,000 for various animal charities including Lions, Elephants, Gorillas, Animal Rescues and victims/survivors of the Australian wildfires etc. With the support of my wonderful followers, friends and family I have been able to do this by doing various charity fundraising events including a 15,000 foot skydive, doing a 10km run dressed as an Elephant, a Tough Mudder assault course and several auctions of items very kindly donated by fellow animal lovers.
Being able to help animal charities in this way has at times given me the motivation to carry on. I have suffered on and off with depression for 30 years or so and at times have had to force myself to get out of bed in the morning. Apart from my mental nursing, animal activism has given me a mission in life – to help those less fortunate in whatever way. As you are probably aware, I became the (very proud) Patron of Miracle’s Mission four years ago. Miracle’s Mission are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of sick injured and disabled animals. They also operate a Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) centres in Borneo and Egypt. They receive no government funding whatsoever and rely totally on donations and volunteers to keep going. The cost of running an animal rescue is high, however the running costs of a specialist rescue service like Miracle’s Mission is even costlier.
When rescues come to Miracle’s Mission they often can’t walk & need surgery. With your help we are able to treat & rehabilitate them. But with vet fees, physio costs, specialist mobility equipment and food/heating etc it is VERY costly to keep going. PLEASE help us treat MANY more animals by donating ANY amount, large or small. EVERY penny counts.
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to do a ‘proper’ fundraising event because in the last year I have not been very well, lacking energy and losing about a stone in weight. I put it down to having long covid after catching covid in October last year. However, it transpired that I actually have cancer of the stomach. My treatment has just started and consists of 4 chemotherapy cycles over 8 weeks then if the tumour has shrunk enough I will have an operation to remove all of my stomach. My oesophagus will then be connected to my small intestine. The recovery period from my stomach operation will be in the region of 4 to 5 months.
So I have come up with a very bizarre charity fundraiser to help the rescues at Miracle’s Mission. I am not sure how ethical it is but here I go – a sponsored CHARITY CANCER TREATMENT FUNDRAISER FOR RESCUE ANIMALS. Knowing that the rescue is still receiving much-needed funds will let me concentrate 100% on MY recovery, something that I have neglected over the years. It would be amazing if you sponsor (donate) ANY amount large or small.
Thank you in advance for your support, it is really appreciated. Please share with friends and family. Thank you for your incredible support, it is REALLY appreciated. Best wishes, Paul. 🐾
My Chemotherapy journey has started at York District Hospital
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP RESCUE ANIMALS
You can support our work by donating as little as £1 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping rescue animals in need.
World Rhino Day helps us to understand how these animals are struggling to survive and how they are endangered. We should find ways to save them from becoming extinct.
Here is a small collection of thought provoking poems.
Get Together! (Protect The Rhino) by Kitty Lam.
Sometimes I wish that I wasn’t born with a tall, magnificent, towering horn Because I might be killed soon while my horn were torn. Every 8 hours, one of us is dreadfully killed, Only to make their dream fulfilled?
If I were to say we’re nothing special, we’re just like you it’s just not fair. And if I say our horns are made like your nails and your hair. Would people still kill us or let us be free? Maybe they’ll laugh, as you can see.
We’re neither for sale, nor for medicine or as your house souvenirs. I don’t want to be a display and stay there for years! How can it be a work that they’re so proud of? Then does that mean we’re just “stuff”?
There are not many of us now, only 5 species left and yes it is true. White, Black, Greater One- Horned, Sumatran and Javan too. However, I’m afraid that one day we’ll be gone, And by then whom will they look upon?
I know by far that many of you had protected us, and gave us support. Though is it not enough to reach the hunter’s heart? Don’t you think that we’ve had enough? We have to stay strong and tough.
This is why we need your help, to spread the word and show us you care. Help us make a difference, since we are considered as rare. I want us to all get together and to be a part of this. For a happy future that you’ll never miss!
On Seeing A Documentary On Black Rhino by Francis Duggan.
The poachers only shoot them for their horn And they even kill the young and newly born And their numbers in the wild State only few And their last hope of survival now the zoo.
It’s sad to think that African tribal child May not now see black rhino in the wild May live his whole lifetime and never see Black rhino on savanna living free.
Some men don’t kill to eat they kill for greed And only think of their financial need For cash reward rich dealers they supply And Rhino for their horn condemned to die.
The Black Rhino in Africa now so few And some were flown to Australia to Dubbo Zoo In hope they might breed in captivity At least of poachers guns they now are free.
I watched a program on them on T.V. And I felt sad so sad at what I see To think that men would shoot them for their horn And even kill their young and newly born.
Blankets For Baby Rhinos by Anne Moth.
I wear black for the rhinos killed and maimed For what men do they should be so ashamed They take the lives of creatures wild and free For Gods sake will you listen, leave them be.
I wear black for the orphans left behind Because of cruelty caused by some of mankind The babies left behind, they have no mums Evil men shot and killed them with their guns.
I wear black for the stupidity of man’s greed The ones who plant the ever growing evil seed Saying horn so good, it’ll make you strong If only people listened because it is so wrong.
When all the rhinos are allowed to thrive and live For that wonderful day my very soul I’d give Until that day the clothes upon my back Will have no colour, I’ll be the woman dressed in black!
Son by Ray Dearlove.
As we wander through the glade I watch my first born, searching for shade Soon it will be night With the full moon burning bright.
No natural enemies on the plains Certainly confident, perhaps a little vain So little but already has the strut Superior to all animals, no ifs, no buts.
The moon is high, it could be daytime I am blessed with my little man, approaching his prime I feel the pain before I hear the shot A deep burning pain in my side, burning hot.
My son runs towards me, terrified I breathe hard, running for the forest, must hide We crash through the bushes, through the trees More shots, so close, when will it cease.
Deep in the bush we stop, searching for a thicket of thorns All these people want is my horns Why must they kill me to win their gory prize I wish that mine were not such a great size.
I lay down to rest, my boy by my side We must be deathly quiet and hide How long can I withstand this terrible pain I must rise, I stand, but then I fall again.
We stumble a few steps, him nuzzling my neck Sobbing, crying, am I ok, he wants to check My world goes dark and black Someone, anyone, please save my son from this cruel attack.
One Rhino by Tessa Botha
One Rhino Two horns Sitting atop its head Two eyes Resting on its face Two tons Of a big body One rhino Grazing.
One bullet Entering the thick grey skin One Rhino Crashing To the dirt underneath its feet Blood dripping down.
One rhino gone Away from its family Away from its home. One rhino that was killed for its horns One rhino that was taken to Asia Made into medicine Curing nothing.
One rhino wasted One horn made of keratin One head full of hair made of keratin Two different things made of one Both not able to cure anything But one still being used Being hurt Being killed All for nothing!
Leave Us Alone by Nobby Clarke.
PLEASE leave us alone we are tired of running and all we want to do is roam. Our horn is useless so the experts have said. Remember there will be no more horn left once all my family are dead!
RHINOS ARE IN DANGER , AND WE MUST ACT!
Save Rhino slogans are powerful phrases that unite us to save these magnificent creatures. With poaching and habitat loss threatening their existence, it’s time to take a stand.
“Save the Rhino, Save the World” and “Protect Rhinos, Save Tomorrow” are rallying cries that spread awareness and inspire action. Let’s come together and be their guardians.
Say no to ivory and support conservation efforts. “Rhinos Deserve a Future” – let’s make it happen! Together, we can ensure these gentle giants continue to thrive on our planet for generations to come. Join the movement and save the rhinos now!
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WILDLIFE
You can support ‘Protect All Wildlife’ by donating as little as £1 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need. Please donate below.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
In a press statement Thursday, the animal rights organization said the Waccatee Zoo in Horry County will be permanently closed. Additionally, as part of the settlement, per PETA, the operators of the South Carolina facility are banned from owning or exhibiting wild or exotic animals, breeding domestic animals, exploiting domestic animals for profit, and working or volunteering at other roadside zoos.
In its lawsuit filed under the federal Endangered Species Act and South Carolina’s public nuisance law in April 2022, PETA described Waccatee Zoo as “one of the worst roadside zoos in America.” The complaint alleged the zoo’s operators confined and exhibited more than 460 animals and that the facility’s conditions deprived them of “adequate veterinary care, shelter, food, and water.”
An attorney for the Waccatee Zoo and the defendants, Reese Boyd III, told theMyrtle Beach Sun News that the lawsuit has been settled and the facility will be shut down. He said that his client’s agreement to the settlement terms was not an admission “to the exploitation of animals in their care” – adding that a number of PETA’s accusations were “factually untrue,” per the newspaper.
PETA also said in the lawsuit that it regularly received complaints about Waccatee from zoo visitors.
“Day after day, animals at Waccatee sway and pace back and forth—unnatural behaviors that signify the animals’ needs are not being met,” read PETA’s lawsuit. “Many animals experience negative stress due to small, insufficiently enriched spaces that provide little to do, offer inadequate opportunities to socialize, and are affirmatively dangerous.”
The lawsuit cited the case of Lila, a tiger who either died in late 2020 or 2021, saying that she “became so emaciated that much of her skeleton—including her vertebrae, scapula, shoulder, hip, and other joints—was visible through her skin.” The complaint also alleged that other animals at the zoo experienced hair loss and emaciation—adding that “isolated, frustrated, and bored animals exhibit alarming and repetitive behavior, indicating that they are experiencing psychological distress.”
Emaciated Lila suddenly disappeared resulting in PETA asking for a necropsy report.
Lila passed away after a fall from old age, zoo owner Jeff Futrell said.
According to a letter PETA sent to Waccatee Zoo on Feb. 25, the organization wanted answers to the whereabouts of Lila after she was the subject of a PETA campaign because of her ill health.
“After months of wasting away, losing fur, and turning in endless circles in her dismal cage, Lila has disappeared—and PETA is asking whether she died, in pain and in the cold, and if her death is being covered up,” says PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Michelle Sinnott. “Nothing can undo Lila’s suffering, and PETA is calling on Waccatee Zoo to release the other big cats before they suffer as she did.”
And now, PETA is asking the owners of the zoo to release the necropsy report.
In a press statement, Brittany Peet, PETA’s general counsel for captive animal law enforcement, responded to the settlement: “This victory blocks Waccatee’s operators from ever again mistreating wild animals as they did for decades. PETA is delighted to see the survivors thriving in their new sanctuary home and will continue to ask everyone to help us advocate for all animals still trapped in roadside zoos by never patronizing such operations.
In May, PETA and The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) rescued nine remaining animals left at the Waccatee Zoo. Among the animals retrieved were a llama, two North American black bears, and six emus. PETA said the rescued animals would head to a TWAS sanctuary in Colorado.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WILDLIFE
You can support ‘Protect All Wildlife’ by donating as little as £1 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need. Please donate below.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
The South Plateau project proposes to clearcut more than 5,500 acres of pine forest in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest. The project also calls for logging on an additional 9,000 acres and bulldozing up to 56 miles of roads, many through mature, old-growth forests.
“This reckless project was approved without considering its threats to Grizzly Bears, Lynx, and other wildlife,” said Kristine Akland, Northern Rockies director and senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The fragile Yellowstone ecosystem surrounding this iconic national park is vital for Montana’s rich biodiversity and climate. This project must be stopped before our beautiful backcountry forests are bulldozed.”
The Forest Service approved the logging project without identifying the locations, timing or scope of the logging units or roads. Instead, the agency said it will make those decisions when crews are on the ground, which inhibits analysis of potential harm to protected species and prevents public involvement.
“The Forest Service needs to drop the South Plateau project and quit clearcutting old-growth forests,” said Mike Garrity, executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. “Especially clearcutting and bulldozing new logging roads in grizzly habitat on the border of Yellowstone National Park.”
“Clearcutting high-elevation lodgepole forests across thousands of acres is not going to improve ecological conditions and will not help protect communities from wildfire as the Forest Service claims,” said Adam Rissien, a rewilding advocate at WildEarth Guardians. “Rather, this is another misguided, old-style timber sale that will undermine the forest’s ability to store carbon.”
The project allows for significantly more logging and road building than is authorized by the Custer-Gallatin Forest plan. The notice also says that the South Plateau project will destroy and remove thousands of acres of habitat for Grizzly Bears and Lynx, which are both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
You can support ‘Protect All Wildlife’ by donating as little as £1 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need. Please donate below.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
In May 2019, Botswana’s President Masisi justified the decision to recommence trophy hunting by emphasising that local communities will be guaranteed more than just menial jobs and enjoy sustainable wildlife management’s economic benefits.
A Bull Elephant shot in Botswana – a so-called ‘100 pounder’.
As the passage of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill moves to the Committee Stage of the House of Lords, a suite of amendments has been tabled for deliberation. These amendments include amending the Bill from a blanket ban to a case-by-case assessment of trophies imported into the United Kingdom based on whether they contribute to the conservation of wildlife and human economic upliftment.
For example: Amendment Clause 2(d) states that hunting imports may only be granted if:
“a hunting area where the hunting operator can demonstrate that financial or non-financial benefits of trophy hunting materially contributes to the conservation of the trophy hunted species, including habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and support for community livelihoods.”
A Shopping List For Trophy Hunters
At face value, this appears to be equitable. Ignoring the obvious ethical dispute, if trophy hunting can be proven to benefit the conservation of wildlife and human livelihoods, then perhaps it may be a case to consider. However, the problem in the majority of trophy hunting cases, and in most countries where trophy hunting takes place, the activity not only is wholly unable to benefit wildlife and human communities, but precipitates the opposite.
Botswana, one of the major destinations for trophy hunters, is a particular case in point.
The southern African nation has been promoted by some in the House of Lords as an example of a trophy hunting ‘success.’ So much so that a high-level delegation of government officials from Botswana, including a minister, an ambassador and a wildlife department head of authority were invited to the House of Lords in June 2023 to make a case for the benefits of trophy hunting in their country. Yet, serious questions surround Botswana’s ability to adequately regulate trophy hunting and provide any meaningful benefits for communities living among and alongside wildlife.
Field investigations, in-person interviews and literature, financial audit, international policy document reviews have been undertaken over the course of a year to assess the validity that Botswana can provide meaningful and tangible benefits to its wildlife and people. This is a summary of the results:
On an international level, the country has been flagged for non-compliance under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) due to its failure to submit annual reports, which provide crucial information for validating offtake of elephants for trophies for the international trophy trade. This indicates that the wildlife conservation in Botswana is not adequately managed.
Hunting quotas are not based on scientific data. A total quota of 356 Elephants and 74 Leopards are on the Wildlife Hunting Quota List for 2023. These figures are regarded as abnormally high. The list also includes Zebra, Buffalo, Ostrich, Wildebeest, Kudu, Eland, Gemsbok, Warthog, Baboon, and Lechwe.
There is evidence of widespread unethical hunting practices including over-use of already overly high quotas, fraudulent practices, corruption, baiting, and hunting near and within photographic tourism zones. As well as the deployment of aerial support to search for large tuskers and killing Elephant bulls near artificial waterholes.
Trophy hunting activities in Botswana are forcing communities, which are expected to rely on the proceeds of trophy hunting, into a perpetual cycle of impoverishment and economic disenfranchisement. Trophy hunting obstructs the development of more meaningful activities like photographic tourism while the proceeds from trophy hunting are so miniscule that individual community members are practically receiving nothing.
There is also widespread evidence of corruption and mismanagement of funds generated by the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) system in areas centred on trophy hunting as the main economic activity. The mismanagement and corruption are directly linked to trophy hunting.
The current government has revoked scientific research permits of organisations that have been committed to providing peer reviewed scientific data on the conservation status and ecology of Elephants and suppress those that have dared to voice concern over unsustainable and unethical hunting practices.
An aerial photograph of a butchered Elephant, shot by trophy hunters in Botswana.
The adult Elephant Bull (above) has been stripped of its body-parts. The trunk has been hacked off. There are large portions of the Elephant’s skin cut off. All four feet have been removed – presumably to make foot / table stools (the Botswana president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, (in)famously gave Elephant foot stools to the presidents of neighbouring countries at an Elephant Management meeting in Kasane in 2019). The tusks and skull have been taken to a taxidermy. These body parts represent the prize – the trophy – that the hunter was after, and which will be displayed on a wall in their home in Europe or America or Asia. There is also some flesh cut off on the flanks of one side, possibly to provide some meat for the trackers and skinners as a ‘tip’.
It has been claimed in Botswana that trophy hunting is only undertaken in ‘marginal’ wilderness areas that are not deemed viable for photographic tourism. It is also claimed that attempts to convert trophy hunting areas not viable for photographic tourism into photographic tourism areas is a challenge. Areas that are deemed not viable for photographic tourism are remoteness, lower densities of wildlife and monotonous natural landscapes. In these spaces, trophy hunting becomes a necessary evil as the sole provider of revenue for remote communities living within and alongside wildlife.
And yet, this Elephant was shot in a hunting concession (NG41) that is neatly wedged between two national parks – Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. These two parks are globally renowned for photographic tourism and are consequently brimming with tourists wanting to photograph what Botswana showcases best – wildlife. The fact that that this Elephant was shot right in the middle of these tourist hotspots makes a mockery of the claim that trophy hunting in Botswana only takes place in marginal areas.
The Wall Of Death: A Hunter’s ‘Trophy’ Room
The standard narrative from hunters and their proponents is that trophy hunting is an essential conservation tool that, if conducted ‘ethically’, preserves endangered wildlife and provides revenue for impoverished communities living in marginalised areas where photographic tourism is absent. Yet as this case shows, as they all do, that narrative is a false one. Stripped of its protective fairy-tale veil, the true face of trophy hunting lays bare, a narcissistic bloodlust of a few depraved individuals who care little for ethics, community upliftment or wildlife conservation. ~ Adam Cruise.
In The Trophy Hunter’s Sights: Botswana’s Elephants
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WILDLIFE:
You can support ‘Protect All Wildlife’ by donating as little as £1 – It only takes a minute but it can last a lifetime for an animal in need. Please donate below.
Everyone who donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation as a thank you for helping animals in need.
The Mission of Protect All Wildlife is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of ALL animals.
We believe EVERY animal should be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. We raise awareness to protect and conserve wild, captive, companion and farm animals.
It is vital that we protect animals against acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect by enforcing established animal welfare laws and, when necessary, take action to ensure that those who abuse animals are brought to justice.
Protect All Wildlife are involved in many projects to protect animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to Protect All Wildlife supports ALL of our worthy programmes and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Your donations make our work possible.
The Environment Secretary offered assurances about the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill in a letter to campaigners.
The Government has pledged to do “all we can” to ensure a ban on trophy hunting imports becomes law amid fears pro-hunting peers could “wreck” the reforms.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said the Government will not support any further amendments to the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill.
The proposed legislation would prohibit bringing into the country body parts from species deemed of conservation concern.
The Bill, introduced by Conservative MP Henry Smith, has already cleared the House of Commons.
But a group of peers have raised concerns and tabled amendments that threaten to derail the proposals.
Time is running out to consider the Bill and it will fall if it does not receive royal assent before the current parliamentary session stops ahead of the King’s Speech on November 7.
Ms Coffey, in a letter to the Humane Society International/UK dated August 17, wrote: “It is a manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals and we are working hard to deliver.
“The Bill passed the Commons in March, with the Government’s support, and we will do all we can to support its progress through the House of Lords working with Baroness Fookes.
“I can confirm that we will not be supporting any further amendments to the Bill. I expect committee stage to progress next month.”
Conservative peer Lady Fookes is the Bill’s sponsor in the House of Lords.
Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns and public affairs at Humane Society International/UK, said: “There is a small and vocal group of pro-hunting peers doing their best to wreck this Bill, but we need the Government to remain focused on the almost 90% of the public who want this ban on the import of hunting trophies.
“The timing for this Bill is indeed extremely tight but we were encouraged to receive a letter from Environment Secretary Therese Coffey yesterday.”
No Friday sittings to consider private members’ bills are expected in the House of Lords in September, according to the Government whips’ office in the Lords.
With the party conference recess running until October 16, there are expected to be just two possible Friday sittings before the parliamentary session ends.
Mr Smith, MP for Crawley, said he is speaking with the Government in a bid to secure more parliamentary time for his Bill.
Conservative peer Lord Mancroft, who opposes the proposals, said amendments have been tabled in a bid to “clean up” or clarify parts of the “badly drafted” Bill.
He acknowledged it is “very possible” the amendments could halt the Bill’s progress and rated its chances as “less than 10%”.
Mr Smith said the planned legislation is about UK import policy, adding opponents have pressed “spurious arguments” about how trophy hunting helps conservation.
A House of Lords briefing paper on the Bill stated: “According to figures from the Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) trade database, 190 hunting trophies from Cites-listed species were imported into the UK in 2020 (the most recent complete year for which figures are available).”
Jessica Collins, of Saucier, ran what she called Deep South Rescue when Harrison County sheriff’s deputies went to the property in March 2022 and found 30 dead dogs, most of them in black trash bags. A cage at her home contained a dead vulture as well as eight dead puppies inside a trash bag.
Dead and neglected dogs found at Deep South Animal Rescue
Video shows bodies of dogs all over, with many in trash bags or burned, and in varying states of decomposition. Just one dog was alive, an emaciated Labrador who had been locked in a shed without ventilation, food, or water, along with a dead federally protected Buzzard.
A warrant was issued to rescue the dog and begin disposal of 30 deceased canine remains.
An additional 14 dogs on a property in Pass Christian were also surrendered by Collins.
Collins was arrested in March 2022, and charged with only one felony count of animal cruelty for the federally protected buzzard and 30 misdemeanor counts of simple animal cruelty for the deceased dogs.
A photo taken by a Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Animal Control officer shows dead dogs wrapped in trash bags found on a property where Jessica Collins kept several dead dogs in Saucier.
Collins operated Deep South Animal Rescue under the name Jessica Ann Gallaspy. She was charged with 30 misdemeanor counts for cruelty to a dog under MS § 97-41-16 (2) a. and bonded out of the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. Maliciously injuring dogs or cats is now chargeable as a first-offense felony for each dog or cat killed with malice, MS § 97-41-16 (2) b.
Linda Perry went to the property in Saucier when she saw a plea from Collins on Facebook for help. Collins, she said, lied about being a 501c nonprofit and claimed she needed help because bobcats had been killing the animals.
“From the moment I arrived, I started finding dead dogs all across the property,” she said “She said the bobcats were killing them. It was all a lie. Once you see that, you can’t forget it. She fooled everyone in the animal community.” Collins did not live on the property where sheriff’s deputies found the animals. A shed sat on the half-acre lot, and the animals had no electricity or running water.
A photo taken by a Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Animal Control officer shows the shed where Jessica Collins kept several dead dogs in Saucier.
Collins was sentenced to 60 months incarceration, with six months to beserved beginning on August 25. She will serve the remaining 54 months if she violates any term of her sentencing.
Jessica Collins – Harrison County Adult Detention Center
“It was hard to believe that a person like this defendant, who is supposed to be taking care of animals, had done what she did in that case,” Harrison County prosecuting attorney Herman Cox said. “It was atrocious. There is no excuse for it.”
Collins cannot own a domesticated cat, dog or other animal for 15 years. Once she completes her jail sentence, she will undergo a psychiatric evaluation and return to court every seven months for a review of her case.
PROTECT ALL WILDLIFE 