Trump halts wildlife aid, sparking global conservation uproar
The Donald Trump administration has halted funding for crucial wildlife conservation programs, increasing the risk of poaching elephants and rhinos, "The Guardian" reports.
The Trump administration has decided to freeze funds for essential wildlife conservation programs, which may heighten the threat to elephants and rhinos. This decision affects international conservation grants managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which support the protection of endangered species around the globe.
Environmental organizations, such as the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed outrage and announced legal action if the funding is not reinstated.
Sarah Uhlemann from this organization highlighted that the funds are vital for patrols protecting rhinos in Africa, where their population has decreased by 94 percent over the last century.
In a letter to the FWS, the Center for Biological Diversity stated that stopping the funding violates the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which requires the consideration of endangered species in government decisions. The organization emphasizes that a lack of funds may lead to the extinction of some of the world's most endangered animals.
The freezing of grants is part of Trump's broader policy to reduce U.S. foreign aid. Previously, the president attempted to weaken the Endangered Species Act and pushed for fossil fuel projects and deforestation initiatives that could threaten species.
Controversies around hunting
Legal hunting in Africa is popular among some Americans, including Donald Trump Jr., who was seen with an elephant's severed tail. The Fish and Wildlife Service was asked to comment on the potential lawsuit.
