Current:Home > ScamsThe market for hippo body parts is bigger than you think. Animal groups suing to halt trade -Horizon Finance Path
The market for hippo body parts is bigger than you think. Animal groups suing to halt trade
View
Date:2025-04-16 10:22:41
Federal officials are moving too slowly to protect the hippo from a wildlife trade that sends more hippo body parts to the United States than any other country in the world, a collaborative of animal conservation organizations said this week in announcing plans to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"While the U.S. government is dragging its feet, hippos are disappearing from the wild," stated the coalition of groups that includes the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and the Center for Biological Diversity.
The wildlife service announced a year ago that a petition from the animal groups contained "substantial" information to show listing might be needed to protect hippos from poaching and trade in its body parts, but the agency missed its 12-month deadline to decide whether to protect hippos under the Endangered Species Act.
“Federal protections are critical for species like hippos who are being pushed to the brink of extinction,” said Tracie Letterman, vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
With the U.S. the leading importer of hippo parts and products, the federal government "must lead by example and list hippos under the Endangered Species Act," Letterman said.
As few as 115,000 adult hippos may remain in the wild, the coalition of wildlife groups said Thursday.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the "common hippo," one of two hippo species in Africa, as "vulnerable," estimating its population at 125,000-148,000, but declining. Reports indicate the population is half what it was historically. Wild hippos were historically found across Africa in more than three dozen countries, but are no longer found in Algeria, Egypt, Liberia and Mauritania, the wildlife service said.
Because hippos aren't on the federal protected species list, trade in its body parts – including teeth, skulls, ivory, skin and meat – continues unfettered, the wildlife groups said. The groups said at least 3,081 hippos were killed between 2009-2018 to fuel the trade legal in the U.S.
Endangered Species Act50 years ago, Democrats and Republicans acted together to protect species
The species continues to face "myriad threats that are exacerbated by international trade in their parts," said Adam Peyman, wildlife programs director for Humane Society International.
The Humane Society groups reported their undercover investigation in 2022 found thousands of hippo items for sale in this country, including belts, shoes, purses, and carving on knives and bottle openers.
“Hippos play a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystems where they live but the United States has an appetite for frivolous hippo products," said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's time for federal officials to stop yawning at deadlines and take the next step toward protecting the species from US demand.”
Other countries also have declined to increase protections for hippos. A proposal to upgrade the status of hippo protections on the IUCN's red list failed during an international meeting on trade in October 2022, with the European Union using all of its 27 votes against the measure,
The wildlife service stated in its initial review that the additional protections might be needed because of loss and degradation of the hippo's habitat, climate change, need for water and war. The agency has since received 110,571 public comments, many in a form letter version, regarding the potential listing.
veryGood! (1552)
Related
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Fearless Fund settles DEI fight and shuts down grant program for Black women
- Indiana judge rules against abortion providers fighting near-total ban
- Watch Army veteran literally jump for joy over this surprise gift from his wife
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversy
- Kentucky authorities still hunting suspect in I-75 shooting that injured 5
- 'NCIS: Origins' cast puzzle: Finding young versions of iconic Gibbs, Vera Strickland
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Man convicted of killing Chicago officer and wounding her partner is sentenced to life
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Volkswagen is recalling close to 99K electric vehicles due to faulty door handles
- All the Couples Who Made the 2024 MTV VMAs a Red Carpet Date Night
- DHL sues MyPillow, alleging company founded by Mike Lindell owes $800,000
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Boy George, Squeeze team for gleefully nostalgic tour. 'There's a lot of joy in this room'
- 2024 MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift Makes History With Artist of the Year Win
- New York City police commissioner to resign after his phone was seized in federal investigation
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Conditions starting to 'deteriorate' in La. as Hurricane Francine nears: Live updates
Megan Thee Stallion recreates Britney Spears' iconic 2001 python moment at VMAs: Watch
16 Super Cute Finds That Look Like Other Things (But Are Actually Incredibly Practical!)
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Justin Timberlake reaches plea deal to resolve drunken driving case, AP source says
Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
2024 MTV VMAs: Halsey Teases Marriage to Avan Jogia Amid Engagement Rumors