May 30, 2008 "In The Crosshairs"

May 30, 2008

SCI Tells Montana Court "Keep Wolves Off the List"

On May 28, 2008 attorneys from Safari Club International, the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, the federal government, animal rights groups, and other sporting and ranching groups, crowded into a Missoula, Montana courthouse to argue the temporary fate of Northern Rocky Mountain wolves. In all, eight individual attorneys each weighed in about whether the federal court should grant a preliminary injunction motion that would place wolves back on the endangered species list for the period of time necessary for full litigation of the animal rights groups' challenge to wolf delisting. The federal government attorney defended the legality of the delisting action and each of the state attorneys demonstrated why their states' laws and management plans would sufficiently maintain viable wolf populations. SCI took its oral argument opportunity to explain that the balance of public interests, represented by the diverse parties involved in the lawsuit, and each affected differently by the status of wolves, was best served with wolves remaining off the endangered species list. The court took the matter under consideration and promised to rule expeditiously.

South Africa Ships Black Rhinos to Zambia

“Five black rhinos were flown to Zambia on Wednesday as part of a relocation agreement between South Africa, Namibia and Zambia. Black rhinos are highly endangered and four of the five animals were selected from South Africa's flagship game reserve, the Kruger National Park. ‘This translocation shows that we... are definitely committed to regional conservation...,’ said the Kruger's managing executive, Dr Bandile Mkhize. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which has banned all international trade of rhino parts and products, there are less than 4 000 black rhinos in the wild today. Most are found in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe.” Read the full article here.

Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service or we) proposes to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2008-09 hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2008-09 duck hunting seasons, requests proposals from Indian tribes that wish to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands, and requests proposals for the 2009 spring/summer migratory bird subsistence season in Alaska. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide hunting opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2008-09 duck hunting seasons by June 27, 2008.” (Source: Federal Register, May 28, 2008, available here.)

NATO Hosts Gonference on Global Threat by Small Arms, Light Weapons

“BRUSSELS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A three-day international conference opened at the NATO headquarters on Wednesday to address the global threat posed by the proliferation, illicit trade and use of small arms and light weapons (SALW). The meeting, co-sponsored by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council countries and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, focuses on strengthening the role of regional organizations in addressing the threat. Approximately 100 experts representing over 30 regional, international and non-governmental organizations from around the world are participating in the event. They are exchanging views on how to further cooperation and promote best practices between regional organizations in implementing the UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All its Aspects.” To read the full article: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/29/content_8272978.htm.

UN biodiversity conference to agree on sharing nature's resources

“The UN biodiversity conference draws to an end Friday with delegates from more than 190 countries set to agree a 'Bonn Roadmap' on sharing the benefits from biological diversity. The Access and Benefit Sharing deal (ABS) is the main substantive agreement reached during the two-week conference held in the German city of Bonn. Details of the ABS agreement, crucially stipulating which parts are legally binding and which voluntary, are to be thrashed out over the next two years… Some 6,000 delegates from the 191 countries participating in the CBD were joined by hundreds of representatives of non-governmental organizations in Bonn. While almost all the world's economically powerful states have ratified the CBD, the United States has not.” (Source: www.Monstersandcritics.com) To read the full article, click here.

In the next 2 years CBD might impact the way safari operators in some countries are able to conduct hunts if indigenous or native communities are legally allowed to control access to their lands for natural resources such as wildlife. The trend in these negotiations is to vest native communities with more legal rights to access and control of their land and the resources that are located on the land. SCI has and will continue to attend and participate in upcoming CBD meetings.