Disproportionate regulation of wildlife trade

Abstract

Abstract An increasing number of countries in the Global North have enacted, or are considering, import bans on hunting trophies to protect wildlife. We interrogate arguments used to characterize trophy hunting using data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and empirical research. We show that trophy hunting is not a major threat to any CITES-listed species traded as a trophy during 2000-2022. Yet, 60% of global trade in trophies involving these species may be impacted by bans, with significant implications for conservation. We therefore question whether such legislative actions are proportionate. Wildlife trade solutions may appear simple but evidence-based policy is needed to conserve biodiversity and avoid harming people.