The leaves are brilliant hues of yellow and red, car doors pack a 50-watt charge and students have been spotted donning parkas…it’s fall again! While the seasons shift, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Bush Administration, has proposed the “Draft Policy for Enhancement-of-Survival Permits for Foreign Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act.” If enacted, this policy would legalize the sale of permits allowing trophy hunters, zoos, circuses and aquarium facilities to kill or capture a predetermined number of endangered animals in foreign countries from controlled or monitored populations.

The money generated by this radical alteration to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 would then be used to fund conservation of the affected species.

Why not just call it the “I Hit Her Because I Love Her” draft policy? The first fundamental problem is inherent: the species are endangered. That means that there aren’t many left to kill! The proceeds gained from the killing or capturing of a few animals will result in a rather paltry sum, not nearly an amount that would justify removing the animal from its habitat.

Secondly, who is ensuring that the money for the permit actually goes toward conservation? The Fish and Wildlife Service has no authority over foreign affairs. It’s like tossing a steak at a junkyard dog and telling it to look for the mice. Lastly, this policy would make endangered species legal tender again how many checks will be in place to differentiate between animals hunted and animals poached?

This policy would allow the killing of endangered animals for conservation?

This is totally illogical and the possible negative effects greatly outweigh even an optimistic view of the program’s positive attributes.