Wayne Gilchrest: “the fundamental goal of this legislation is to extend the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994. Since 1977, all…”

“the fundamental goal of this legislation is to extend the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994. Since 1977, all species of rhinos and tigers have been listed under our Endangered Species Act and on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prohibits all commercial international trade in these species. Despite these protections, the population of these species continues to decline; and sadly, rhino and tiger body parts are still an active ingredient in Chinese traditional medicines sold throughout the world. One of the few positive developments for these species was the enactment of the Rhino and Tiger Conservation Act. Since its establishment 7 years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has spent about $7 million on 111 conservation projects in 16 countries in Africa and Asia. These projects have monitored populations, equipped game scouts, and educated local communities as to the value of these keystone species. Without this act, these species would continue their steady slide toward extension.”