ProTECT Act Aims to Ban Hunting Trophies of Threatened Species: New Rules Could Curb Illegal Wildlife Trade

The Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act of 2025, or ProTECT Act, straight-up bans bringing trophies from threatened species into the U.S. and shooting them here for sport. This isn't about all hunting—it's specifically about stopping the killing of animals at risk of extinction for the sake of a trophy.

Trophy Time-Out

The core of the ProTECT Act is pretty straightforward: It amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to make taking or importing trophies of threatened species illegal. Previously, the ESA automatically protected endangered species but not necessarily threatened ones. This bill closes that loophole. Specifically, Section 3 amends Section 9 of the ESA, making it unlawful to:

• Take any threatened species for a trophy within the U.S. or its territorial waters.
• Import any trophy of a threatened species into the U.S.

And just to be super clear, "trophy" means any dead animal, or a recognizable part of one, that you got with a hunting license (Section 3 of the ESA, as amended). Think mounted heads, skins, or even just a preserved paw.

Real-World Rollout

So, what does this mean in practice? Imagine a rancher in Montana who has a permit to hunt a threatened species on their land. Under this law, they could not legally do that if the intent is to take a trophy. Or picture a big-game hunter returning from a safari with a trophy from a species newly listed as threatened—that's now a no-go. The bill even specifically states that the Secretary of the Interior cannot issue permits for these activities (Section 10(a) of the ESA, as amended).

Cracking Down on Crime

One of the big reasons behind this bill is the connection between legal trophy hunting and the illegal wildlife trade. The bill's findings (Section 2) point out that the legal trade can actually mask illegal activity, which is a multi-billion-dollar industry linked to some seriously nasty transnational crime. By cutting off the legal import of threatened species trophies, the idea is to make it harder for illegal traders to operate.

Antique Exceptions

Now, if you're thinking, "Wait, what about my grandpa's antique ivory tusk?"—the bill clarifies that existing exceptions for antiques still apply (Section 10(h)(1) of the ESA, as amended). So, genuine antiques aren't affected.

Potential Challenges

While the ProTECT Act aims to do good, it's not without potential hitches. Defining exactly what counts as a "trophy" could get tricky. A too-narrow definition might create loopholes. Also, enforcing these rules across borders and within the U.S. could be a real challenge, requiring serious resources and international cooperation.