Court Refuses to Speed Elephant Trophy Permits, Citing Covid-19

An order forcing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expedite the processing of elephant trophy import permit applications amid the Covid-19 pandemic would be “unwise” and “not in the public interest,” a Washington federal court ruled Thursday.

Hunting and tourism organizations and individual elephant sport hunters failed to show the agency’s inaction is causing them irreparable harm, according to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The groups’ delay in seeking a preliminary injunction also shows a lack of urgency.

FWS is required to make an enhancement finding and issue an Endangered Species Act permit before an ...