Big-game hunters will now be allowed to import the body parts of elephants they've killed from two African countries, the Trump administration announced on Thursday, arguing that the money generated from wealthy trophy hunters would help the species.

Read more: Poachers target endangered animals in protected areas, study finds

The US Fish and Wildlife Service said it would allow the import of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia through 2018, saying the move "will enhance the survival of the species in the wild."

They argued that the ban reversal will raise money for conservation programs from hunters who pay to shoot them, noting that Zambia and Zimbabwe made changes to their elephant conservation efforts since the ban was implemented.

"Legal, well-regulated sport hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve those species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation," the agency said in a statement.

Read more: Elephant riding is a dark side of tourism

Thursday's move reverses a 2014 ban imposed by former US President Barack Obama's administration which blocked the importation of elephant tusks and hides from animals killed for sport.

African elephant populations dropped by some 30 percent between 2007 and 2014, according to a report last year.

Watch video 03:35 Share Namibia — Access for elephants Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2lIlm Namibia — Access for elephants

Outrage over 'bizarre' ban reversal

Conservation groups quickly responded to the ban reversal, criticizing not only the Trump administration's reasoning, but also their timing.

Zimbabwe was plunged into political uncertainty this week after the country's longtime President Robert Mugabe was placed under house arrest by the country's army.

Read more: Vietnam seizes tons of elephant tusks 'originating from South Africa'

"With tanks in the streets, whoever is actually running the Zimbabwe government just can't be trusted to protect elephants from slaughter by poachers," said Tanya Sanerib, a lawyer with the advocacy group Center for Biological Diversity, who called the timing "bizarre."

Poaching takes a toll on elephants Dwindling numbers A century ago, 10 million elephants were roaming across Africa - today, there are an estimated 450,000 to 700,000 African elephants and between 35,000 and 40,000 wild Asian elephants. Since elephant numbers have dropped by 62 percent over the last decade, conservationists fear they could be almost extinct in the next 10 years.

Poaching takes a toll on elephants Killed for their ivory tusks Every day, around 100 African elephants are killed for their tusks, which end up being sold mainly on the Asian market. In the past five years, Chinese demand for ivory has gone up, which fueled poaching even more. In July, customs officials at Zurich airport seized 262 kilograms (578 pounds) of ivory chopped up and hidden in eight suitcases during a random search on three Chinese passengers.

Poaching takes a toll on elephants Conflict fueled by ivory sales Wildlife trafficking has been estimated to be the third biggest illegal business after drug and human trafficking. Illegal ivory boosts all kind of conflicts across the continent. For example, insurgent groups like Al-Shabab, the Lord's Resistance Army and Boko Haram buy weapons by handing in elephant tusks. A pound of ivory sells for about $1,000 (903 euros) on the Chinese black market.

Poaching takes a toll on elephants Coexisting with elephants Despite a ban on international ivory trade, elephants are still being targeted in large numbers. Organizations like SOS Elephants say it's crucial to teach local communities about why elephants are important for Africa's ecosystem and how they can make a living through ecotourism and coexisting farming techniques instead.

Poaching takes a toll on elephants Habitat loss In addition to poaching, elephants are also struggling with dwindling habitat. Human populations have vastly increased since the turn of the century, meaning there's less space for elephants: Forests have been cleared and turned into land for crops or livestock. And some of the animals have been captured, trained and used for activities such as illegal logging.

Poaching takes a toll on elephants Silver lining? At the end of July 2015, US President Barack Obama announced plans to effectively ban most ivory trade in the United States and to add new restrictions when it could be exported. The US is the second biggest market for ivory after China which has also pledged to clamp down on ivory trade on its domestic markets. Author: Claudia Garcia



Other opponents of the ban took to social media to voice their outrage, with many noting that Trump's eldest sons are avid big-game hunters. They frequently posed for pictures with the animals they've killed during hunts, including one of Donald Jr. holding the cut-off tail of a slain elephant.

Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former US President Bill Clinton, said the move was "infuriating" and that it "will increase poaching."

The African elephant, the world's largest land mammal, has been classified as "threatened" under the US Endangered Species Act since 1979.

Read more: Risky business: On the trail of poachers in Zimbabwe

In June, the Trump administration removed long-standing protections for grizzly bears near Yellowstone National Park, potentially allowing for them to be hunted.

Watch video 01:37 China clamps down on ivory trade

rs/rt (AP, Reuters)