Trump says US ban on importing elephant trophies to remain in place: report

President Trump said in an interview that the U.S. ban on importing elephant hunting trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe will remain in place, according to HuffPost.

Trump said in an interview with ITV’s Piers Morgan, which is set to air Sunday, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s move to overturn an Obama-era ban on the import was “terrible.”

“I didn’t want elephants killed and stuffed and have the tusks brought back into this [country] and people can talk all they want about preservation and all of the things that they’re saying where money goes towards ― well, money was going ― in that case, going to a government which was probably taking the money, OK? I turned that order around. You know, that was an order. I totally turned it around. Were you shocked that I did it?” the president said in comments obtained by HuffPost. 

The agency announced in November that the ban on the import of elephant trophies from the two African countries would be overturned because money made from the sport goes toward conservation efforts. {mosads}

Trump faced criticism from Republicans and Democrats for the decision and later announced the move would be put on hold.

Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts. Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke. Thank you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2017

The president later tweeted, saying he did not understand how the “horror show” contributed to conservation efforts. 

Big-game trophy decision will be announced next week but will be very hard pressed to change my mind that this horror show in any way helps conservation of Elephants or any other animal.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2017