Despite massive public opposition, the Bush administration is moving forward with a dramatic change to Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations that would allow commercial international trade in some of the world's most endangered species. The proposed change would allow the importation of any of more than 500 foreign endangered species protected by the Act-including Asian elephants, tigers, chimpanzees and orangutans-under the pretense of "enhancing the survival" of these species.

This policy reversal would open the flood gates for trade in highly endangered species, and it violates the ESA. In fact, it would be the most profound and damaging policy change for foreign endangered species in decades, and could jeopardize the long-term survival of any of the 500 plus foreign species the ESA currently protects.

After months of delay, the Fish and Wildlife has reopened the public comment period on this controversial proposal. Although FWS says it will consider public comments previously submitted, it also says those comments were based on "public confusion" about what the rule will do-a cynical argument that could allow the administration to disregard the opinions of thousands of concerned citizens.

But it's the administration, not the public, that's confused: the proposed rule clearly allows for international trade in foreign endangered species, and the uncontrolled killing and capturing of endangered species for fun or profit is no way to protect them.

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Urgent Action Needed to Stop the Importation of Endangered Species!