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Plight of Exotic Wildlife Showcased at EWA 43rd Annual Meeting

INGRAM, Texas — Working to save exotic species from over-regulation and certain extinction, the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) recently held its 43rd Annual Annual Meeting & Fund-Raising Auction in Kerrville, Texas. The event brought together a record attendance of ranchers and exotic animal enthusiasts who seek to preserve the legal status of the Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Addax, Dama Gazelle antelope and other species from extinction-threatening regulations.

New regulations recently decreed by Federal Judge Henry Kennedy threaten the survival of these three species, and could soon impact the ability to hunt and/or manage other more common exotic species like Blackbuck, Axis deer and Aoudad.

“This was unquestionably the most important conference the EWA has ever held,” says Charly Seale, executive director for the Exotic Wildlife Association. “Ranchers across the country have successfully raised exotic species to the point we can begin repatriating these animals to their home countries where they are virtually extinct. However, a recent federal ruling puts these animals future in jeopardy. Sportsmen, conservationists and ranchers need to pull together so we can preserve the legal status of these animals and ensure their survival.”

The EWA’s ‘Save the Species Campaign’ works to educate wildlife enthusiasts on the importance of preserving exotic species through quality management and captive breeding. The results of the current efforts by EWA members have been undeniably successful, increasing the world’s population of these animals by the thousands.

The Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Addax and Dama Gazelle are classified as an endangered species, however, special rules enacted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2005 made it possible for owners of captive herds to purchase, sell, move and manage these animals on ranches across the United States. In fact, the program has been so widely successful that it now fuels a $1.3 billion industry and thousands of jobs in rural America.

However, a Federal judge ruled earlier this year that the three species, which are born and raised in the United States, will no longer be exempted from their listing on the endangered species list. As a result, ranchers who have owned and cared for these animals for years will be required to cease all culling and management activities without special permits by the Federal government.

The EWA has filed an appeal regarding this judge’s ruling which overturned a special rule put in place by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department that allowed three antelope species to be born, raised and freely traded in the United States without the USFWD permitting process.

The EWA is a non-profit organization dedicated to leading wildlife conservation through commerce. The annual EWA convention featured exhibitors from around the hunting and wildlife industries, fund-raising auctions that include exciting exotic hunts, hunting gear and firearms; and other exciting events, such as the Eighth Annual Video Animal Auction, tropaeology school, educational seminars on wildlife management, ranch tours, golf tournament and much more.

To learn more about the Exotic Wildlife Association or to donate to the Save Exotic Wildlife Fund, call 830.367.7761, email saveanimals@exoticwildlifeassociation.com or visit www.exoticwildlifeassociation.com.


Headquartered in Ingram, Texas, the Exotic Wildlife Association is dedicated to encourage and to expand the conservation of indigenous and non-indigenous hoofstock animals, and to foster development of the alternative livestock market through agricultural diversity. For more information on EWA, call 830.367.7761 or visit www.exoticwildlifeassociation.com.