In February, Big Wildlife, Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA), and Raincoast Conservation urged eBay to halt the sale of trophy hunts of lions, leopards, bears, wolves, cougars, and other large predators on its website. (Scroll down to end of alert to some trophy hunting items recently posted on eBay.) The online auction and shopping website regularly permits postings of guided hunts of carnivores throughout the U.S., Canada, and abroad. Unfortunately, late last week, Big Wildlife received a letter from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Tod Cohen, informing the group that the company had no interest in halting its sales of trophy hunts.
In eBay's letter to us, Mr. Cohen wrote:
"While these decisions are never easy for us to make, the conclusion to this broad decision-making process is that we will not be expanding the scope of hunting experiences prohibited at this time. eBay is an open marketplace based on the principle that anyone can buy or sell just about anything, as long as those sales comply with applicable laws and our policies...," wrote Mr. Cohen. In his letter, Mr. Cohen clarified that eBay has refused to post the sale of items the company and the general public find "offensive." For example, Mr. Cohen wrote, "Nazi paraphernalia is not only offensive to millions of people but much of it is illegal to possess and sale in Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. So eBay decided years ago to prohibit the sale of most Nazi items within our 'Offensive Material" policy. This policy also gives us the direction to remove items 'when the item or description graphically portrays violence or victims of violence and lacks substantial social, artistic, or political value.'"
Big Wildlife believes trophy hunting of majestic animals like leopards, lions, and bears for "sport" is not only scientifically indefensible but incredibly offensive to most people. Expansive hunting of top predators also ignores the importance these species play in natural systems. As "keystone species," they help sustain ecological integrity and preserve species diversity.
*NOTE: While Big Wildlife is opposed to all trophy hunting of wildlife, we are focused primarily on protecting top, at-risk carnivore species. We do, however, support and applaud other campaigns by animal rights groups against eBay.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
*URGE eBay (see contacts below) to immediately stop posting sales of trophy hunts of top carnivores including lions, leopards, bears, wolves, coyotes, and other predators.
Ebay employees to contact: Jack Christin, eBay Senior Regulatory Counsel Phone: 408-376-5145 Email: jchristin@ebay.com
Nicola Sharpe, eBay Public Relations Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Sharpe.") Email: nsharpe@ebay.com
Terri Deanzo, eBay, Office of the President Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Deanzo.") Email: csme@ebay.com
Amy Skoczlas-Cole, eBay's Global Citizenship Group Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Skoczlas.") Email: askoczlascole@ebay.com
*CONTACT Big Wildlife at brian@bigwildlife.org to learn more about what you can do. Big Wildlife intends to increase pressure on eBay and is looking for animal activists in the San Jose area, where eBay is headquartered, to assist with our campaign against the company.
SOME RECENTLY POSTED ITEMS ON eBay (Click highlighted text to go to eBay posting): " Africa Dangerous Game Maile Lion Hunt: This auction price of $12,500 is the 50% deposit required to book the hunt the remaing 50% will be due on arrival, which is $12,500. The main difference between the different Lions is the size of the mane. The more expensive Lions have bigger black manes while the ones with less pronounced manes cost less. This is all based on good genes."
"Africa Dangerous Game Leopard Hunt: Dreamin of having a leopard trophy on your wall, dream no more. We could help you with leopard hunting in South Africa...African leopard hunting is usually done by baiting with freshly killed antelope and other prey species. African leopards may also be hunted by tracking. Some African leopards are hunted after being spotted by a hunting party on safari. Once a leopard is spotted it can be tracked and taken by the hunter. Some countries in Africa currently allow leopards to be hunted with dogs and this has become a popular and effective way of hunting them." Price: $8,500.
"Ontario Timber Wolf Hunt, Near 100 Opp on Wolf: The hunt is a real hunting adventure! Near 100% opportunity on timber wolf, we hunt over bait in a heated treestand...Choose any weapon." Price: $699.
"2009 Alberta Wolf Hunt, 100% Opp, Hunt Over Bait: We’re overrun with wolves, we have trophy wolves." Price: $1,199.00.
"2009 Spring Black Bear Hunt With Hounds: Price Includes 2 Bears. We hunt Black Bears with hounds, hunters have the opportunity to hunt black bears or the desirable colour phased bear in brown, blonde or cinnamon tones." Price: $3,999.00
"Alaska Spring or Summer Grizzly Bear Hunt: "Wow Fall Sale, Only $5899, That's Over $7,000 in Savings."