Argalis are the largest free-living sheep in the world and are known for their huge, curved horns that can grow up to a meter long. Because their populations have shrunk rapidly in recent years, animals in Mongolia are under special protection, and some even call them "national treasures."
However, Donald Trump Junior, the US President's eldest son, is said to have ignored the protection regulations and killed one of the sheep during a summer hunt. This reports the research platform "ProPublica", referring to local sources.
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Copy of an Argali
Thus, Trump Junior has the required for the launch approval but only later. Shortly after receiving them, he met with Mongolian President Chaltmaagiin Battulga - probably in exchange for the launch license, which is rarely awarded. According to the research Trump Junior is said to have received only one of three hunting permits granted to the area. According to "ProPublica", money, relationships and politics determine who gets a shooting license for the coveted trophies.
"Trump Junior shot the Argali in the night"
"Trump Junior shot the Argali in the night," said one of the guides who accompanied the presidential son on the trip to ProPublica. "He prevented the local hunting guides from disassembling the animal on the spot and instead instructed them to transport the carcass on an aluminum sheet so as not to damage the horn and fur." Trump Junior is known for his trophy hunting. He is said to have shot a deer while traveling to Mongolia.
The import of hunting trophies into the USA has been controversial for years. According to a presidential decree by Barack Obama, trophies from African countries may only be imported into the US if the owner proves that the death of the animal benefits the long term conservation of the species.
Donald Trump initially lifted the 2017 term, but doubted his decision just days later. "I decided to shelve big-game trophies until I studied all conservation facts," Trump wrote on Twitter. He has great difficulty understanding how "this horror show should somehow contribute to the protection of elephants or other animals".
In the end, he decided to allow the importation with a special permit. However, a court is currently reviewing the procedure.
