President Donald Trump is under fire over a board created to advise him on how to protect certain African animals that are in decline, in part because of hunting. Critics say too many of the panel’s members are trophy hunters.

At issue are rules for importing the heads and hides of African lions, elephants and rhinoceroses.

It needs to be noted that much of the danger to those species comes from poachers, not legal hunting. It also needs to be kept in mind that fees from legitimate hunts help fund conservation efforts.

It is clear something needs to be done to protect the three species listed above, as well as others in Africa and elsewhere.

Trump’s advisory board should be judged, then, not on its members but on whether it suggests the effective conservation measures that are vital.

editorial@tribtoday.com