By Conor Harrison on January 18, 2014 in Texas Hunting
The U.S. House and Senate considered and approved legislation to exempt from endangered species protections three antelope species nearly extinct in their native countries but thriving on ranches in Texas.
The exemptions would clear the way for ranchers to maintain their herds and to offer hunts for these game animals without government intervention.
Hunting revenue provides incentive for ranchers to ensure flourishing populations of exotic scimitar horned oryx, Dama gazelle and addax.
The antelope species are known in Texas as the “Three Amigos.”
On January 16, the U.S. Senate approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, which included a provision that requires the Secretary of the Interior to reestablish certain Endangered Species Act permitting exemptions for U.S. captive-bred scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the same omnibus legislation on January 15. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation.