The Safari Club International has worked the legal system hard to try to keep polar bears - threatened primarily by climate change, but also by hunting - on the list of creatures people can import as trophies after shooting.

Lydia Millet’s quote critiques the actions of Safari Club International (SCI), an organization that has worked to keep polar bears on the list of animals that can be imported as trophies after being hunted. The quote highlights the organization’s efforts within the legal system to preserve the practice of hunting endangered animals, despite the growing concerns over their threatened status. Specifically, polar bears are under threat due to climate change, which has caused their natural habitat to deteriorate, as well as the direct impact of hunting.

The mention of climate change underscores the urgency of protecting these animals, as their survival is increasingly jeopardized by environmental shifts. Despite this, the Safari Club International has continued to fight for the ability to hunt polar bears, which raises ethical concerns about the prioritization of sport hunting over conservation efforts. Millet's quote suggests a conflict between conservation and the desires of hunters who view these animals as trophies rather than beings in need of protection.

This issue touches on a broader debate over conservation ethics and the balance between human interests and environmental preservation. Many argue that hunting endangered species for sport, especially when those species are already vulnerable due to factors like climate change, is irresponsible and unethical. By fighting to allow such practices, SCI challenges the prevailing movement toward stronger environmental protections and more stringent wildlife conservation laws.

Millet's critique points to the growing tension between economic interests (such as hunting tourism) and the urgent need to safeguard species facing extinction. The statement highlights a struggle where legal and political forces are used to preserve practices that many see as contributing to the further decline of at-risk species like the polar bear.