Kane County Reporter

Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) recently stated that it is time for Illinois to protect more species after legislation to protect endangered animals was passed through the Senate Commerce Committee on May 6, according to a press release.

 The legislation, House Bill 395 (HB 395) would make it illegal to sell giraffes, sharks, sea turtles, pangolins, tigers, lions, great apes, and other endangered species' items and parts.

"Each of them has their place on this planet, and killing these beautiful creatures is horribly cruel. Shark fins are in high demand; poachers simply cut off their fins then drop them back in the ocean, where they will drown because they can no longer swim. We can’t condone such brutality," Holmes wrote in a Facebook post, "Illinois should not support the poaching and trafficking of at-risk animal species."

While Illinois banned the trade of ivory and rhino horns in 2018, other animal species continue to face extinction as a result of demand for their parts.

According to Holmes, the federal policy on illicit smuggling and trafficking in wildlife parts has been improved and it's time for Illinois to join in, with Holmes stating that these actions are putting animals at risk of extinction.

Currently, there are only about 7,100 cheetahs left in the wild, and a quarter of all shark and ray species are endangered; meanwhile, about 40,000 giraffe parts and goods were imported into the United States between 2006 and 2015.

Additionally, all seven sea turtle species are endangered, while African lion numbers have been declining since 1993.

The bill has passed both chambers and has been sent to Gov. Pritzker.