African nations are struggling to save their wildlife. Here’s how Texas can help. We are becoming, both by accident and intention, a potential safe haven for species hunted or otherwise losing habitat to the point of extinction in their home countries. But our state is now home to more than 5,000 ranches breeding non-native animals. We are becoming, both by accident and intention, a potential safe haven for species hunted or otherwise losing habitat to the point of extinction in their home countries.

But even as we applaud Texas ranches for breeding and possibly saving these species, their conservation impact means little without oversight ensuring their survival. Texas must implement smart regulations encouraging people to increase breeding stocks and keep track of foreign endangered animals. Otherwise, we may just be encouraging the execution of some of the world’s rarest species.