Ban imports of hunting trophies to the UK

Wildlife rangers with the carcass of an elephant, in Tsavo East, Kenya
Wildlife rangers with the carcass of an elephant, in Tsavo East, Kenya. Photograph: Khalil Senosi/AP

Hundreds of hunting trophies have been imported into the UK in recent years, including from species threatened with extinction such as elephants, lions, hippopotamuses, leopards, and rhinoceroses. Trophy hunting is having a negative impact on wildlife through the loss of significant numbers of healthy individuals that are key to the survival of rapidly declining populations. Unsustainable rates of trophy hunting have caused some populations of Africa’s big cats to decline, while hunting and poaching is outpacing the rate of reproduction of elephants. Trophy hunting is cruel, immoral, archaic and unjustifiable, and can act as a cover for illegal poaching.

We believe that a global end to trophy hunting is desirable, and that nature tourism is a humane and more effective means of conserving wildlife and supporting local communities. We therefore call on the UK government to commit to halting imports of hunting trophies as a matter of urgency.

Eduardo Gonçalves Founder, Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Sue Perkins, Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Damian Aspinall, Angie Best, Clive Betts MP, John Bishop, Nicky Campbell, Ronnie Campbell MP, Vernon Coaker MP, Ann Coffey MP, Jeremy Cooper, Rosie Cooper MP, Annette Crosbie, Edward Davey MP, Clive Efford MP, Peter Egan, Ranulph Fiennes, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Paul Flynn MP, Liam Gallagher, Zac Goldsmith MP, Eamonn Holmes, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Eric Idle, David Jason, Andrea Jenkyns MP, Lorraine Kelly, Jan Leeming, Caroline Lucas MP, Joanna Lumley, Stuart McDonald MP, Virginia McKenna, Vicki Michelle, Piers Morgan, Lesley Nicol, Bill Oddie, Albert Owen MP, Chris Packham, Sara Pascoe, Matthew Pennycook MP, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathon Porritt, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Carol Royle, Julian Richer, Jim Shannon MP, Ed Sheeran, Angela Smith House of Lords, Chris Stephens MP, Graham Stringer MP, Will Travers, Anna Turley MP, Carol Vorderman, Chris Williamson MP

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