Environmental campaigner and Winterwatch presenter Chris Packham has launched a fierce attack on government ministers following the revelation that trophies from critically endangered animals killed for sport have been imported into the United Kingdom.
Shocking Figures Reveal Trophy Imports
Newly released data has exposed that a trophy from a Critically Endangered Black Rhinoceros was brought into Britain, despite there being only 3,142 black rhinos remaining alive globally according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The figures, sourced from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), represent the most recent available data from 2024.
Wide Range of Species Affected
The statistics reveal a disturbing pattern of trophy imports extending beyond rhinos. British hunters have also brought home:
- Tusks from elephants belonging to one of Africa's most endangered herds in Zambia
- Trophies of leopards and both black and white rhino species
- Several 'canned' lions - semi-tame animals bred in captivity then shot in enclosed fields
- A wild lion in Zimbabwe, echoing the infamous 2015 case of Cecil the lion killed by American dentist Walter Palmer
The 2024 figures show approximately 50 trophies of CITES-listed animals entered the UK during that period, representing a significant decrease from just under 190 in 2023. British trophy hunters travelled as far as Canada and Eastern Europe to acquire bodies, skins and skulls of bears, while other animals killed included hippopotamuses, zebras, wolves, and a baboon.
Political Response and Campaign Demands
Chris Packham delivered a blistering condemnation of the practice, stating: "The government has repeatedly said it is committed to banning trophy hunting imports. Yet official figures now show it has issued import permits for sick souvenirs of endangered animals killed for fun. Trophy hunting is utterly immoral and is making things even worse for threatened species."
He continued with a direct demand: "Ministers should announce an immediate moratorium on imports of hunting trophies. We need to end this disgusting so-called 'sport' once and for all."
Cross-Party Pressure Mounts
Labour MP Irene Campbell echoed these concerns, asserting: "It's time for the cruel 'sport' of trophy hunting to come to an end. Endangered animals should not be killed for the entertainment of tourists. The Labour manifesto committed to banning the import of hunting trophies, and I am looking forward to working with the Government to ensure that we meet this commitment."
The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting has intensified its efforts, writing to Defra Minister Emma Reynolds MP to push the government to follow through on its manifesto commitment. Campaign founder Eduardo Goncalves highlighted political inconsistencies, noting: "The government has repeatedly criticised the Conservatives for allowing hunting trophies into the country whilst it was pledging to ban them. However, these figures show that Labour has been signing off on trophies of highly endangered animals since it came to power too."
Government Position and Legislative Progress
A Defra spokesperson responded to the mounting pressure, stating: "The government has committed to introduce a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. We are carefully considering all available options. However, our priority remains progressing and delivering legislation to introduce a ban as soon as Parliamentary time allows."
This commitment follows previous reassurances from Defra minister Mary Creagh, who reaffirmed the government's dedication to implementing a ban late last year, despite ongoing legislative delays. The Mirror newspaper has maintained a long-standing campaign for a prohibition on trophy hunting imports, adding further momentum to the growing public and political demand for decisive action.
