The Winterwatch presenter lashed out at ministers after new figures revealed a trophy from a Critically Endangered Black Rhinoceros had been brought into the country
Chris Packham has demanded answers after the trophy of an endangered rhino killed for sport was imported into Britain.
The Winterwatch presenter lashed out at ministers after new figures revealed a trophy from a Critically Endangered Black Rhinoceros had been brought into the country. This comes despite there being just 3,142 black rhinos left alive, according to the global conservation group IUCN.
The figures come from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and show as well as trophies of black and white rhinos, British hunters also brought home tusks of elephants from one of Africa’s most endangered herds in Zambia, as well as trophies of leopards. British hunters also shot several ‘canned’ lions – semi-tame animals that have been bred in captivity and are then shot in enclosed fields they can’t escape from – plus a wild lion in Zimbabwe, where American dentist Walter Palmer shot Cecil in 2015.
READ MORE: Trophy hunting holidays to slaughter elephants, lions and leopards on sale at UK fairREAD MORE: Donald Trump team ‘trying to bully’ UK into scrapping ban on sick trophy hunting
The 2024 figures are the most recent available, and show that approximately 50 trophies of CITES-listed animals entered the UK during that period, compared to just under 190 in 2023. British trophy hunters travelled as far as Canada and Eastern European to acquire the bodies, skins and skulls of bears. Other animals killed by Brits included Hippopotamuses, Zebras, Wolves, and a Baboon.
Demanding action, Mr Packham said: “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. Ministers should announce an immediate moratorium on imports of hunting trophies. We need to end this disgusting so-called ‘sport’ once and for all.”
The Mirror has long campaigned for a ban on trophy hunting imports, and despite delays, Defra minister Mary Creagh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a ban late last year.
Responding, Labour MP Irene Campbell MP claimed it was ““time for the cruel ‘sport’ of trophy hunting to come to an end.” She added: “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 is now writing to Defra Minister Emma Reynolds MP pushing the Government to follow through on its manifesto commitment. Founder of the campaign, Eduardo Goncalves said: “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”.
A Defra spokesperson said: “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.”