I grew up among our wildlife.. I’m sickened people kill for fun

Maasai tribesman calls for trophy hunting ban

MAASAI warriors in Kenya support our campaign to ban trophy hunting, with one elder labelling it “sickening”.

Boniface Mpario, 45, grew up among the tribe, who live on the plains of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, but moved to the UK in 2017.

He said: “I hope Britain brings in a total ban on the import of trophies and the world follows.”

Ten years ago, “Boni” was part of a group of elders who decided to stop hunting lions being a part of a Maasai warrior’s initiation. He said: “Before, you’d have to participate in a lion hunt to prove your warriorhood. When the Maasai realised we can benefit from conserving wildlife, we decided to stop.

“You can now be recognised as a Maasai warrior without going lion hunting.”

As a boy in southwestern Kenya, Boni looked after livestock, and said: “I grew up with wildlife all around me.

“When I was a boy, I became very close to a bat-eared fox. I used to play with him. I would run around with him.

“It makes me feel sick that trophy hunters, including some from Britain, go to Africa to shoot bat-eared foxes for fun.”

On Sunday, Boni , who lives in Waterlooville, Hants, was among campaigners who handed in a petition of a million signatures to No10, urging Boris Johnson to end trophy hunting.

Boni said: “Conservation and hunting don’t go together.

“More animals means more nature tourism, which means more income for communities.

“I went to high school thanks to money generated by photographic tourism and became a naturalist and safari guide.

“Nobody should be allowed to bring in anything from a trophy hunting trip. Hunt with cameras not rifles. Take photographs.”

The Government has begun a public consultation which will take evidence until February 25.

Support a ban at huntingtrophyconsultation@defra.gov.uk