Much talk, not enough action on trophy hunts

IN 2015 there was worldwide condemnation of the killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe by US dentist, Walter Palmer and people were made aware of the sickening “sport” of trophy hunting.

Also in 2015, Rory Stewart, the then environment minister, promised to halt the importation of big cat trophies by 2017.

We are still waiting.

In December 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to end the practice of trophy hunters bringing their souvenirs back to the UK and in February 2020 he reaffirmed this promise.

Promises, promises – but no action.

In early December last year the government announced that Britons who trophy hunt abroad will not be allowed to import the trophy body parts of animals into the UK.

It is claimed it will be one of the toughest laws in the world with a penalty of up to five years in prison. Or is it another empty promise?

Unfortunately, the proposed Bill will not go to Parliament until the spring or summer.

According to the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, in the past two years about 300 trophies from endangered animals have been shipped to the UK.

Sadly, more endangered animals will be killed between now and the enforcement of the promised new law, while many of the targeted animals are not only threatened, some are nearing extinction.

All living beings, including us, have a desire to keep living, so what right do hunters have to take the lives of other species for any reason, let alone for pleasure, a quick thrill or a wall decoration?

They could also be robbing future generations of seeing some amazing living animals, and doing considerable harm to ecosystems.

The problem of trophy hunting is not confined to the tropics. I recently learned that a deer stalker from Devon organises Icelandic safaris, costing £2,000, to kill reindeer.

It is reported that reindeer are increasingly endangered and that hunting is one of the threats driving them to extinction.

The proposed law to deter trophy hunters can’t come soon enough. I hope that this time it is more than just another promise.

Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone