British trophy hunters have imported bodies or parts of bodies of 1,800 endangered animals since the killing of Cecil the lion more than a decade ago – despite pledges from successive governments to outlaw the practice.
Hunters brought home the bodies of lions and bears, and the ears, feet and tails of elephants and giraffes, as well as elephant tusks and leopard bones.
Permits were also given for hunting trophies of critically endangered black rhinos and cheetahs, Africa’s most endangered big cat.
open image in galleryIn all, parts or whole bodies from more than 50 species classed as endangered were legally brought back to Britain.
The most recent import permits were issued despite Labour promising to ban hunting trophy imports in its election manifesto. However, ministers omitted a ban from this month’s King’s Speech.
Campaigners and MPs have branded delays on a ban of hunting trophies “a shameful betrayal”.
The report by the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, called Decade of Betrayal, showed that 28 special import permits have been issued since Labour came to power in 2024.
open image in gallerySNP MP Seamus Logan has written to the environment secretary Emma Reynolds calling for a ban after reading the report, saying issuing permits was “unconscionable”.
UK hunters pay thousands of pounds to legally shoot animals overseas and bring back bodies or body parts as souvenirs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued permits for 263 elephant hunting trophies over the decade, including for 44 tusks, 29 ears, eight feet and four tails. Permits were also issued for 256kg of tusks and 3kg of ears.
open image in galleryAfter elephants, the “top 10” of most popular animals with hunters were bears, hippopotamuses, lions, baboons, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, antelopes and leopards.
Responding to a parliamentary question by the Green MP Adrian Ramsay, ministers admitted issuing 28 special import permits under Labour.
The Conservatives broke pledges to introduce a ban. Liz Truss and Rory Stewart as environment secretaries both promised one after uproar over the killing of Cecil the lion in 2015.
Boris Johnson also U-turned on a ban when he was prime minister. The Lords have twice blocked separate Bills to introduce a ban.
Labour MP Mary Glindon said she was very concerned that the ban appeared to be a low priority while import licences were issued.
“We should lead the world in protecting endangered species, and stopping a practice that most people find abhorrent. The government must act with urgency and ensure that this ban is brought forward without further delay,” she said.
open image in galleryCampaign to Ban Trophy Hunting founder Eduardo Gonçalves accused successive governments of “cowardice and broken promises”.
He said: “The public overwhelmingly supports this ban, MPs from every major party support this, and still the government refuses to act while endangered animals continue to be gunned down for grotesque wall ornaments and bragging rights.
“Britain’s continued involvement in this is a national disgrace.”
He claimed Ms Reynolds had refused to meet him and did not reply to correspondence, and that if it wanted to, the government could issue an immediate moratorium on issuing permits without new legislation.
Animal welfare minister Baroness Sue Hayman did meet the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and similar organisations last month.
open image in galleryIn a consultation in 2019-20, 44,000 people responded, of whom 86 per cent backed a ban.
Veteran Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said the omission from the King’s Speech was profoundly troubling. “This is not a party political issue, it is a matter of basic decency and moral responsibility. We must honour previous commitments and bring forward the legislation needed to end this practice once and for all,” he said.
Green MP Adrian Ramsay said the imports went against “the heart of British values of compassion”, adding: “This is wrong and immoral.”
Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse accused the government of betrayal. “This is a sad moment for wildlife protection, animal welfare, and animal rights,” she said.
A Defra spokesperson said: “We have a strong track record of delivering for animal welfare and we remain firmly committed to introducing a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. We will bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.”
The report uses statistics from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.