Those found breaking the ban could land up to a five-year prison sentence
It is set to become illegal for big game hunters to bring ‘trophies’ from endangered animals back to the UK.
Hunters that travel abroad to kill lions, rhinos, elephants and other endangered animals for sport historically bring parts of the animals’ bodies home.
Animal rights groups and anti-hunting organisations have long advocated for a ban.
The British government first agreed to outlaw the practice two years ago and when the ban comes into force, it will account for animals shot in the wild and in captivity that have been bred for the purpose of hunting.
Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said the bill looks in “good shape” but noted it isn’t clear when it will come into force in the UK. “It is really imperative for the Government to bring the Bill to Parliament as quickly as possible,” he urged.
When it does come into force, individuals breaking the ban could land up to a five-year prison sentence.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “More animal species are now threatened with extinction than ever before in human history and we are appalled at the thought of hunters bringing back trophies and placing more pressure on some of our most iconic and endangered animals.
“This would be one of the toughest bans in the world, and goes beyond our manifesto commitment, meaning we will be leading the way in protecting endangered animals and helping to strengthen and support long-term conservation.”
However, Dr Mark Jones, head of policy at animal charity Born Free, said he doesn’t think the legislation goes far enough. Hunters will still be able to bring trophies into the UK that aren’t from endangered animals.
He said: “Campaigners said they would have preferred a total ban on the import of hunting trophies on moral and ethical grounds rather than the Government’s focus on threatened animals.”
In Africa, land that used to be for farming cattle has been turned into expansive hunting grounds for big game hunters. Many land owners say they earn more money from offering tourists the opportunity to shoot big game than they would from cattle farming.
In 2008, documentarian Louis Theroux visited South Africa to film a documentary about big game hunting. He heard from people paying to shoot animals and the people who have set up the captive spaces to house those animals.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously condemned big game hunting, once calling it a “disgusting trade.”
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