LONDON—An emotive exhibition by award-winning wildlife photographer Britta Jaschinski, in support of a campaign to end UK imports of hunting trophies, has opened in London to public acclaim. The exhibition, titled “Still Life”, showcases 35 powerful photographs of hunting trophies, and invites visitors to reflect on the immorality of these gruesome, senseless souvenirs obtained when hunters kill threatened and endangered animals simply for fun and bragging rights.
At yesterday evening’s opening event, held by Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International), at London’s Mall Galleries, guests including celebrities and representatives from Border Force and the National Wildlife Crime Unit gathered to view the exhibition and express support for protecting wildlife from the cruel trophy hunting trade. Attendees also heard from Britta Jaschinski, Noma Dube, founder of Zimbabwe Elephant Foundation, and Dr Joyce Poole, co-founder of ElephantVoices.
Jaschinski’s photographs highlight the brutal reality of trophy hunting, showcasing items such as footstools made from elephant feet, bear paw slippers and stuffed lion heads. The objects in the photos were seized by authorities for various reasons including incorrect paperwork, but currently it is legal for British hunters to travel abroad to kill animals and bring back trophies just like these—a cruel injustice that Humane World for Animals is campaigning to end.
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Britta Jaschinski, 2024 photojournalism category winner of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award with “Dusting for New Evidence” (included in the “Still Life” exhibition), said: "Caught-trapped-killed-mutilated dead animals to hang on walls and to display as status symbols? It’s deeply concerning that this not only our past but possibly our future too, unless we make the right choices. Please look at these photographs. Is this really how we envision the world around us? Right now we have an opportunity to bring positive change for animals and humans alike. Every species has a role to play in keeping the balance—the equilibrium we humans depend on."
The Labour Government committed to banning imports of hunting trophies in its 2024 manifesto, but so far has not made any progress. A Private Members’ Bill sponsored by David Reed MP, the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, is due its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 13th June. Two previous trophy hunting Bills failed to pass into law due to lack of Parliamentary time, one having been derailed by a handful of pro-hunting peers in the House of Lords.
Nicola White, senior wildlife campaigns manager at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “Britta's compelling photographs illustrate the tragic waste of animals’ lives in this cruel, outdated and damaging industry. How much longer must animals continue to suffer and die at the hands of British trophy hunters, to be turned into mundane objects such as bottle openers, pencil holders and rugs? Wildlife trade data shows that the number of hunting trophies from endangered animals imported to the UK increased significantly in 2023 with dozens of trophies from animals including lions, elephants, a brown bear, a leopard, a hippo and a cheetah shipped to our shores. With strong public demand for an end to Britain’s role in trophy hunting, the UK Government must deliver its manifesto commitment to ban imports of hunting trophies.”
Hunted animals can experience severe pain, fear and suffering before they die. Many animals hunted for trophies are shot by inexperienced hunters and the industry runs competitions that encourage use of weapons such as crossbows and spears. Hunters target vulnerable and endangered species which are already under increasing pressure from habitat loss, climate change, poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Notes
- The photography exhibition “Still Life” runs from 8-12th April 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, at Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AS. Free admission, no booking required.
- The latest wildlife trade data from CITES shows that the number of hunting trophies from endangered animals imported to the UK increased significantly in 2023, hitting an alarming post-Brexit high. Trophies, such as skins and stuffed body parts, from 39 animals—including lions, elephants, a brown bear, a leopard, a hippo and a cheetah—were shipped to the UK in 2023.
- This year marks 10 years since Cecil the lion suffered for over 10 hours following his wounding by crossbow in 2015, before finally being put out of his misery. Yet the diabolical practice of trophy hunting continues, and trips to kill endangered animals are sold by hunting tour companies here in the UK, such as at the upcoming Stalking Show taking place in Staffordshire on 12-13th April.