LONDON—
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, leading animal protection organisation Humane Society International/UK to call for urgent Government action to ban the senseless, cruel trade. Trophies, such as skins and stuffed body parts like animal heads, from 39 animals—including lions, elephants, a brown bear, a leopard, a hippo and a cheetah—were shipped to the UK in 2023, recently released records reveal. This is over four times more than were imported in 2022.
Imports in 2023 include trophies from five African elephants, a species which is the focus of a documentary released this week by HSI highlighting the cruelty and damage resulting from the killing of these magnificent and highly social animals.
The number of lions imported to the UK as trophies leapt from two in 2022 to a shocking 28 in 2023, making lions the most targeted choice for UK hunters who crave a gruesome souvenir and bragging rights.
Nicola White, Humane Society International/UK’s senior wildlife campaigns manager, said: “The longer the UK Government takes to deliver its manifesto commitment to ban imports of hunting trophies, the more animals will continue to suffer and die to be turned into ornaments, rugs and coffee tables by selfish British trophy hunters. Over 80 percent of the British public support a ban and the Government must deliver on its election promise to finally put an end to the UK’s part in this cruel, outdated and damaging industry.
Last week the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, sponsored by David Reed MP, was due for its second reading in the House of Commons; however, it was postponed to 13th June 2025 due to lack of time. 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.
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.
This year marks ten 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 this diabolical practice 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 in April.
Hunting trophies can come in many forms, not only as full-body taxidermy or wall-mounted heads, but also with tiger skins as rugs, elephant feet as footstools, hippo skulls as coffee tables and teeth or tails as trinkets. Hunters target vulnerable and endangered species which are already under increasing pressure from habitat loss, climate change, poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
ENDS Media contact: Sally Ivens, HSI/UK: sivens@hsi.org Notes:
- Trophies can refer to entire animals or body parts; the numbers in this press release refer to individual animals traded as trophies, rather than body parts.
- HSI analyses CITES data using select body parts that represent a single animal, to estimate the most accurate number of animals who are killed and traded as trophies.
- CITES, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is an international agreement between governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
- CITES data on the number of hunting trophies imported into the UK in previous years is as follows: nine in 2022, 10 in 2021 and 25 in 2020.
- Earlier this week, HSI released a documentary directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Nick Chevallier, which investigates the tragic plight of super tuskers and their critical importance to the survival of the larger elephant population. It raises awareness of not only the cruelty of trophy hunting, but also the industry’s exploitation of local custodians and natural heritage. Through interviews with influential Kenyan and Tanzanian community members, pastoralists, scientists and global conservationists, including Dr. Audrey Delsink and Claire Bass from Humane Society International, the documentary highlights the biological, ecological, economic and cultural significance of these imperilled animals.