It’s been seven years since the death of Cecil the lion at the hands of an American dentist turned trophy hunter. Cecil was the head of two prides in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, and an important part of an ongoing conservation research project. However, this did not stop Walter Palmer from luring Cecil outside the safety of the protected National Park with an elephant carcass as bait.   

Palmer shot Cecil with a bow and arrow, mortally wounding but not instantly killing him. Cecil suffered terribly for another nine hours at least before he was finally put out of his misery, and his GPS collar destroyed to cover up this horrific act of cruelty. This is just one example of the countless killings that happen each year in the name of ‘sport’.  Since then, British trophy hunters have killed at least 60 more lions despite various commitments from Government promising a ban on hunting trophies being imported onto our shores. 

With the ever-changing recent political turmoil and cost of living crisis, we’re worried that commitments to improving animal welfare might slip from the Government’s agenda despite their promises. 

Henry Smith MP’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill is having its Second Reading in Parliament on 25 November, and we need all the support we can get to make sure this Bill passes through Parliament successfully.  

Will you email your MP and urge them to support the Bill and vote in favour of its passing?