• It is 10 years since Cecil the lion was killed at the hands of a trophy hunter, igniting a global campaign to ban the import of hunting trophies into the UK
• 85% of the British public support a ban on hunting trophy imports
• Dame Joanna Lumley renews calls for a UK import ban to ensure Cecil’s death is not in vain
• Almost 1,500 trophy items from CITES-listed species have been exported to the UK between 2014-2023
• Government manifesto promises to ban the import of trophy hunting items to UK date back to 2019

London, 3 July – Last night, celebrities including Dame Joanna Lumley, parliamentarians and animal welfare campaigners, supported an event in Westminster, hosted by Ruth Jones MP for Newport West and Islwyn and organised by FOUR PAWS UK, Born Free and Humane World for Animals UK, to mark 10 years since Cecil the lion was killed.  Shot with a bow and arrow by American dentist Walter Palmer, Cecil only died after suffering for 10 brutal hours. Cecil’s tragic death sparked a global outcry and ignited the movement to end the UK’s involvement in the cruel, outdated and damaging practice of trophy hunting.  

Since that fateful night in July 2015, successive governments have repeatedly made promises to end the UK’s involvement in this cruel trade. However, it’s now been six years since the then Government first committed to ban the import of hunting trophies in their 2019 election manifesto. Since then, two Private Members Bills have attempted to make it through Parliament. The first, Henry Smith MP’s Bill, was defeated by a group of pro-hunting Peers in the Lords. The second, led by John Spellar MP, fell when the election was called. At the 2024 General election itself, Labour reaffirmed their commitment to a ban, but so far we have seen no action from the new administration.  

Over the years, the call has remained the same: end the UK’s involvement in the cruel so-called sport. Last night’s event brought together a coalition of global NGOs (FOUR PAWS UK, Humane World for Animals and Born Free) who have worked tirelessly to secure a UK ban on the import of hunting trophies.  

FOUR PAWS UK Country Director, Sonul Badiani-Hamment says: 

“In the ten years since Cecil was killed, trophy hunting has continued, and thousands of the world’s most magnificent animals have met a similar fate - slaughtered for nothing more than a hunter’s gratification.  

Cecil’s death should have been the catalyst for change. Instead, the killing goes on with more animals reduced to ornaments, rugs or coffee tables by those who take pleasure in their suffering. We cannot afford to waste any more time. The Government must now act with urgency, honour its commitment, and finally deliver a ban on the import of hunting trophies into the UK.” 

Dame Joanna Lumley, Born Free Patron says: 

“The brutal, senseless killing of Cecil a decade ago shocked and enraged me as it shocked and enraged the world. A proud, beautiful creature murdered for ‘sport’ in a display of senseless cruelty. It was an act of barbarism emblematic of the utterly grim and outdated practice of trophy hunting. We need a ban on the import of hunting trophies here in Britain. Cecil’s death cannot be in vain." 

Claire Bass, senior director campaigns and public affairs at Humane World for Animals said: 

“Since Cecil was killed, trophies from over 1,000 endangered and threatened animals have been destined for export to the UK. The Government must bring in a ban as promised, and stop British hunters shipping back hundreds more sick souvenirs.” 

Despite more than 80% of the British public supporting a ban on trophy hunting imports, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) data indicates a worrying upturn in the import of hunting trophies into the UK. Disturbingly, the number of lions imported into the UK has also increased. Just two were imported in 2022, and this grew to 28 in 2023.  

Last night was a poignant reminder of the events of 10 years ago. The aim now is for this to be the stimulus for change, and for Parliamentary time to be secured to finally deliver the promise to end the UK’s involvement in trophy hunting.