The world was horrified when American dentist Walter Palmer shot Cecil the lion in 2015, but it left us thinking that only Americans commit these atrocities, how wrong we were. It turns out British trophy hunters fly to Africa every year to shoot lions.
Many of the poor animals have been bred in captivity. They are tame animals who will be shot in enclosures they can’t escape from. How cowardly is that?
It gets worse though, British trophy hunters love shooting elephants too, it’s their favourite animal, according to official records. They shoot them for their tusks; their skins.
Hardly a day goes by without a new story about how the world’s wildlife is under increasing threat. So imagine my shock when I found out that British trophy hunters are shooting polar bears – an animal at risk of extinction.
Like many Express readers, I have enjoyed the wonderful wildlife TV documentaries of incredible animals like cheetahs. Imagine my utter horror, then, to discover that British trophy hunters are shooting these incredible big cats. There are even British-owned companies that sell trophy hunting holidays where you can go and shoot cheetahs, for fun!
Enough is enough. We’re a nation of animal lovers and I’m determined to help put an end to this evil trade. That’s why I’m bringing a bill to Parliament that will stop British trophy hunters bringing their sick souvenirs back into this country.
It’s a bill that enjoys the support of 9 out of 10 voters; it’s backed by wildlife charities and I’m delighted that it is supported by both the Government and opposition parties. This is an issue that has nothing to do with party politics; it has everything to do with basic British values of decency, fairness, and respect for our natural world.
But the hunting and gun lobby are rich and powerful, they want to defend so-called “hunters’ rights”.
So it is up to you – to all of us – to stand up to them and to stand up for voiceless animals. Please ask your MP to get behind my bill – and help make trophy hunting history.
Henry Smith MP
