Support for trophy hunting ban

ALMOST two thirds of the British public support a ban on trophy hunting, according to a new survey. 

The Survation poll found 63 per cent of respondents wanted the sport to be banned. Around three quarters supported blocking the imports of animal body parts from hunting to Britain, the same poll reported in the Daily Mirror found. 

 It comes as the Born Free animal rights charity said about 2,500 trophies were shipped to Britain from 2008 to 2017. 

Born Free’s head of policy Mark Jones said: Trophy hunting is a cruel and damaging relic of a colonial era that causes immense animal suffering and disrupts wildlife.” 

Among the body parts imported were ones from 560 African elephants, more than 300 hippopotamuses and 265 American black bears. There were also almost 100 Nile crocodile parts and 80 from African lions, according to the charity. 

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said he would not hesitate to act if there was a case for a ban and has called for evidence to be presented.