Hundreds of animal ‘trophies’ imported to UK despite PM pledging to end ‘barbaric practice’

HUNDREDS of animal “trophies” have been imported despite the PM pledging to end the “barbaric practice”.

The remains of elephants, rhinos, leopards, bears, lions and baboons have entered the UK after being hunted in countries including South Africa, Tanzania, Russia and the US.

Hundreds of animal ‘trophies’ have been imported despite the PM pledging to end the ‘barbaric practice’

Some 334 wild animal trophies have been identified in the past five years, says the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The UK pledged to stop allowing such items to be brought in with the proposed Animals Abroad Bill.

But the legislation has been postponed three times.

Tory MP Pauline Latham said: “Every month of delay is another month where hunters can kill endangered species for fun and then import their body parts into the UK as trophies.”

Claire Bass, of Humane Society International, said: “The PM has made many positive statements.

“We now must see those words become actions.

“Until that happens, iconic species will continue to be mercilessly slaughtered.”

Defra said: “We’ll deliver the change promised, and will set out detailed plans in due course.”

Tory MP Pauline Latham said: ‘Every month of delay is another month where hunters can kill endangered species for fun and then import their body parts into the UK as trophies.’