Ricky Gervais has urged the Government to ban trophy hunting imports, branding the trade "one of the most pathetic and indefensible things human beings do". The comedian, 65, issued a direct appeal to Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, urging the minister to deliver on Labour’s election promise to outlaw hunters bringing home parts of animals killed overseas.
In a video, Gervais, who supports the Mirror’s campaign against trophy hunting, said: "Right now, British hunters are killing lions, leopards, elephants and giraffes just for fun. A ban on hunting trophies is supported by 92% of British people. It’s a no-brainer. Let’s ban trophy hunting now."
Labour’s pledge remains unfulfilled
His intervention comes amid frustration that more than two years after Labour swept to power, its pledge has still not become law. In 2024, Labour’s manifesto promised to ban the import of hunting trophies – body parts from animals such as lions, elephants and wildebeest shot overseas and brought back to Britain as souvenirs and decorations.
Since the election, Defra officials have issued at least 33 import permits to Brits bringing home trophies from some of the world’s most-threatened animals. The body parts were taken from 18 African elephants, five hippos, three black bears, two brown bears, a lion, a leopard, a giraffe, a Nile crocodile and a scimitar-horned oryx.
Campaigners demand action
Campaigners say every month of delay means more animals are being killed and their body parts being legally brought into Britain. Previous attempts to introduce a ban have repeatedly stalled. A Hunting Trophies Bill was backed by MPs in the Commons in 2023 but failed to become law after running out of time in the House of Lords.
Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: "Ricky’s video message spells it out in black and white. Voters want this outlawed right now."
Government response
A Defra spokesperson said: "We have a strong record on animal welfare, and we remain firmly committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. We will legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows."
This summer, Gervais told The Mirror that the sport is "one of the most pathetic and indefensible things human beings do". The comedian and star of The Office and After Life joined activists demanding an international treaty banning the hunting of animals to keep body parts, like their heads and skins, as souvenirs.
He said: "Trophy hunting is one of the most pathetic and indefensible things human beings do. These animals aren't trophies. They aren't wall decorations. They aren't status symbols. They're living, feeling creatures with families, social bonds and a right to exist free from cruelty and exploitation."
