British campaigners report that more than 500 monkeys and baboons have been killed by British trophy hunters during safari trips. One such disturbing incident involved a grandfather who shot an albino baboon, proudly displayed the bloody corpse in a photo, and later had it preserved as a trophy in his home.
Undercover investigators contacted Chris Hemingway, who shared photos of his trophy room and boasted about his hunting exploits, including shooting a rare white baboon. Hemingway, residing near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, admitted his addiction to safari hunting and mentioned his wife’s involvement in the activity.
The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting uncovered Hemingway’s actions, highlighting the issue in their report titled “Monkey Business.” The report also exposed British hunting holiday firms offering monkey and baboon hunting experiences, such as Prostalk Safaris and Take Aim Safaris.
These companies promote monkey hunting as a challenging activity, with hunters paying trophy fees ranging from £50 to £100 plus additional costs for taxidermy and shipping. Some estates even allow free monkey hunts, considering the animals as pests.
Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall expressed shock at the news, condemning the practice of shooting primates for sport. She emphasized the need to end all trophy hunting, calling it cruel and outdated. Other experts echoed similar sentiments, advocating for a complete ban on trophy hunting to protect primates and other wildlife.
Campaigners and conservationists are urging the government to take action, pushing for a ban on the importation of hunting trophies to prevent further exploitation of animals for souvenirs. Despite political promises, the importation of animal trophies continues, leading to the gruesome display of animal skins and body parts in UK homes.
The importation of trophies, including those from majestic animals like lions and elephants, has raised concerns about the ethical implications of trophy hunting. Calls for immediate legislative action to enforce stronger animal welfare policies and ban trophy imports are intensifying to protect vulnerable wildlife populations.