Big shame: Outrage as hunters' sickening haul of elephant tusks and big cat trophy heads is exported to Scotland

• 00:01, 30 August 2015
• By Lynn McPherson

GOVERNMENT watchdogs revealed the items were included in a haul exported to the United Kingdom and transported north of the Border by hunters.

A pile of 15 tonnes of elephant ivory seized in Kenya

TUSKS from endangered African elephants were among the big game trophies brought into Scotland last year. Government watchdogs revealed the items were included in a haul exported to the United Kingdom and transported north of the Border by hunters.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) say an elephant-skin rifle bag and eight bracelets made from the hair of African elephants were also flown into the country.

Official figures reveal other animal trophies included heads, skins and the skulls of endangered big cats and hippos. One hunter brought back the hide of a grizzly bear.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK spokeswoman Elisa Allen said: “It’s time for the Government to take action and stop the shipment of dead elephants’ and lions’ parts from entering Scotland.

“Most Scottish people are appalled by the idea of gunning down sensitive, intelligent animals – whether they be elephants or foxes – and understand that this so-called ‘sport’ has no place in the modern world.”

American dentist Dr Walter Palmer sparked an outcry after killing Cecil the lion during a hunting trip in Zimbabwe

Hunting came under added scrutiny after the killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe by Walter Palmer.
The American dentist sparked outrage when it emerged he paid around £30,000 to kill the animal in July, before being pictured on social media posing with its carcass.

The Sunday Mail revealed earlier this month how Highlands-based Peter Swales organises safaris where millionaire clients can shoot a lion for £60,000. Bringing hunting trophies back to the UK is legal as long as the animal was not killed illegally. BA and Virgin have said they would not carry big-game trophies on flights in the wake of the Palmer story.

All legal hunters are registered and must apply for an import licence from the UK Government – as well as having an export licence from the country where the hunting took place – to transport their trophies home.

A total of 155 trophy import licences have been granted by the UK agency over the last five years, including 61 licences in the last 12 months. In the past year alone, 10 licences were used for African elephant trophies. The species is in danger of becoming extinct, according to the World Wildlife Fund, with demand for ivory in Asia leading to a rise in poaching.

But APHA said: “Properly managed, legal and sustainable trophy hunting can play a part in species conservation efforts, including providing funding for some countries.”

Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “These sickening examples of Scots importing so-called trophies made from elephants are a reminder we need to support conservation efforts and shame those who take joy from inflicting cruelty on wild and endangered animals.”

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