Hunting trophy imports to Australia have actually risen as global trophy imports fall, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
International calls to ban trophy hunting have increased since the brutal killing of Cecil the Lion in July.
Nationally, trophy hunting has been in the spotlight since February, when photographs of former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath posing with dead wildlife while on a hunting safari in Africa sparked a wave of outrage.
Figures from the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Trade Database show a gradual rise in trophy imports to Australia. Globally, trophy imports fell by 22 per cent between 2009 and 2013.
In what can be viewed as a great start to ending the importation of all animal trophies, federal environment Minister Greg Hunt announced a ban in March of the importation of lion trophies as part of a crackdown on canned hunting - but more needs to be done!
Money returned to local communities from hunting operators is insignificant when compared with money generated from wildlife tourism - there is no justification for supporting trophy hunting.
Will you join me in urging the Australian government to send a message to the world - that we value these animals, that we are not interested in putting a price tag on their heads and hang them from our walls!
Please sign and share the petition.
