HomeIndices Analysis“Uncovering the Truth: British Hunters’ Role in the Global Bloodsport Exposed in New Books”

“Uncovering the Truth: British Hunters’ Role in the Global Bloodsport Exposed in New Books”

A groundbreaking trilogy of investigative books is shedding light on Britain’s disturbing involvement in the global trophy hunting industry. Released on the tenth anniversary of the killing of Cecil the Lion, the three-part series, written by conservationist Eduardo Goncalves, is being hailed as the most comprehensive and damning investigation into trophy hunting to date.

Titled Mainlining on Heroin, Twenty Elephants in Seventy-Five Minutes, and Shoot One Lion – Get One FREE, the books expose the true extent of the billion-dollar trophy hunting trade and the role of UK citizens in perpetuating it. For the first time, the voices of trophy hunters are heard in their own words, detailing their obsession with killing and their gruesome hunting methods. Some even compare the thrill of the kill to a drug, with one British hunter likening shooting a black rhino to “mainlining on heroin.”

The trilogy also uncovers the involvement of UK-based taxidermists, travel companies, and estate managers in profiting from the trade. It reveals how trophy hunting holidays are marketed like package tours, complete with price lists, cull discounts, and photo opportunities. Some packages even offer “two animals for the price of one” and allow children to participate.

In Twenty Elephants in Seventy-Five Minutes, hunters boast about building trophy rooms with hundreds of mounted animals and brag about killing gorillas and 5,000 elephants. Shoot One Lion – Get One FREE delves into the safari industry’s marketing tactics, with quotes such as “take plenty of cash…you can’t stop.”

The trilogy features forewords from renowned conservationists Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, and Priscilla Presley. Goodall has praised Goncalves as “the undeniable expert” on trophy hunting, while Judi Dench hopes the books will have a greater impact than the death of Cecil. Presley adds, “Policymakers now have no excuse not to act.”

Goncalves, who also produced the documentary Britain’s Trophy Hunters, stated, “Since Cecil was killed ten years ago, trophy hunters have shot another 10,000 lions. The cruelty we uncovered was shocking, and it’s happening with the full knowledge of governments, including our own.” He adds, “Trophy hunting is not about conservation – it’s about thrill-killing. These books expose a cruel, colonial pastime dressed up as sport and reveal how deeply Britain is entrenched in this dirty trade.”

In 2019, the UK government pledged to ban the import of hunting trophies. However, delays have prevented the commitment from being fulfilled. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Shane Rodrigues, son of the Zimbabwean conservationist who named Cecil’s killer, wrote, “British trophy hunters have shot 100 lions since Cecil. They’re also killing cheetahs, leopards, and elephants. Labour promised to act. Now is the time to deliver.”

All proceeds from the trilogy will go towards the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and the Wildlife & Conservation Foundation. A trailer for the accompanying documentary can be viewed at https://youtu.be/vkfEjVsOHmI.

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