Cecil’s Law would ban the import of animal body parts as trophies to the UK from anywhere in the world. We want to introduce legislation that would make animal heads, skins, claws, and teeth effectively contraband. In the outrage that followed the illegal slaughter of Cecil, we found out that Britain has allowed the importation of lion trophies with the correct paperwork.

The killing of Cecil the Lion lured from his home in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park by an American trophy hunter shocked and outraged people around the world.

We are calling for the creation of a “Cecil’s Law” in the UK – a fitting legacy for this magnificent creature who, by his death, opened millions of eyes to the disgusting ‘sport’ of trophy hunting and ‘canned hunting’, in which wild animals are actually bred in captivity purely to be slaughtered for fun.

Cecil’s Law would ban the import of animal body parts as trophies to the UK from anywhere in the world.

Brian May said: “It would be wonderful if all the new determination by the public to end this senseless slaughter, inspired by Cecil’s death, were turned into action to end such atrocities. We believe such a step would be welcomed by the vast majority of the British public – in a sense, Cecil’s legacy.”

Will Travers, President of the Born Free Foundation said: “This story is so shocking on so many levels. Cecil was of huge value to Zimbabwe’s economy and their Wildlife Service. Now he is gone. According to the information I have received, the carcass of a freshly killed animal – a ‘bait’ – was used to lure Cecil out of the protected area where he was shot with a bow and arrow. The use of a bow and arrow could imply either that the hunter wished to do this on the quiet – no gunshot – or that he was able to get up close enough to use a bow and arrow. Cecil was not afraid of people and so relatively approachable.”

Will went on to say: “Cecil was also collared and was part of a long-running Oxford University Research Project. Tragically, 24 of the 62 lions that have been tagged by the project have been shot by sport hunters and one can only imagine the negative impact that the sport hunting of lions is having on the lion population of Zimbabwe.”

Teresa M. Telecky, Ph.D., director of the wildlife department at Humane Society International said, “We must do all we can to stop trophy hunters from bringing their gruesome trophies home as this will deprive them of what they most want, and the reason they pursue this sick hobby. Cecil’s Law will do just that.”

MC Hammer said, “Can’t believe this man counted it as valour to lure Cecil out of his protective home and kill him.”

Anne Brummer, CEO of Save Me Trust said, “Cecil’s death was brutal and pointless. We want to stop trophy hunting by banning the import of animal body parts into the UK and encourage other countries to follow our lead. Cecil’s Law will be a lasting legacy for a magnificent lion.”