Paul McCartney is one of the many public figures backing a new campaign to abolish trophy hunting. The initiative, which was launched on July 1, 2026, has over 500 founding signatories, including celebrities like Michael Caine, Emma Thompson, and Liam Gallagher, as well as conservationists and Indigenous leaders. The campaign is calling on the United Nations to prohibit trophy hunting and the international import and export of hunting trophies, with the ultimate goal of securing a global agreement to abolish the practice.
The campaign’s report highlights the devastating impact of trophy hunting on wild animals, with tens of thousands of animals being killed for trophies every year. The most frequently hunted animals include bears, monkeys, and elephants, while critically endangered species like black rhinoceroses are also being targeted. The report also emphasizes the role of international trade, with hunters from 12 countries accounting for 90% of trophy trade activity, and the United States being the largest importer of hunting trophies.
The campaign is built around the legacy of Cecil the lion, who was killed in 2015, and the conservation work of the late Jane Goodall. Goodall was involved in the campaign before her death and helped shape the declaration calling for the abolition of trophy hunting. The campaign’s supporters are now calling on governments and the United Nations to work towards a comprehensive international agreement to abolish trophy hunting and restrict the international trade in hunting trophies. With its broad public profile and high-profile backers, the campaign is putting pressure on governments to take action and make a change.