Ricky Hatton followed Ozzy Osbourne in ‘last act of kindness’
The rock legend signed a campaign letter addressed to the UK government calling for urgent action
Ozzy Osbourne made a ‘last act of kindness’ before his passing(Image: Getty Images)
Ozzy Osbourne carried out a ‘last act of kindness’ shortly before his tragic passing to help endangered animals.
The rock legend from Birmingham, who died on July 22 at the age of 76, signed a campaign letter alongside more than 100 leading figures and celebrities, calling for the UK government to outlaw the import of hunting trophies.
It comes as a new report revealed British hunters are still being allowed to shoot endangered rhinoceroses for sport, while UK firms openly market rhino-shooting holidays online.
Campaigners say that despite a series of promises stretching back a decade, legislation to outlaw hunting trophies has yet to materialise.
The letter – signed by celebrities such as Sir Michael Caine, Kate Winslet, Dame Judi Dench, Ricky Gervais and Ozzy – said: “We are shocked that British hunters are allowed to bring home trophies of endangered wildlife such as rhinoceroses, elephants, cheetahs, polar bears and leopards.
“They are killing threatened species including hippos, giraffes, wolves, wild cats and monkeys, and shooting hand-reared lions in enclosed areas.
“We are mystified at the continuing lack of government action.
“It’s surely time for Britain to get the ban done.”
The appeal has been released to coincide with World Rhino Day.
The letter says that a bill has already been drafted by officials and even passed unanimously in the Commons as a private member’s bill.
Yet it was missing from the most recent King’s Speech.
Alongside Ozzy, another British icon who penned his support shortly before his passing was British boxer Ricky Hatton, who died on September 14, aged 46.
Eduardo Gonçalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting (CBHT), said: “It is deeply moving that Ozzy Osbourne and Ricky Hatton made this their last acts of kindness.
“They leave behind a legacy not just in music and sport, but also in compassion.
“Their voices, along with so many others, show just how strong and united Britain is on this issue.
“The government must act now and finally keep its word.
“Every day of delay means more endangered animals shot for sick trophies.
“Britain should be leading the world with the toughest ban possible.”
CBTH was founded by conservationist and investigative journalist Eduardo in 2018.
The organisation has repeatedly warned that trophy hunting not only causes immense cruelty to individual animals but also undermines conservation efforts.
