Rick Gervais' urgent plea on trophy hunting ban as he slams 'sick' and 'pathetic' sport

Rick Gervais' urgent plea on trophy hunting ban as he slams 'sick' and 'pathetic' sport EXCLUSIVE: Comedian Ricky Gervais told The Mirror that trophy hunting is 'one of the most pathetic and indefensible things human beings do' as pressure mounts on the government to deliver on its promises Celebrities Ricky Gervais, Alan Cumming and Heather Mills have called on Mirror readers to get behind a "final push" to outlaw trophy hunting worldwide. Mr Gervais told The Mirror that the sick sport is "one of the most pathetic and indefensible things human beings do" as pressure mounts on ministers to bring it to an end. The comedian and star of The Office and After Life joined activists demanding an international treaty banning the hunting of animals to keep body parts - like their heads and skins - as souvenirs. Activists voiced their fury earlier this year after plans to ban these vile trophies from being imported were shelved, despite being promised in the Labour manifesto. Mr Gervais said: “Trophy hunting is one of the most pathetic and indefensible things human beings do. These animals aren't trophies. They aren't wall decorations. They aren't status symbols. They're living, feeling creatures with families, social bonds and a right to exist free from cruelty and exploitation." A petition calling for the United Nations to get behind a worldwide Abolition Declaration has attracted thousands of signatures. The comic said: “The Abolition Declaration is a chance for the world to draw a line and say we've evolved beyond this barbaric nonsense. Future generations will look back at trophy hunting in the same way we look back at bear baiting and other blood sports: with disbelief that anyone ever thought it was acceptable." Meanwhile actor Mr Cumming told this newspaper: "Trophy hunting represents one of the most outdated and disturbing expressions of humanity's belief that we have the right to dominate the natural world. "Wild animals are not targets, trophies or souvenirs. They are sentient beings with lives that matter, and they deserve our respect and protection. "At a time when biodiversity is collapsing and so many species are fighting for survival, killing animals for sport and vanity is indefensible." And model and businesswoman Ms Mills said: “No animal should lose its life so that someone can take home a photograph or hang a head on a wall. Our most iconic wildlife deserves our admiration and protection, not to become trophies." This newspaper has long campaigned for a ban on trophy hunting imports. And despite delays, Defra minister Mary Creagh said the government was committed to bringing one in late last year. But a series of trophy hunting Bills failed to pass into law due to lack of Parliamentary time - including one which was derailed by a handful of pro-hunting peers in the House of Lords in 2023. Eduardo Goncales, founder of The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: "Mirror readers have been instrumental in the fight for this legislation, but we still need your support to get it over the finish line, both here in the UK and around the world. Please stand with us for this final push. "Write to your MP, sign our petition, and help us finally make this ban law. The Bill has already passed through the House of Commons unanimously not once, but twice, in 2023 and again in 2024, proving there is overwhelming cross-party support. It narrowly missed becoming law after running out of parliamentary time in the House of Lords in 2023, and then the 2024 General Election brought proceedings to an end before it could complete its journey." And referring to the killing of Cecil the Lion - whose death sparked worldwide outrage in 2015 - he said: "Now, on the 11th anniversary of Cecil's death, we have another opportunity to finish what Parliament has already shown it wants to do. Every Daily Mirror reader has a voice and together we can help make this historic ban a reality." A Defra spokesperson said: “We have a strong track record of delivering for animal welfare and we remain firmly committed to introducing a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. “We will bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.”