‘A true rock legend with a heart of gold’: Ban Trophy Hunting campaign pays tribute to Birmingham's Ozzy Osbourne following his death
Campaigners say they are “heartbroken” at the death of the Black Sabbath icon who used his global platform to speak out for animals, one of his final causes was calling for a UK ban on trophy hunting.
The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting has paid tribute to Birmingham's Ozzy Osbourne, saying the rock icon’s death marks the loss of a “true legend” who used his fame to give animals a voice.
Ozzy and wife Sharon were proud and vocal supporters of the campaign, lending their star power to the growing public pressure on the UK government to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals.
Just this year, Ozzy auctioned off a limited run of personally signed t-shirts to raise money for the campaign and help “get the ban over the line.” The shirts were released ahead of what was set to be his farewell show at Villa Park stadium in Birmingham.
Speaking about the campaign in one of his final charitable acts, the rock legend said: “Trophy hunters are totally crazy. You’ve got to be barking to kill an innocent animal and then take photos of yourself laughing about it.
"We’ve all got to do our bit. I like to design things so I’ve done a t-shirt for the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. The government said it would ban hunting trophies, so get on with it! Tell your MP you want it banned right now!”
Sharon added: “Ozzy and I are big supporters of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. Let’s make trophy hunting extinct, not wildlife.”
The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting was founded by conservationist and investigative author Eduardo Gonçalves. It works to end the import of trophies from animals killed abroad, especially those from endangered species, by pressuring governments to legislate and close the UK market to this “sick industry.”
Before Christmas, the UK government promised to allocate parliamentary time to pass the ban, but campaigners including the Osbournes had continued to demand action, warning that delays were costing animals their lives.
Ozzy also spoke out just weeks ago against hunting tour companies offering horrifying beaver-killing holidays to British tourists, which he branded “pure evil.”
He said: “Bull-dozing these poor innocent beavers’ homes with tractors and then setting packs of dogs on them is pure evil. I just cannot believe that there are people who will pay to kill these animals for entertainment. How the **** is this allowed?”
Campaign founder Eduardo Gonçalves said today: “We are heartbroken. Ozzy Osbourne was more than a rock legend – he was a man with an immense moral clarity when it came to the horror of trophy hunting.
"Together with Sharon, he stood shoulder to shoulder with us, lending his voice and star power to shine a spotlight on the suffering of animals killed for fun. We owe him a great debt, and we will continue this campaign in his honour.
"On behalf of the entire team and our supporters worldwide, we send our deepest condolences to Sharon and the Osbourne family. Ozzy may have left us, but his voice for animals will never be silenced.”
The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting is calling on the Labour Government to act swiftly to bring in the long-promised ban. The legislation has overwhelming cross-party support, and campaigners say it is time to “name a date” and deliver on the pledge.
To find out more about the campaign or to support the Osbourne family’s call to action, visit www.bantrophyhunting.org