Draft:Protect the Wild
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Protect the Wild is a UK-based nonprofit animal rights organisation dedicated to protecting British wildlife. Founded in 2015 under the name Keep the Ban, the group campaigns against fox hunting, badger culling, and bird shooting through a combination of investigations, journalism, public mobilisation, and policy advocacy. The organisation is known for its undercover footage, national campaigns, and high-profile endorsements.
History
[edit]Protect the Wild was established in 2015 by Rob Pownall as Keep the Ban, initially focused on opposing government efforts to repeal the 2004 Hunting Act. Over time, the group expanded its mission to address broader issues of wildlife persecution, leading to a rebrand in 2022 as Protect the Wild. The animal rights organisation has since grown a significant supporter base and social media following.
Campaigns and Investigations
[edit]Investigation into Cub hunting
[edit]Also in 2023, Protect the Wild contributed to a report by Euronews Green exposing the little-known practice of fox cub hunting, known as cubbing. The group provided context on its prevalence and impact on wildlife.[1]
Annual Hunting Report
[edit]In 2024, Protect the Wild published a report documenting nearly 600 wild animals—primarily foxes and deer—chased or killed during the 2023/24 hunting season. The report received national media attention, including coverage by The Independent, and was backed by broadcaster and conservationist Chris Packham.[2]
Protest at Oxford University
[edit]In October 2024, Protect the Wild organised a protest at Oxford University targeting Professor Sir Charles Godfray, criticising his involvement in a new bovine TB policy review. The protest was reported in the Oxford Mail.[3]
Campaign Targeting Jeremy Clarkson's Pub
[edit]Later in 2024, the organisation added The Farmer's Dog to a public list of 272 venues which have been declared "blood businesses". This was due in part to Jeremy Clarkson's sponsorship of a horse-racing event that raised funds for the Heythrop Hunt. The action was covered by The Express and other publications.[4]
Fox Cull at Enfield Golf Club
[edit]In 2025, Protect the Wild condemned the killing of urban foxes at Enfield Golf Club, citing unnecessary cruelty and ecological harm. The incident was reported by BBC News.[5]
Media Exposure and Collaborations
[edit]In 2021, Protect the Wild (then operating as Keep the Ban) released undercover footage showing hounds being shot at the kennels of the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt. The footage, captured as part of an investigation into the treatment of hunting hounds, was broadcast nationally by ITV News and subsequently covered by other national outlets including the Daily Mail. The ITV News report featured founder Rob Pownall speaking about the investigation.[6]
Comedian and animal rights advocate Ricky Gervais responded to the footage, telling ITV: "It is so deeply upsetting that foxhounds are trained against their natural instinct to hunt foxes and when they catch them, rip them to pieces! Then they are killed, usually by a shot to the head... Both the hound and the fox become the victim of this cruelty. It's insane, don't you think?"[6]
In 2021, the group's petitions received support from figures like Chris Packham, including a Boxing Day anti-trail hunting campaign featured in the Metro.[7]
Protect the Wild also collaborated with fashion designer Stella McCartney on an anti-hunting awareness campaign.
In 2024, Pownall appeared as an expert contributor on the BBC documentary series Expert Witness. In the episode, he discussed recent hare coursing incidents, why the activity is harmful to wildlife, and the importance of using DNA evidence in prosecuting wildlife crimes. The episode aired on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.[8]
Policy and FOI Work
[edit]In 2020, Protect the Wild (as Keep the Ban) revealed that a Conservative council granted £50,000 in COVID relief funds to a fox hunt. This was covered in both the Daily Mirror and The London Economic.[9]
In 2023, the group criticised the government's new bovine TB review, calling it a "sham." This was reported by Vet Times.[10]
Controversies
[edit]In 2022, Protect the Wild returned and reallocated funds raised for a fox rescue following public concerns over the rescue's practices. The organisation issued a public apology and refunded/reallocated donations. The incident was covered in The Telegraph.[11]
Structure and Funding
[edit]Protect the Wild is a nonprofit company limited by guarantee. It is funded through small monthly donations from supporters, without corporate or government backing. The group is led by founder Rob Pownall.
See also
[edit]- Hunting Act 2004
- Fox hunting in the United Kingdom
- Badger culling in the United Kingdom
- Animal rights in the United Kingdom
References
[edit]- ^ "'Britain's most vile and sordid secrets': Fox cubbing". euronews. July 19, 2023.
- ^ "Hundreds of foxes and deer chased and killed in latest hunting season, report says". Independent.co.uk.
- ^ "Campaigners protest in city over Oxford University scientist TB review". Oxford Mail. March 7, 2025.
- ^ Govan, Chloe (September 25, 2024). "Jeremy Clarkson's pub faces major blow as punters plan boycott over hunting row". Express.co.uk.
- ^ "Apology after foxes culled on Enfield Golf Club' grounds". BBC News. April 3, 2025.
- ^ a b https://www.itv.com/news/2021-10-08/secret-filming-shows-hunting-hounds-being-shot-dead-at-kennels
- ^ "Chris Packham calls Boxing Day 'trail' hunts a 'smokescreen for cruelty'". December 26, 2021.
- ^ "Expert Witness - Series 2 (Reversions): 8. Late Night Murder / Hounded to Death" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ McLaughlin, Chris (September 12, 2020). "Tories bail out 'barbaric fox hunters' with £50,000 cash to survive coronavirus". Daily Mirror.
- ^ "Vet Times: Latest Veterinary News, Jobs & Clinical Resources". www.vettimes.com.
- ^ Dixon, Hayley (April 30, 2022). "Anti-hunting group criticised over appeal for 'cruel' fox hospital run from cramped room". The Telegraph – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
Category:Animal rights organisations based in the United Kingdom Category:Environmental organisations based in the United Kingdom Category:Non-profit organisations based in the United Kingdom
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