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Wild Youth Foundation
Bearskin Caps
The tall black bearskin caps worn by soldiers of the King's Guard are one of the most recognisable symbols of the British military. They are worn during ceremonial duties, including the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
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But behind this familiar image is a question of animal welfare: should the fur of wild bears continue to be used to make ceremonial military uniforms when alternatives could be developed?
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Wild Youth believes that the answer is no.
What are the bearskin caps?
The bearskin caps worn by the King's Guard are made using the fur of American black bears (Ursus americanus). The caps are traditionally worn by several regiments of the Household Division during ceremonial duties.
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The use of bearskin dates back centuries and is associated with military tradition and ceremonial dress. Today, however, the caps are primarily ceremonial rather than providing a necessary military function.
For Wild Youth, this raises an important question: is tradition alone a sufficient reason to continue using real animal fur?
Where does the bear fur come from?
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has stated that bears are not hunted specifically to order for the British military.
According to the Government, its suppliers obtain bear pelts made available by Canadian authorities following licensed hunting and culling programmes. The MOD has also stated that Canadian, federal, provincial, territorial and international laws regulate the trade in black-bear pelts.
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The MOD therefore maintains that it does not commission the killing of individual bears specifically to make bearskin caps.
However, animal-welfare campaigners argue that purchasing and using the fur creates continued demand for the products of bear hunting and that the British military should not use wild-animal fur for ceremonial clothing in the first place.
Why do bearskin caps matter to animal welfare?
American black bears are wild animals, not animals bred for their fur. They live across large areas of North America and play an important role in their ecosystems.
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Wild Youth believes that an animal should not have to die for a ceremonial item of clothing when a suitable non-animal alternative could be used instead.
The fact that the bears are not necessarily killed specifically for the MOD does not, in our view, resolve the ethical question. The issue is whether a modern military should continue purchasing and using real animal fur when its purpose is ceremonial rather than essential.
Take Action , Make a Change
1
Raise Awareness
Often, what keeps these barbaric policies in place isn't widespread support but sheer ignorance of their existence. Once people uncover the brutal truth behind how these hats are made, they are more likely to rally against them and demand an end to their production. Share what you've learned about Bearskin Hats in the most effective way possible! Whether you're chatting with friends and family or posting on social media, make it engaging.
2
Contact Your MP
We have made contacting your MP super easy - Copy and paste our template and send it to your local MP.
Sending this to your MP can make a real difference. MPs are here to serve their constituents, so the more people who send this template, the stronger the call for change becomes in your communities.
3
Sign the Petition
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