Sandego.net – The towering black hats worn by soldiers outside Buckingham Palace have long been part of London’s most recognizable ceremonial image. Now, the real bear fur used in those caps is facing renewed political scrutiny, with a cross-party group of parliamentarians urging the UK government to move to a synthetic substitute.

Eighteen MPs and one member of the House of Lords wrote to Defence Minister Luke Pollard this week, asking the Ministry of Defence to stop ordering new caps made from bear pelts. The group argued that continuing the practice falls short of modern expectations on animal welfare and called for suppliers to develop a credible faux-fur option.…