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If you want to see
what a canned hunt is like, click
here for a video
clip. Warning, this is not pleasant viewing. |
South African Lions Rescued Six lions - two adult females, a large male and three six month old cubs - arrived at SanWild wildlife sanctuary on November 27 2003 after the South African Limpopo Department of Nature Conservation had confiscated them.
All the lions were held illegally without permits in a
captive breeding project. The conservation
department had turned down the permit application,
but despite their refusal the owner simply went ahead and constructed
breeding camps.
(c)
SanWild The lions that arrived need veterinary care and funds are urgently needed to feed the animals properly. All the adult lions are obese and have not been fed correctly. The three female cubs are already suffering from a mineral deficiency and swift action will have to be taken to ensure their long-term welfare. A rehabilitation program will start immediately to prepare the lions for possible release back into the wild as soon as the legal machine has run its course. The hope is that the conservation and criminal investigations ensure that these six lions in particular will never be returned to the “canned lion” hunting industry to either breed cubs or to end up as trophies.
In the Limpopo Province there are quite a few lions being held in captive breeding projects illegally. A new holding facility for large predators has been constructed and this will allow officials to more effectively remove illegally held animals and charge the offenders. A spokesperson said that the irresponsible disregard for conservation laws will not be tolerated any longer and that his department (Finance & Economic Development [Branch Environmental Affairs]) is ready to step up their law enforcement efforts.
Since the exposure of unethical lion hunting practises in the 'Cooke Report' in 1997, South Africa has been criticised severely for “Canned Hunting” and various animals rights and welfare groups have slammed the South African government’s lack of action to stop the practise of breeding lions in captivity to supply a growing demand from trophy hunters.
Louise Joubert of the SanWild Wildlife Trust said that despite pressure by international animal welfare groups that have cashed in on the Canned Lion hunting industry the problem remains to be solved by the South African authorities. She went on to say that it is time that the blatant disregard for conservation laws in South Africa is dealt with decisively and immediately.
South Africa is fast gaining a reputation of being the most unethical hunting destination in the world and the conservation departments are faced with numerous problems. In the newsletter of the African Chapter of SCI (Safari Club International) an article by Dieter Schramm from the CIC (Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation) the problem facing the South African conservation department is clearly spelled out.
“The game industry in South African and Namibia however has developed some disturbing trends, albeit not without influence from outside. Economically attractive species have been transplanted into areas and habitats where they are non indigenous, conservation factors don’t play a role”.
It is not just the practice of canned lion hunting that is of concern but also the reckless disregard for conservation as a whole. Genetic manipulation of various species such as impala, blesbuck, eland, blue wildebeest, springbok, lion and others to supply the trophy hunting industry could result in severe repercussions on the conservation front and have already damaged South Africa’s conservation reputation.
What You Can Do
SanWild have been asked to accept another 37 lions and urgently need £26,000 to set up a specialised predator holding facility that can accommodate at least 20 predators at any one time. In one South African province alone there are at least 187 lions held illegally that will be confiscated in due course and if nowhere can be found for them, they will be destroyed. Dig deep into your pockets - these lions need your help NOW. No material on this website may be copied or published elsewhere without permission. (c) Ooze Online 2001 - 2005 |
