Last night I watched a documentary called Blood Lions on MSNBC. Depressing? Yes, and horrifying.
It was about “canned hunting”, and the raising of lions for “the bullet”. Of course, consumers who want to volunteer in lion conservation programs, or who want to aid in conservation efforts, are told that these “farms” are all about introducing lions back into the wild. In South Africa, that is most definitely not true.
Lion cubs, who normally stay with their mother for 18 months at least, are removed from their mother after 3 days to a week. Why? So mom can go into heat again and produce more lions who will grow up so people can shoot them.
Lions are kept fenced in, but people come and pay to pet them, walk them, play with them. When they grow older, trophy hunters come to kill them.
These are “canned” hunts. The lions are raised by humans, so they have no fear. They are “tracked” in fenced areas, and even baited. Seeing these animals shot and killed on film was devastating.
Why do hunters want “canned hunts”? Because it guarantees them a trophy, a trophy that is perfect, not marred by living life in the wild.
We should all watch this documentary. Lions are endangered, and finally people are reacting. Botswana has made it illegal in the aftermath of Cecil’s death. If you don’t know who Cecil the Lion is, pick up a newspaper, or surf the news. Do you want to help outlaw the poaching of lions? Sign here! Zimbabwe outlawed hunting…for nine days. Check this out: http://www.luxuryhunts.com/zimbabwe_lion_hunt.html. So where do these lions come from on these hunts? I cannot find the answer. Does anyone know??
Fortunately, many corporations are coming on board (finally!) in regards to the transport of “trophy parts”. Air France, KLM, British Airways, United, American, Delta…have responded by disallowing transport of endangered animal parts like lions, shark fins, tiger, rhino, elephant, etc. Please, before you travel, find it if the airline allows transport of these items. If they do, don’t fly them. Before you ship anything, find out if the shipping company still ships endangered animal parts.
I probably won’t be here in 50 years, but my grandchildren will be. I want them to see wild animals in their habitats, I hope they can snorkel or dive and see sharks. And a coral reef. However, at this rate, they won’t be able to. Can you imagine an earth where these animals are extinct? The ocean dead? It is coming, unless we stop it.
My family walked with lions in Zimbabwe. Afterward, I found out it is a “for profit” operation, Lion Encounter. I still am unsure if they are truly trying to help or if they are exploiting animals. It does not sound good, though, I hope those beautiful creatures are still alive. We will never do it again, nor will we do a penned dolphin swim or go to a sea world. Once you know the harm that it is doing, the only thing to do is stop contributing to the harm.
This just makes me want to cry. We walked with lions at Lion Encounter, too, and I would feel horrible to know that we were contributing to those cubs’ harm if that’s really the case. Will have to do some more research. Thanks for raising awareness.
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I listened to this in the car on XM radio and I had to change it, it was awful.
Yes. I wanted to change the channel, but forced myself to watch.
I love that you are so passionate and commited to humane treatment of all living things! Thank you for using your voice to raise awareness and create a better world. Signed the petition and going to spread the word! Thanks Tam!
Thank you. And enjoy your book tour!
I am not a proponent of sport hunting. Any kind. Under any circumstance. It’s just a bad thing in my opinion. All God’s creatures, you know.
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I do know. And agree.
I do not understand people who hunt for sport so that they can brag to others about their prowess. It just seems so ego-driven and destructive. Who praises people for such behavior? I think if more people expressed their disapproval, maybe the canned hunting would diminish if not disappear. Such a waste of money, time, energy — and most importantly — a waste of the lions’ lives.
I don’t know. I just do not get it. I’d rather have these photos of them in the wild than a stuffed head on my wall.
I agree, Karen. I find it absolutely disgusting.
Thanks for spreading the word — you are making the world a better place. And thanks for sitting through and reporting on that film — you’re clearly made of tougher stuff that I am. The photos that accompany your post are just beautiful. Anyone who could shoot a lion is just evil.
Thank you, Roz. I need to work harder…we are losing our animals and our ecosystems so quickly, now.
Our daughter just returned from a veterinary internship in S Africa. I’m going to ask about THIS specifically. Thanks for the heads-up!
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Let us know what you find out!
These animals are so beautiful. It’s heartbreaking to learn of this but so glad you shared this information.
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They are truly a wonder of the world…
So sad and horrible. I’ve been to Kruger National Park where I saw these magnificent creatures!
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I saw a pride of 17 with 2 males (though 1 male was clearly very ill). They were amazing. They had fed, so we saw them at dawn, all lolling on the grass, snoozing happily with fat tummies. We were in awe.
This is shocking to me. First off, I’ve never heard of “canned hunting” and second, it sounds like it’s for the lazy hunter who as you said Tam, wants and wins a trophy! I call this cheating! We have a friend who hunts with bow and arrow and hunts during open seasons for whatever animal is listed. He, as a true hunter skins, cuts the meat and freezes it and feeds off of all his catches as a true hunter does. I’ve not had the privilege to see these spectacular animals in their own domain, but I do hope this nonsense of “canned hunting” stops so that at some point I and many others will! Thanks for educating us on this Tam and also love the pictures that you’ve attached to this article. Breathtaking!
Juetta West
Animals in the wild are spectacular, aren’t they? I hope you get to Africa soon…the West African Lion in Nigeria is almost extinct…down to 34 animals. In the 1800s there were 1.2 million lions estimated in Africa. Now there are 20,000. Only 20,000. How can we leave a world to our children without lions and rhinos and elephants and so many others? I won’t even start on the declining numbers in the ocean. Canned hunting is absolutely cheating, the poor things aren’t even afraid of humans! And you are so right…it is a privilege, and a wonder, to see these animals in Africa. I truly saw life, and our place in it, differently after I went to Africa and after I began diving all over the world. We are a part of the world…but we cannot live without the other species and ecosystems.