2 Reasons to Kill a Lion

This one from Kenya, sad as it is, I can understand. People protecting their livelyhood
http://the-star.co.ke/news/article-116634/lioness-killed-near-amboseli

This one from South Africa, I cant. People making their livelyhood.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/16/south-africa-lion-bones-trade?CMP=twt_gu

WS

Although I don't like it I kind of agree with you about the first article Doogs.

With regards to the second article it has just enforced my despair and I am seething. As an individual I sit here and think what can I do? I sign petitions, I send money, I spread the word, support organisations that are trying to stop the killing of Tigers, Lions, Elephants and Rhinos but it just goes on and on and my despair gets worse. Apart from personally going and sh##t!ng these people what can we do? They say they are so focused on the Rhino poaching they don't have the time for the Lions, that just seems so unjust, the Lions are just being sentanced to death and I am sure this was good news to the breeders who just breed them for canned hunting, they know that no-one is going to be knocking on their door any day soon........ how lucky must they feel!!!
I sit here and think what the hell extra can I do and I am sure I am not alone in that thought, I would be a very sad person if I just read an article and thought "oh that's not nice, poor Lions but let me get on with my washing", articles like this haunt me and also make me so bloody Mad; this is in the respect of so called belief of mainly asian countries that Tiger bones etc are the cure all and no matter what education they have thrown upon them they still continue murdering Tigers to the point of extinction because they are so magically potent for curing all, well if thats the case why are they now hitting on Lions as a substitute? How insanely stupid are they, the whole embodiment of Tigers and Lions are different. Yes their bone formation will no doubt be the same but the cultural belief is that it is Tiger bones, parts that are the magic dust of the medicinal asian world, well Lions weirdly enough are not Tigers, in a magic world they would be imposters and not revered with the same high honour, so my understanding is that all ancient asian medicine is based on a known lie and that the users of such medicine are too pathetic to stand up for what they know is a blatant lie.
littlewid-x-

As I posted at the start. On the first issue, it's sad, but at least it's understandable. One of the most frightning statistics is that there are only 2,000 Lions in Kenya, and 2,000 Lions roaming free in South Africa, but there are between 4,000, and 5,000 in captive breeding in South Africa which is more than the two Countries added together. I think at the moment the Lion issue is going under the radar, with all the focus on Rhinos, and Elephants in Africa. What we have to remember is that at the end of the day, that no matter which species we are talking about, Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, or Tigers it is the same people who are responsible for the poaching of all these different animals for the same end users. I have always said I cant understand why the people that use these animals as medicine, cant understand that one day there will be none left, then what will they do. Now we know it shows with the switch from Tigers to Lions, they will just switch to another animal untill thats extinct, then they will switch again to another. It just goes to show, how useless it is as medicine

I know this has been on before, but this could be the answer to the Human/Lion Conflict in Africa


WS

With regard to the first part of this thread WS, I did make a post on Doog's thread "Young Wildlife Hero". I explained the problem as I saw it first hand on my last visit to the Mara in Dec. I don't know if you read it but it does show the difficult choices that have to be made by the local communities.

Safariman

Thanks Safariman. I new it had been posted before, but I could'nt remember where, old age . I picked the video up off FB, and I thought it was worth putting on again. To me it seems a low tech, low cost, solution that would provide some protection for both the local community, their livestock, and also the Lions. It seems the sort of thing that could be rolled out by NGO's, and Governments in a cost effective way. As I think I said on that post of Doogs, it's easy for people to sit in their armchairs, in other Countries, and tut, and criticise, but we dont have to live with Lions
WS

King of Extinction? Lions Could Be Gone in 10 to 20 Years.
In a shocking interview with filmmaker and conservationist Dereck Joubert, we learn about how and if lions can be rescued from their demise.
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/17/about-lions-extinction

WS

Around here in South Africa hunters and breeders have a saying “If it pays it stays”

So the numbers indicate that the breeder will be paid $10,000, and by selling the lion's bones to a Chinese dealer he will pocket another $5,000. The skull will fetch another $1,100. In total lions show a 30% return – simple economics.

I used to share WS despair at this with situations like this but have learned the anger and frustration is going to get us nowhere.

When it comes to understanding and following the solution to the problems with lions there are certainly no better team than the Joubert’s. They heave dedicated their lives to this cause and are not only dedicated but also very smart.

I especially like they way they are utilizing technology as a solution.

Chris

Doogs posted this in "Animals of the world" and I commented on it there but I will repeat that the Jouberts are definitely ones to help make a difference.
littlewid-x-

Your right Chris I do feel anger, and frustration, but it's a driving force to do what I can to help save wildlife. $16,100 may = Simple economics, and if it pays it stays, but only 4,000 Lions between Kenya, and SA, against 4,000 to 5,000 bread to be shot in SA = Extinction, and that will drasticaly cut vistors to both Country's, except of course the the Hunters who will still be able to get their hands, on their trophys of Lions the rest of us will no longer be able to see.
Great idea to use modern technology, it would also be fantastic if that could be extended in someway to all the endangered animals, there no doubt the Jouberts would be a great duo to lead this.
WS

WS I hope you never lose that drive.

We woke up this morning with a report in one of our local newspapers about a canned lion hunting video - rather disgusting.

A cowardly hunter hunts down a tame lioness from the back of a bakkie (pick up truck) with a bow and arrow.

Not a good way to start my day.

You can see it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tExAqeGXRZU

Chris

What a very brave fearless hunter, who will no dought be telling all his friends how he hunted a man eating Lioness alone in the SA bush. He is a coward, and a sick excuse for a human being, as are the ones who organise this type of thing. It's good to know the SA authorities are trying to trace him, and the organisers, and doing something about them.
Going back to the breeding of Lions for hunting, and if it pays it stays. If we are being pragmatic, and saying some things we have to accept. Should the SA Government put an extra levy or tax on these businesses, and or the hunters, that would go to fund environmental, and anti poaching causes. Then at least as much as we do'nt like it, and disagree with it. Some good would come out of it for the wild Lions, and the rest of the SA wildlife

WS

BIG CAT AMBASSADOR - Brett Horley .


WS

Thanks WS. A very interesting clip and really he sums it up so well. I just hope and pray the lions can survive. A world without bigs cats would be tragic.

Lai

This is why Trophy Hunting will not Save Our Lions 

http://blog.sunsafaris.com/2013/06/21/this-is-why-trophy-hunting-will-not-save-our-lions/

 
A long read, but well worth the effort

WS