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Is This A Measurement Of Greatness?
Gandhi once said, “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. “
These famous words clearly apply when it comes to the world’s lion population as it continues to rapidly decline. LionAid.org estimates that there are 645-795 wild lions remaining in western and central Africa. In eastern and southern Africa, 14,450 wild lions remain – for a continental total of 15,244 wild lions!
The annus horribilis for African wildlife?
A Big Decision In Zambia
However, LionAid.org is making progress! Recently, LionAid received the news about a big decision made by the government in Zambia regarding a moratorium on big cat trophy hunting. From 2000 to 2010, Zambia exported 651 lion trophies, virtually all adult males. LionAid estimates the total lion population to be about 850 animals of both sexes and all ages. LionAid has cautioned for many years that this very high level of off take was unsustainable. From 2000-2010 Zambia exported 645 adult male leopard hunting trophies from an unknown number of animals in the source population. A recent scientific publication noted that trophy hunting of lions was significantly affecting populations in national parks as well.
A Matter of Trust Or Time For Change?
“We have long trusted international conservation organizations with the proper care of our global wildlife heritage. What we must now accept despite our donations and taxes that this has not happened. We need a whole new formula!” said Dr. Pieter Kat, geneticist, lion conservationist and founder of LionAid.org.
Lion with a small cub, courtesy of LionAid.org.
LionAid.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of lions. Their mission is to create awareness about the huge decline of the lion population and work with government officials and other organizations to cease the legal hunting of these animals. Lions are a major trophy for hunters. Despite their well-documented decline, there is still a considerable trophy hunting effort. Since the last-published decline in lion numbers on the continent were made public in 2002-2004, over 4,400 lions have been exported as trophies. As such, trophies are largely male lions. The effect of this commercial activity has greatly impacted both overall lion numbers and the ability for remaining lions to reproduce. Trophy hunting must cease. Please generously support this organization here.
Listen To The Interview
In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to the founders of LionAid.org, Dr. Pieter Kat and Christine Macsween. Click here to listen to the interview.
It amazes me that people still hunt animals for sport. With all of the need in this world for cures for cancer, the homeless, etc., you would think these people would spend their time doing something positive.
I have been hunting my whole life to feed my family. Hunting for food is one thing but this is just downright wrong.
Once again, another reason why we need to ban guns!
I disagree with Charlene. I don’t think banning guns is the answer. I am a hunter and a survivalist. There needs to be stiffer penalties.
We are all connected. Just as LionAid’s tag line says, “what will we do when they are all gone?”
Just as the interview suggests, photo tourism is the way to go! People love to take pictures and if there is nothing left to take, that will really get people to wake up and take action!
The bottom line is we need to support organizations that protect wildlife that are legit. People need to STOP thinking that they belong in our homes as pets or that they belong in our homes as décor!
We are just a pathetic species that doesn’t deserve the choices we are born with.
Where is the WWF and the other organizations that rake in the $$$?
Men seek these animals as a cure for EDS? Get real or maybe get some blue pills already!
This is just plain sick, sick, sick!!!
I remember traveling to China and seeing the hides in the home of a colleague. Some cultures do view this kind of hunting as a spiritual type thing.
@Myron These people are doing this because of spiritual reasons? Give me a break! They are barbaric!
@Leo more like savages!
Great interview, June! I never heard of LionAid before and think what they are doing is great! It takes people who care to make it happen!
Hollywood needs to stop making lions and tigers out to be mere ferocious beasts and focus on their importance in nature.
Thanks for taking the time to bring about awareness on this issue, June! I love your show and have been a fan since you interviewed Laura Lassiter from Big Cat Rescue 3 years ago! Keep up the great work, Dr Kat!