WORLD LIONS DAY
Leo lion at The Shambala Preserve
Saturday, August 10th has been
designated as the first WORLD LIONS DAY in an effort to spread
awareness about the plight of the African lions in the wild.
Due to profit driven human
actions, the Lion’s very existence in the wild is threatened. In the
last three decades lions have disappeared from over 75% of their
current range with a population decline of over 50%. This is not
conjecture but based on cold, hard statistical facts. In addition to
human encroachment and destruction of habitat, there is an ever
increasing international trade in African lion specimens and lion
trophies. Trophy hunting is especially destructive since only the
strongest males are targeted. When a dominant adult male is killed
in a pride, a new male will rise to take his place. In addition to
fighting deaths caused by the new leader’s rise to dominance, once
in place he will often kill the cubs sired by the prides previous
leader thus wiping out an entire generation within the pride. In
addition, this selective taking out of the strongest from the
genetic pool is contrary to the natural evolution of a species where
the strongest should survive. Those promoting this atrocious
activity claim that it provides much needed economic gain for poor
African communities. This argument is negated when the International
Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation reports that only 3
percent of revenue from trophy hunting makes it to those communities
affected by hunting. The rest goes to national governments and
foreign-based outfitters.
Is it right that this should occur so that
those with enough wealth can display a stuffed trophy in their house
for the sake of their vanity?
Over 60 percent of all lions killed for
sport in Africa are shipped to the U.S. as trophies.
THIS IS SHAMEFUL AND NEEDS TO BE STOPPED!
Based upon endangerment throughout a
significant portion of their range, lions meet the criteria in order
to be listed under The Endangered Species Act. Once listed as being
Endangered, the importation of African lions and their body parts
would be banned in the U.S.
Tippi Hedren and the Roar Foundation urge
you to support declaration of the African lion as an Endangered
Species. To do so contact Interior Secretary Sally Jewel with your
comment of support via IFAW at:
http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/get-involved/help-protect-african-lions-hunters.
This would go a long way in saving the one of the most majestic
animals that ever walked the earth…the African lion. |