July 23, 2010

Safe at SanWild

Doomed lions rescued from canned hunts

Humane Society International

Jespha, rescued from his fate as a hunter's trophy. SanWild

by Marcie Berry

Every year, approximately 1,200 lions die in canned hunting facilities in South Africa. More than 5,500 are currently held captive on breeding farms, where they await this fate. These lions are so used to being around humans that they often approach hunters expecting food, only to have a bullet, arrow or knife end their life. Trophy hunters pay large sums of money to canned hunting operations because they guarantee a kill. With the animal trapped in a small, enclosed area with no cover and no chance of escape, the hunter is able to effortlessly obtain his prize. Happily for them at least, 16 lucky lions were saved from doom by the SanWild wildlife sanctuary, where they now live.

SanWild

The SanWild Wildlife Trust was founded in 2000 with the goal of raising funds to care for rescued, injured and orphaned wild animals in South Africa and to ensure their long-term safety and welfare. From the day the organization was founded, it has been active in fighting to end canned lion hunting in South Africa. The majority of the Trust's time and money goes toward looking after animals, including rescued lions, but it also finds ways to educate the public, both locally and internationally, about the horrors of lion breeding farms and canned hunting operations.

Over the years, SanWild has helped many kinds of animals, from rhinos and hippos to warthogs, zebras, giraffes and elephants. It was also the first non-profit animal welfare group to open its doors to three prides of lions rescued from the canned hunting industry. By making this commitment, SanWild agreed to ensure that the lions would receive long-term care, including food, water, veterinary attention, and most importantly, the chance to live as close to a natural life as possible, without the threat of a hunter's weapon.

Jespha's pride

In November of 2003, authorities confiscated a pride of lions from a lion breeding and canned hunting operation in Limpopo Province that did not hold the necessary permits. Jespha, a large, black-maned lion, was among them, along with two adult lionesses and three cubs. The cubs had already been separated from their mother for too long to be safely introduced back into their original pride. This is unfortunately common among lion breeders, who remove the babies early so that the mother can be mated to produce more offspring sooner.

Jespha's pride has settled in nicely at their new home at SanWild; meanwhile, their previous owner was eventually found guilty of illegal importation and breeding of lions. These few lions were lucky enough to escape cruel, unethical canned hunts, but they are just a drop in the bucket. This horrific industry is flourishing in South Africa, and thousands of lions are being held captive, destined for a senseless death at the hands of a trophy hunter. Jespha and his pride serve to represent those who still need saving and remind us that people like the staff of SanWild are truly heroic.