FOUR PAWS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CANNED HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 17, 2010 -- South Africa, which hosts the football world cup this year, is home to a booming lion hunting industry. The lions are bred exclusively to be hunted in enclosed spaces. In 2008, more than 1000 lions were killed by hunting enthusiasts in this manner. Lions from European zoos serve to replenish the South African lion industry, as TV reports in RTL’s “Punkt 12” have shown. For the lions, the suffering begins shortly after birth, as they are frequently torn from their mothers to be used as petting animals for unsuspecting tourists.

FOUR PAWS is campaigning internationally against the barbaric hunting of lions bred solely as targets.

Lions are presented to the hunters on a silver platter in enclosed areas from which they cannot escape. These lions have often been reared by hand and are used to humans, making them an easy target. This cruel hunting of bred animals in enclosed spaces is known as canned hunting. “Rich hunt tourists from Europe and America pay high prices for the guaranteed kill – sums of 50,000 Euros are not unusual for an impressive male specimen”, says Thomas Pietsch, wild animal expert from FOUR PAWS. “Anyone can shoot, you don’t even need a license or hunting experience.”

This repulsive killing industry is growing at an alarming rate. Between 2006 and 2008, the number of hunted lions tripled to over one thousand. The export of lion trophies has increased to more than 850 annually. 4000 animals in approximately 160 breeding stations face an uncertain future. „The lion cubs are initially abused as a tourist attraction, petted, stroked and taken for walks. Once they are no longer cute and cuddly, they are destined to be made a target after the age of about four”, says Pietsch.

There is currently no law in South Africa which protects lions from trophy hunters. FOUR PAWS has started an online campaign demanding the South African government implement a legal ban on the hunting of lions bred for this purpose. Supporters can add their signature at www.vier-pfoten.de/cannedhunting.

FOUR PAWS provides a safe home for lions rescued from breeding stations at LIONSROCK, a South African animal protection project. The rescue station offers animals rescued from inappropriate keeping conditions with a new home in large natural enclosures, which provide the animals with surroundings in which they can live close to normal lives in complete safety.

More information is available from FOUR PAWS: www.four-paws.org.uk


Email: press@four-paws.org.uk

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