For centuries, lions have loomed large in our cultural imagination, not least because of their powerful symbolic meaning as icons of great strength, fierce courage and loyalty.
And today, they badly need our help. Their wild nature is beautifully captured in a new National Geographic film entitled The Last Lions.
The story follows a single lioness fighting to defend her cubs as they struggle to survive in the Okavango Delta wetlands of Botswana. This film, created by Beverly and Dereck Joubert, reminds us that even lions live on a knife’s edge, and the threats to them are as severe as they’ve ever been.
It’s not just the lions in the Okavango Delta that face such threats. There are people who poison lions for predator control purposes. And while that poisoning is appalling and unacceptable, it’s even more infuriating that trophy hunters, mainly Americans, travel to Africa to kill these majestic animals and then bring home their heads, hides and other body parts.
For decades, the African lion population has been in a steady and dangerous decline. It has been nearly cut in half over the past 30 years. Lion habitat and prey species have diminished, forcing lions to retreat from much of their historic range. Although lions continue to live in 27 countries, many are in groups too small and isolated from other populations to survive.
During this period, the United States has emerged as the clear leader in importing trophies from sport-hunted lions. The number of lion trophies imported to the United States doubled from 1999 to 2008 (the latest year that statistics are available) — with parts of at least 3,600 wild African lions imported to our country.
This additional pressure — especially destructive for a social species, with tight family networks — is the last thing that lions need, especially with all of the threats they face. Some estimates put total lion numbers throughout Africa at just 23,000 — more than the number of tigers in the wild, but clearly in the danger zone for survival of the species.
Listing the African lion as endangered would significantly benefit this iconic animal by prohibiting the importation of African lion trophies into the United States, unless it serves a demonstrable conservation purpose.
It’s not too late to save the magnificent African lion, but we must act now. And that’s exactly what we did by filing this petition.
And today, they badly need our help. Their wild nature is beautifully captured in a new National Geographic film entitled The Last Lions.
The story follows a single lioness fighting to defend her cubs as they struggle to survive in the Okavango Delta wetlands of Botswana. This film, created by Beverly and Dereck Joubert, reminds us that even lions live on a knife’s edge, and the threats to them are as severe as they’ve ever been.
It’s not just the lions in the Okavango Delta that face such threats. There are people who poison lions for predator control purposes. And while that poisoning is appalling and unacceptable, it’s even more infuriating that trophy hunters, mainly Americans, travel to Africa to kill these majestic animals and then bring home their heads, hides and other body parts.
For decades, the African lion population has been in a steady and dangerous decline. It has been nearly cut in half over the past 30 years. Lion habitat and prey species have diminished, forcing lions to retreat from much of their historic range. Although lions continue to live in 27 countries, many are in groups too small and isolated from other populations to survive.
During this period, the United States has emerged as the clear leader in importing trophies from sport-hunted lions. The number of lion trophies imported to the United States doubled from 1999 to 2008 (the latest year that statistics are available) — with parts of at least 3,600 wild African lions imported to our country.
This additional pressure — especially destructive for a social species, with tight family networks — is the last thing that lions need, especially with all of the threats they face. Some estimates put total lion numbers throughout Africa at just 23,000 — more than the number of tigers in the wild, but clearly in the danger zone for survival of the species.
Listing the African lion as endangered would significantly benefit this iconic animal by prohibiting the importation of African lion trophies into the United States, unless it serves a demonstrable conservation purpose.
It’s not too late to save the magnificent African lion, but we must act now. And that’s exactly what we did by filing this petition.
Original article published by Wayne P
The way animals are treated is a travesty. Lions are one of the most beautiful creatures and loving with their families. They are doing what they are meant to do in life. They survive by searching out food and making sure they and their families are fed. WHY???? do we as people make it right to deliberately kill these animals for trophies, or to kill them for any other purpose than for food (which I doubt any body does). We were given reign over the creatures of the earth and many of us do not care how we handle that responsibility. Every creature has a right to live. We should, in no way, treat them with disrespect or cruelty. Every species of animal has a purpose, and who are we to completely wipe out a creation of God?
I do not know about others feelings about these events. I can only speak for me from my heart and soul. I am sister to all things, to all of creation, and to all the universe. Creator created all things with a piece of him/her/it self. I am related to all things, including the smallest molicule.
We were given "care taker " status over Mother Earth and all her children, which includes all the animals, plants, trees, flowers, etc. We are failing in our job. We do not have the right to hunt our brothers and sisters to extinction..They to have a life purpose here...Shame on us...for not taking better care of what Creator has given us to respect,and shame on us for not living in harmony with all. It is time to realize, that which we do to the beasts, so shall we do unto ourselves!!! WAKE UP...it is our last call to honor that which Creator has put forth!!!
these animals of the wild are a creatoin of god, leave them to ponder on what is their home .they are magnificant and beautiful. don't make them extinct!
iT WOULD BE A TRAVESTY TO LOSE SUCH A VITAL SPECIES IN OUR LANDSCAPE AAND PLAANET FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
We must take a stand on saving these beautiful creatures before another magnificent species has been ground into extinction by the greed and stupidity of the human race. As humans, it is our responsibility to respect, protect and take care of the living creatures that have graced our earth. Let us not be guilty of another travesty of justice. Please help save these lions !
First off, why would someone kill something so beautiful?! And that goes for every species of animal out there. They need to be equal as humans; They have hearts, brains, skin, eyes, and hair just the same as we do. Also since they live in prides: Think about it as a family for them. What if for no reason at all, someone started killing your family one by one? Don't like it huh? Well killing without a motive isn't right and neither is it for sport, this goes for any creature and I want my kids and my great great great grandkids to see something of god's creation so beautiful and breathtaking. They're here for a purpose and I will stand for them!
Answer this you people who kill just for the fun of watching another living thing die,where is the 'sport' in killing a lion or any other creature with a high powered rifle with a scope from a hundred yards away?
Reminds me of dove 'hunting' A bunch of half in the bag guys standing in a field at daybreak,shooting doves off utility wires,while they are still at roost. It is all an afront to the Creator.