A coalition of conservation groups filed a petition Tuesday to list the African lion (Panthera leo) as a protected species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), citing the American appetite for sports hunting and lion products—such as lion-skin rugs—as major factors in the big cat's decline.
The petition was filed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Humane Society International (HSI), Born Free USA, Born Free Foundation and Defenders of Wildlife.
Although lions are difficult to count, populations are estimated to have dropped nearly 50 percent in the past three decades, mainly due to unsustainable hunting. Other threats include habitat loss, disease, the bushmeat trade, use of lion parts in traditional African medicine, and retaliatory killings for livestock killed by lions. Current estimates range from 23,000 to 40,000 lions left in Africa, down from an estimated 75,800 in 1980.
According to the groups' petition, at least 5,663 wild lions were traded internationally for recreational trophy hunting purposes between 1998 and 2008, with 64 percent of those trophies being imported into the U.S.
Adding lions to the list of species protected by the ESA would create a ban on the import of hunting trophies. This would "hopefully reduce the threat to lions by eliminating the incentive of bringing back a trophy," Flocken said. Listing the species would also prohibit the sale of commercially traded lion parts such as skins, claws and skulls, which can sell for thousands of dollars each.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/field-notes/2011/03/groups-petitioning-have-african-lions-placed-endangered-list
This is something I am strongly against, because I believe many hunters are overhunting not just lions, but many animals such as wolves and animals about to hit the endangered species list. After watching a documentary based on the life of a lion and how she interacted with humans, one woman in particular showed a love for lions that most people would never understand. Yes, lions are wild animals, and will kill if they have the urge or are hungry enough. However, they live here on this planet too and should be treated with respect, as should all animals. Lions are not trophies and should be kept wild in Africa where they can hopefully pull their numbers back up and move off the endangered species radar completely.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely horrible. Humans should not be allowed to hunt and kill animals to the point of extinction. I know that people need to eat, need to have shelter, and need to have clothes, but we must find another alternative, than using lions for any of these necessities. We cannot be so cruel and self-centered to the that we kill out an entire species of animal. The lions should be listed under the ESA as soon as possible. We need to understand, that no more animals can become extinct, there should be at least one of every species left on this earth until the end. We need to protect all endangered species to the best of our abilities.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brie, this is something I feel strongly about. Lions are one of my favorite animals and to see that they are in such danger makes me sad. I understand that there needs to be a balance of living things and that people depend on animals for some things, but I think it is cruel just to hunt something for a "trophy" to put on a wall, it's like wasting a life to say you killed some unsuspecting animal.
ReplyDeleteWell lions are pretty scary and I'm sure if we needed to take the shot we would, but hunting animals to the point of endangerment is not good...especially if it's just for a trophy. In conclusion, for as scary looking as lions are, I give them a pass to the protected list for now.
ReplyDeletePeople need to get over hunting. I hope the next person that tries to kill a lion gets mauled, so then they'll know how it feels. This is ridiculous. Talk about ruining biodiversity.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't good. Lions need to be put on the endangered species list so that their numbers can go back to normal. Africa would never be the same without lions. Its ridiculous that people hunt lions just for trophies.
ReplyDeleteIf people keep hunting like this, then generations from now wont ever be able to see a lion in person. People need to stop and think about this stuff, and stop over hunting. Obviously the people doing it are selfish and dont care about animals or other people. This needs to be stopped
ReplyDeleteThe laws for poaching and killing animals need to be enforced greatly if the Lion is in fact put on the list, because nothing will change if they are not just like so many other species have become extinct with the cause being human greed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with pretty much everyone. I think that whoever is caught buying a "lion" product should be punished as well. Once an animal is extinct, its gone for good. Not only would we lose a very valuable and beautiful animal, but their entire ecosystem would suffer many consequences.
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