Owners
What it's all about
Hi everyone,
Let me introduce myself, my name is Bonnie and i am very passionate about wildlife. I am however deeply concerned for South Africa's wildlife due to the canned hunting industry. Canned hunting involves animals such as lions being shot or speared to death by a paying "trophy hunter" in its enclosure,yes thats right the animal is behind bars and is often drugged or tranquilised even chained, to ensure the so-called "trophy hunter" gets the kill he has paid for.I am truely sorry for the indepth information i am about to share with you as it is disturbing but very relevent to raise awareness for the sake of South Africa's wildlife. Lions are being farmed to keep up with demand, a lioness has her cubs taken away from her by the lion breeders shortly after she has given birth, this is to encourage her to come back into estrus where she is inseminated over and over, she is used as a breeding machine and forced to produce more cubs than she would naturally out in the wild in the end her body has been used so much that it just gives up. The cubs are usually kept behind a mesh fence and lionesses have been known to try so hard to get to their cubs that they chew at the mesh fence and end up with lasserated gums ! Female cubs have their skulls crushed at birth because trophy hunters favour male lions to have as a rug on their floor or to mount on their wall. There are new regulations that the South African government have brought into force to try and "clean up" the trophy hunting industries image but the lion breeders are taking the government to court as they are worried that the new regulations will put them out of business and the government have now decided to exclude lions from the new regulation completely leaving lions open to further exploitation. This is where you can help to make a difference! I have joined The Campaign Against Canned Hunting in South Africa (www.cannedlion.co.za) please take a look at this website to find out how you can help to stop this horrific slaughter of animals that should be respected and protected or email me personally at bonnieyoung@hotmail.co.uk.
What's needed to make it a reality
When taking action against animal exploitation and cruelty its very important to try and get as many like -minded people on board as possible as togeather their is strength in numbers which can go a long way when speaking out for animals that have no voice. With this certain issue now is the perfect time to put pressure on the South African government as the 2010 World Cup is just around the cornor and the South African government will want to paint South Africa with the best possible picture in the run-up to the event.
Comments
You seem to feel very passionately about this - and rightly so - it's atrocious that this trophy hunting of lions isn't being included in the new legislation.
Are you still at college/university? If so you could start a campaign around your campus about this...printing out posters/fliers and maybe contacting any relevant groups/societies who might help support your campaign.
Perhaps you could find a few experts who know about what's happening in South Africa and film them and other young people talking about how they feel about the issue...and then even organise a screening of your short film along with another film/documentary about lions in the wild?!
Let your imagination go...if you feel strongly about an issue there's a whole load of stuff you can do to spread the word!!
If you feel you'd like to run a campaign that needs funding (eg to make posters) then why not check out the Junction49 winfunding page - the next deadline is 30th June so you're in plenty of time...check out the criteria and add your thoughts to your idea as another comment
What do you think? If you're not in education any more perhaps you could run a campaign in your local area...or with your local zoo...or secondary schools...
Let us know your thoughts and if you want any advice just ask
Zoë Report Abuse
Its me again!
My comment has now been posted, i did have some difficulty before as my comment did not go through i donot know why but it seem's to be fine now.Thank you for the ideas they are great!
I really like the idea about making a film/documentary about the plight of wild lions in Africa and finding the right people who know the full extent of the damage that this industry is having on wildlife. I do really want to set up my own website as i feel this would really get the point out there, i I have been in contact with animal welfare organisations who are very supportive and are very interested in the campaign and want to help by writing letters to the relevent people and sign possible petitions. I am looking to really go for it and push for change and this means getting as many people onside as possible, i am always looking at it from different angles and trying to find the most effective ways of talking to people. Look forward to hear from you
Bon Report Abuse
Wow love what you have done with the place!At present my idea is ready to go i have made all of the arrangements for the leaflets banner stickers ect to be made which can go ahead as soon as i have the funding i can also hold the stall at my local market every other Thursday which is excellent as i can raise as much awareness about this issue on a very regular basis. I will also be raising awareness about the born free foundation and they have already sent me collection boxes,information ect. I am very eager to get this going asap as i really want to make people aware of the brutal canned hunting industry that is still happening every day in South Africa!
Bon Report Abuse
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