Blog Archives

Lion cub to see again

1/26/2015

GEORGE SHORTLY AFTER HIS RESCUE

As you all know George was a very sick little lion when he was rescued. Because of poor diet and living conditions, George had developed cataracts in both eyes, rendering him half blind. 2015 Will be a different year for this little cub.
Reading Kevin's news below, you will see reference to Naiobi. She is one of the lionesses. at Kevin's sanctuary. She also suffers from cataracts. We had hoped that she too could have them removed at the same time that little George has his own eye operation.

Please read the report from Kevin Richardson below.

Just a quick update on the check up that George and Naiobi had yesterday. All went very well and we had a successful days filming, catching up on George and Yame and several other key elements to the film. As we all know George has juvenile cataracts most likely caused by the poor diet he was on.
The good news is that they are still pretty translucent and after receiving some eye drops that dilate the pupil you could clearly see the retinas reflective layer bouncing light back.
In the good doctors opinion leaving them is not an option as they will only get worse. So it's off to theatre for George.
We are arranging dates as when best it suits the doctor and obviously the filming of the procedure as well.
George was an excellent patient and was extremely calm once he figured out we weren't trying to hurt him. With Naiobi it's slightly more tricky as the doctor will need to put her under to check the health of the eyes between the lens and the retina.
This is done by ultrasound.
Most likely we will do this when George gets knocked under to head off for his surgery at Ondestepoort. However the doctors initial feeling was that Naiobi looks healthy and happy and that surgery on her could be risky, so most probably she is best left alone.
Anyway we will make a more informed decision once we can ultrasound the eyes. All in all a good day with promising news.
Kevin

GEORGE - A LION CUB THAT HAS COME A VERY LONG WAY AND SOON HE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE PROPERLY AGAIN

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Input to USFW re status of Lions

1/25/2015

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INPUT to USFW on status of African Lions

By

Chris Mercer

Campaign Against Canned Hunting Inc

Comment Tracking Number: 1jz-8gtl-q4ze

Inconvenient Truths dismissed as ‘anecdotal.’

In its Proposed Rule document that was published in Federal Register Vol. 79 No. 209 on 29 October 2014 (RIN 1018–BA29), further to 50 CFR Part 17, under Docket No. FWS–R9–ES–2012–0025; 450 003 0115, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ('the Service') advises that:

"Lion products, such as the trade in lion bone, seem to be primarily by-products of trophy hunting; hunters are primarily interested in the trophy and skin and, therefore, the bones and other parts are sold separately (CITES 2014a, p. 10). However, since the reports of these types of activities are primarily
anecdotal in nature, based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that the sale of these by-products does not currently pose a threat to the species. Further, without a significant shift in the market, it is not likely to become a threat in the foreseeable future".

With respect, this passage shows the limitations of the parameters placed upon the Service and / or the exercise in response to the petition dated 1 March 2011 requesting that the African lion be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act 1973 ('the Act').

Actually the lion bone trade shows every sign of having the potential to cause regional extinction of BOTH wild lions and Tigers in Asia. To dismiss it so lightly is to misunderstand the threat.

Poaching in Botswana.
How can you possibly believe that there is only ‘anecdotal’ evidence as yet that the trade in captive bred lion bones is having a deleterious effect on wild lion populations?

Do you ignore the confessions of whistle blowers whose statements have been published in the Botswana Press about how they chase wild prides to exhaustion in the Kalahari, shoot the adults and capture the cubs to smuggle them in to SA lion farms, as ‘merely anecdotal’?

Lion bones killing wild tigers in Asia.
Have you even considered how Lion farming in SA and the lion bone trade poses a huge risk to the continued existence of wild tigers (Panthera tigris) who have been listed as Endangered under the Act since the 1970s. Everything is connected.

On 13 November 2013 the U.S. Secretary of State issued a $1,000,000 reward for information leading to the dismantling of the wildlife trafficking Xaysavang Network.
The U.S. State Department believes the leader of the Xaysavang Network is a Lao national by the name of Vixay Keosavang ( http://www.state.gov/j/inl/tocrewards/c60273.htm ). In the summer of 2011 the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs provided the names of all of the South African exporters and Laotian importers of hundreds of lion 'carcasses' that had been exported from South Africa to Lao PDR during 2009 and 2010. Vixay Keosovang was the importer who the Minister named most often, as evidenced at:
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/parliamentary_updates/question1734.pdf

In late 2013 Vixay Keosavang admitted in a conversation that was caught on film that he imports approximately 10 tonnes of South African captive bred lion skeletons and bones every year. He confirmed that he then sells them on to three clients in Viet Nam's Ha Tinh province who boil them down and pass them off to unsuspecting consumers as tiger in the tiger bone 'cake' products that are now so prevalent throughout that region. At 18kg per skeleton maximum that equals an injection into the supply side of the illegal tiger trade in Asia of approximately 555 big cats per annum. Basic economics means that this fuels and stimulates demand for further tiger products for which the prevailing view is that consumers prefer wild tiger products. This is not anecdotal, it is evidence that has been passed to the U.S. Department of State, INTERPOL and the CITES Standing Committee, as evidenced at:
http://wcclas.org/images/forms/RHargreavesCites0714.pdf

It is evident that USFW places far too much reliance on third world conservation structures (read ‘rangeland states’ in hunting parlance.)

Have you any idea how incompetent, corrupt and dysfunctional many African conservation authorities are? Add to those inherent disabilities (euphemistically termed ‘lack of capacity) the fact that regulatory capture has taken place and the hunting industry now controls conservation policies in rangeland states like SA and Tanzania.

Talk to Dr Craig Packer at Minnesota University and ask him how quickly he was deported from Tanzania for writing in a research paper that lion hunting was adversely impacting wild lion prides in Tanzania.

Look at how tightly the hunting industry controls conservation structures in South Africa:
http://www.cannedlion.org/blog/invade-and-occupy

When our efforts to get the import of lion trophies in to Australia seemed to be favourably considered by the Australian government, the South African government intervened at diplomatic level to protect the canned lion hunting industry.

We know how difficult the hunting industry makes life for USFW. We know how the hunting fraternity lobbies and litigates ferociously to make sure that your policies and practices do not interfere with their lethal designs on helpless animals.

The point is this: USFW, like all conservation structures in the world, is subject to a continuous stream of misinformation by hunting propagandists, and special pleading by vested interests muddies the waters and confuses the issues. Actually, you ought to be raising the status of the African lion to endangered AND specifically banning the import of lion trophies in to USA. But SCI will never allow you to be real conservationists.

It is tragic really. If USFW cannot stand up to the hunting thugs, then who can? Certainly not the weak and vulnerable African conservation services. You call yourselves a conservation service. We do not see you providing any protection whatsoever for the African lion. Is it because you are under SCI's thumb?

In the circumstances, the Service is requested to finalise its proposed listing and rule and thereafter strongly encouraged not to take CITES tags and export documentation at face value when presented with applications for threatened species import permits for captive bred lions from South Africa.

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Cub petting and permit conditions

1/23/2015

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Back to Alicante

1/18/2015

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DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T MAKE IT
From CJ & Luis

We were up before the birds yesterday getting ready for our return trip to Alicante where we rescued Yame and George. Hugo, (our cameraman), was waiting for us on the street corner by his flat looking rather like he had been hit by a Mac truck! Evidently he had been very much under the weather and still was not feeling himself. It was to be a long day for all of us.

It is a nine hour drive going and returning to Alicante so we were pleased to see that as the sun came up, the day was going to be a good one weather wise. And so it was. The sun just kept climbing higher and higher into the sky. We passed fields and fields of olive trees and plenty of raptors circled high above looking for their morning meal.

We stopped about half way for coffee and to stretch our legs. I love the restaurant/bar stops along the main roads that are scattered everywhere throughout Spain. Always so much noise inside caused by the customers all lined up at the long bar or sitting at tables tucked in here and there wherever there is space. Everyone wants to be heard above everyone else - competing for the spot light and so the level of vocal banter can rise to amazing levels. So typically relaxed as if no one has a care in the world nor any other place to be.

It was beautiful and warm as we arrived to Alicante. I felt myself getting excited about seeing the sanctuary where we found the Cubs. Yet, I wasn't sure if I was ready to be reminded of where our journey together had begun and if this trip would only remind me of how much I miss them every day.

We pulled up to the gate of the sanctuary. I was so pleased to see that the owner of the sanctuary, Raul Merida, had attached on the large entry gate to the sanctuary, a lovely poster of our very little George hanging along side many other posters of abused and abandoned wild animals that Raul has rescued over the years. While we waited for the gate to open I could hear one of the five lions, (that had made this sanctuary his home), roaring away. Yep, we were arriving at lunch time.

Guardia Civil Seprona was there waiting for us and Raul joined us shortly after. While we were all greeting each other, I had a few hard moments as I could see the installation where the boys had been living and I felt my chest tighten. I drifted away from the conversation at hand and made my way to the installation. I stood in the exact same spot that I had stood when I first saw little CACH and Spain. Those were the names given to them just a few days after their rescue by Bev. This time, instead of two frightfully undernourished, terribly dirty, hollow eyed lion cubs looking up at me, there stood a quite curious coyote, also looking up at me, that I'm sure was hoping that I was going to serve lunch.

I took a little time to wander around the facility. The room where the Cubs were put to bed each night looked so small and it seemed impossible that they had actually been there. In fact, it just seemed impossible that this rescue had even happened at all. Was it a dream? I remembered how they had been in such a hurry to get out of that room. Maybe memories of too many other nights spent in dark, closed spaces - hungry and scared. That for sure wasn't a dream!

We eventually got on with the reason we had all come together again. We had our script prepared, Hugo had his camera rolling, and Seprona and Raul were ready to begin filming. Everything went well; a few retakes were needed here and there and we had several good laughs about pronunciations of certain words in English and accents. It felt good to laugh with these kind, caring, dedicated people who were fast becoming our friends. I needed to laugh and to be reminded that we had come together as a team to save two amazing little lion cubs whose lives would change forever and hopefully, change the minds and hearts of people everywhere as well.

We also wanted to have a look at Terra Mitica before heading home. However the park is only open right now on week-ends. Seprona said that they will be doing periodic checks on the park, especially when the park hours get back to normal.
So, we would be very surprised if this amusement park allows more exploitation of any kind of wild animals again.

Before heading back to Madrid, we all had lunch together. We had our questions for Seprona about the wicked woman who had almost caused the death of Yame and George. Where was she now and what had become of the case against her? She evidently had been renting a place in the city for quite some time. Shortly after depositing the Cubs with Seprona/Raul Merida, because she wanted rid of them, she was served papers from Customs for smuggling and served papers as well from The Department of Agriculture - The Community of Valencia for not having proof of proper permits. The evil woman, (who had been renting), had bolted town. What else would we expect? However these charges against this woman are still pending and they will continue their search for her. Let's hope they get lucky. Seprona has a very good track record for getting their man or woman in this case? One thing we know for sure, we are getting closer and closer to catching these kind people and making it more and more difficult for them to successfully operate.

It was a good day in the end for all of us. There was a sense that as long as we worked hard together we could make a big dent as a team and we need to build these teams world wide. No room for egos in this business.

I silently wept inside on the way home for all of those lost little lions who spend whatever time is given to them being insignificant money gatherers with no value to those who harm them and profit from them. I feel so very proud to be such a small part of this fight to help make up for that disregard for their rights to live free and ashamed as well that far too many of us have no regard for their rights what-so-ever.

Love you Yame and George
CJ

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Protect the African lion

1/15/2015

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Report by Becca Bryan
It is estimated that there are approximately 35,000 wild lions in Africa. This is a large decline in the total population since last estimates in 1980 of about 76,000. The decline is largely due to habitat loss, loss of prey base, and increased human-lion contact.
This is where all of us can make a difference.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is considering a proposal to list the African lion under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to "Threatened", with what is called a “4(d)” that addresses the protections being considered for lions. The African lion is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The proposed 4(d) rule under for African lions covers all of the protections that might go into effect if the rule is finalized. The rule also addresses the importation of lion trophies from Africa to the United States. The United States is one of the main countries that imports sport hunted lion trophies

I wanted to know more about the proposed listing for the African Lion, and how the 4(d) rule works. So I queried the Service and received an extensive reply. Below is a summary of the questions sent and answers received. Please note: some answers have been shortened but the wording was not changed.

1. What are the next steps after this proposed rulemaking to protect the African lion under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?
The Service has one year to either withdraw the rule or finalize the rule. If the agency finalizes the rule, protections begin 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

2. Under the 4(d) rule as it pertains to the permitting mechanism for the importation of sport-hunted lion trophies:

•    How does the Service determine if a country has a scientifically sound management plan for African Lions?

In regards to wild lions, for the Service to determine if a country has a well-managed, scientifically based management plan for African lions, the agency would need information from the country on the following:

The lion management plan - what mechanisms are in place to manage lions; what agency oversees the implementation of lion management and what is that agency's capacity to carry out that work?

Population status - Are there current population numbers?; when was the last survey and what methodology was used to determine population numbers?; is the lion population declining, staying stable, increasing and how was this determined?

Habitat and range - What is the current distribution of lions in the country?; is available habitat shrinking due to human encroachment?

Hunting policies and regulations - Is there a hunting quota for lions?; If so, how is the quota divided within the country?; how much money is generated through lion hunting and how are those funds utilized (e.g., are funds going back to lion conservation)?

•    Will the proposed rule reduce the number of sport-hunted trophy permits for U.S. sport hunters?

The Service will be sending a letter to each country where hunting is allowed with a series of questions to begin gathering the information needed to make our determination.

3. Service Director Ashe mentioned in an article that the burden is on countries to demonstrate management plans are in place and hunting quotas are set. Does the Service believe that (a) sport-hunting private reserves or farms have set quotas for the number of lions hunters can kill and bring back to the U.S.? and (b) if there really are set quotas, how many are there for each private farm?

The Service has just started its efforts to investigate/evaluate hunting policies and quotas in these countries. It is not known at this time if quotas have been established for hunting reserves or farms or how these quotas are distributed. Whether the lion is wild or captive-held/captive-bred, the Service would need to determine if the importation of a trophy would enhance the survival of the species in the wild.

Take action to protect the African lion. The Service’s proposal is still open for the public to comment.

US. Fish and Wildlife Service – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the African Lion Subspecies as Threatened With a Rule Under Section 4(d) of the ESA

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FWS-R9-ES-2012-0025-3488

All comments and information regarding this proposal must be submitted to the Service on or before January 27, 2015. You can do this online at the above link, or mail to the Service address on the link above.

2 Comments

Lion cubs - latest news

1/15/2015

10 Comments

Jade has very kindly given us her report and some pictures of Yame and George. Wow, they look amazing and have grown so much. What really beautiful young lions they have become. From the day they arrived at their new home, tired after a long trip, stressed and exhausted, these young animals have blossomed into gorgeous in just a few months. Well done Kevin, Jade and all those caring for these precious young lion cubs.

Jade writes:

I hope this finds you well. Mandy has asked me to give you an update on what the two boys have been up to the past few weeks .

As I'm sure you’ve seen, they have both grown a great deal in the past 2 months. They have just recently graduated onto full pieces of meat, on the bone (and absolutely love it). Yame is sporting a rather interesting mo-hawk already, and George is not far behind. They have started sleeping outdoors in their enclosure, and seem to be really happy there… Yame stalks all the antelope that come by the fence, and George stalks him. Its amazing how that instinct is there already.

They are both extremely loveable and affectionate, and have really grown into their personalities. Yame is soft, and gentle, and a little bit of a scardy-cat, whereas George is a daredevil and loves to explore and even though he is slightly limited with his eyes it doesn’t seem to hold him back one bit! They both love their walks out in the park, which we try to do 2-3 times a week (Im pretty sure they have explored the entire farm by now).

They are both doing well on their meds which they get on a daily basis, and the vet is coming out to assess Georges eyes next week. We had their blood tests done in Dec and the results we received were very good according to our vet. If all goes well we will be doing X-rays on their legs to assess progress of the metabolic bone disease which Im almost certain has also improved. George seems to be in a lot less pain these days, which is fantastic. They are slowly getting there one step at a time.

Nature Conservation was here to inspect the area for their new, bigger enclosure which has passed with flying colours. In phase 1 we have started building their new night pen & outdoor area. In phase 2 we will be building the larger enclosure of 100m x 100m. As Im sure you know this is a huge cost as prices for materials have gone up drastically in the past year. We will have to see how we go forward with this in terms of finances.

I have attached a few photos for you which I took this afternoon. I hope that you enjoy. I look forward to reading the piece you're doing on them. Such lovely boys!
Regards,
Jade

Yame - a beautiful young lion

George - catching up to big brother

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Yame & George photographs

1/13/2015

20 Comments

We would like to share the latest photographs of Yame and George that have been sent to us from their sanctuary.

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The Good Bad and Ugly

1/12/2015

3 Comments

Comprehensive list of tourism destinations prepared by Carmen Berdan and her team at Volunteers in Africa Beware. One could quibble about some of the detail but it is an extremely important guide to ethical tourism - the only one, we think. Well done Carmen.

Post by Volunteers in Africa Beware.

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A lovely story of a dog rescue

1/12/2015

1 Comment

In these difficult times of mostly bad news it does your heart good to hear something positive. Something that reaffirms for me the amazing ability that animals have to manifest change and healing. We have seen it many time with captive lions where they literally shine the light on a bad situation in order to bring change. Here is a story about one very small dog.

Last week this very small dog was a victim of a hit and run in Boksburg. She dragged herself, screaming, to the side of the road to avoid being run over and was heard by a lady who has a shop in that road. This lady, Cindy, rushed outside, picked up the dog and took her to the local vet. As it turns out, that vet is the one used by Alta Grobbelaar who does a lot of work for Ban Animal Trading and other animal welfare causes. She has also supported us in our lion marches. The vets did not want to send the dog to the SPCA as it would have been the end for her but were reluctant to do any surgery as no owner had come forward. Alta paid for them to operate and has recouped that payment in subsequent donations. The little dog was given the name Rusty.It turned out that the hip socket had been extremely badly damaged and was disintegrating. The only solution was amputation of the leg.

Cindy had put up posters looking for the owner and a volunteer at a local home that cares for HIV and cancer patients recognised Rusty. Apparently she had escaped from the plot next door to the home 3 months ago and taken up living in the bed of a young patient called Riaan. One of the volunteers had her spayed. Riaan phoned Alta who went to see him. Rusty had been called Scrappy by the home because she was a miserable little scrap when she arrived there.

Riaan cannot afford to pay for Rusty/Scrappy and agreed that it was best that she go into foster and be found a new home as the home where he is has its gates open all the time. He and Alta cried many tears together but he wants what is best for her.

So where does Faith come in? Before Riaan had been found, I had told Alta I would foster the little dog once she was able to leave the vet (probably another week) until the owner (or a new owner) was found. On Friday night I was given the name Faith very strongly several times so Scrappy/Rusty has become Faith. Riaan was found on Saturday.

Riaan has no family here (his mother lives in Thabazimbe) and cannot get the help he needs to get walking again. Alta has taken him under her wing and will source help for him. She is going to visit him with one of her dogs and a cake tomorrow as it is his birthday. Faith needs to learn to walk on 3 legs. Riaan needs to learn to walk again too. Riaan will need plenty of faith to motivate him.

Turns out that the plot Faith escaped from is a puppy mill that nobody knew about and will now be under investigation. My take on all of this – Faith escaped from the plot to draw attention to it. She spent 3 months with Riaan to give him healing. She ran away from there and got hit by a car so that all the “actors’ in this play would come together. Riaan will now get the help he needs. Her friends on the plot will get the help they need and she will have a new home where she is safe. One small dog had faith that she could manifest change – and she did.

And my foster will turn into a permanent home – provided my cats give permission!

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The Kilimanjaro Lion Climb

1/5/2015

7 Comments

Post by Chris Herbst.

Chris Herbst writes:
Firstly I would like to introduce you to my fellow climbers, I honestly believe that reaching the summit without them would have been so much tougher. Thank you guys for supporting me and our cause, words cannot express my gratitude. From total strangers to great friends that I will never forget or let down in any way, you are amazing in your own special way.

Firstly you will see Shumba posing with our golden certificate. He is an honorary member of our team and in many ways the reason why we reached the summit.

Then we have Terrance or Terry or as I like to refer to him as the "Irish Lion" strong as an ox, a seasoned mountaineer who's advice and encouragement were invaluable to the team. His open honest and friendly personality really lifted our spirits in camp after a long tough day.

Hannah
Struggled on the very first day, but through sheer determination and guts and by digging deep ( an attribute I strongly admire) she became as good as all of us, if not better as the journey to the summit progressed.

Wendy
This girl proved that even a beautiful, dainty and fragile flower can be as tough as nails, toughing it out with the rest of us, got stuck in and done what needed to be done.

Harriet
The charming and intelligent Aussie Med Student volunteering in Tanzania, who I believe will someday inspire many people to be the best that they can be.

Lee
Last but not least never complained about anything the entire journey, always willing to help, with anything from toothpaste , medication to batteries. Always to be the first one to raise her hand and say I can help.

So the climb, wow what a journey. Probably the most amazing experience I have ever had the privilege to be apart of, it will be something that I will remember and cherish for eternity.

Standing on the top of Africa was a truly emotional experience for all of us, for me personally, I was just overwhelmed by so many emotions, some really came through stronger than others. First among which was a great sense of personal achievement. Then I was overwhelmed by privilege, privileged because I can call this amazing, fantastic, beautiful and aw inspiring continent home. However, at the same time I had a deep sense of sadness, sadness because so many people see past the greatness of Africa and all they see is a giant shooting range, and the targets, the Icons of Africa, the animals that is the very embodiment of what Africa is and what defines us as African people.

Then there was a big explosion of anger burning deep inside of me, we know that it will be very difficult and highly unlikely, for the Rhino to bounce back and to once more become a self sustainable species again.
If things continue the way that they are at the moment, with this horrific, idiotic, cowardly, stupid ( I can go on all day) canned hunting industry, fueling the bone trade and strengthening and expanding the trade in animal parts, we are already seeing an increase in the poaching of our wild lions because of this. Well then, the mighty Lion the pride and the face of Africa will be gone within the next ten years.

If this happens you have to ask yourself the question what's next, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, the point is that these people will jump from species to species until everything is gone.
There is two questions I would like you to ask yourselves when you go to bed at night. Firstly, if one day your children, grand children, or even great grand kids comes to you and asks you where are all these amazing animals what happened to them, why can we only see them in books?. What are you going to say to them, would you be able stand up proudly and say I fought for them, or are you going to be honest and say, it was fun killing them so we killed them all, or are you going to just lie to them. Secondly I want you to ask yourselves, do we really want to be known as the generation that killed and destroyed everything, is that the legacy we want to leave behind. I know I don't what about YOU.