From a king to a commodity
ROAR DATA: Conservationists point out that South Africa is the only country that has lion farming — and is also the only country where all wild lion populations are increasing lions in the past 20 years, according to a survey led by big-cat research organisation Panthera. The population is estimated at 20 000 throughout Africa, with just six countries harbouring more than 1 000 individuals each.
The decline — from more than 800 000 a century ago — has been driven by habitat loss and human conflict, specifically with cattle herders and ranchers.
“Contrary to popular belief, trophy hunting is a small factor in the fate of the African lion,” says the report.
But African herders killing lions in revenge for losing cattle do not make headlines; a rich American dentist shooting a big black-maned male lured from a national park does.
That rich hunters from the West are willing to pay eye-watering fees to shoot lions is not in doubt. Prices for a male lion range from around $16 000 (R205 000) to $32 000.
While breeding lions just to shoot them is highly questionable on moral grounds, there is a case to be made for ethical hunting.
“I approve 100% of hunting,” said conservationist and former park warden Paul Dutton. “Every single protected area in South Africa was created by a hunter.”
Ethical hunters follow the principles of “fair chase” — the pursuit of a free-ranging animal living in a wild, sustainable population and which has the instincts and ability to escape from the hunter.
“I would prefer,” said Dutton of those pressed-for-time foreign hunters who want to bag their lions in a matter of days, “that these big, fat arses go and hunt [the lions] on foot in the bush. Then we’ll see who wins.”
South Africa’s lion farmers are confronting a crisis. Part of it is self-inflicted, with some rogue farmers and unethical breeders tarnishing the industry.
“Of course there are atrocities and these need to be stopped,” said ’t Sas-Rolfes.
For the others, what happens is largely out of their hands. Trade policy and decisions will be made in faraway corridors of power by people who may have little grasp of the realities on the ground. More transparency and some serious self-regulation could help swing public opinion in their favour.
And the wild lion might see out this century. Comment on this: write to tellus@sundaytimes.co.za or SMS us at 33971 www.sundaytimes.co.za