Zambia's Moratorium On Big Cat Trophy Hunting

As the world’s lion population continues to rapidly decline, LionAid.org estimates that there are 645-795 wild lions remaining in western and central Africa.  In eastern and southern Africa, 14,450 wild lions remain - for a continental total of 15,244 wild lions! However, LionAid is making progress!  Recently, LionAid received the news about a big decision made by the government in Zambia regarding a moratorium on big cat trophy hunting. From 2000 to 2010, Zambia exported 651 lion trophies, virtually all adult males. LionAid estimates the total lion population to be about 850 animals of both sexes and all ages. LionAid has cautioned for many years that this very high level of offtake was unsustainable. From 2000-2010 Zambia exported 645 adult male leopard hunting trophies from an unknown number of animals in the source population. A recent scientific publication noted that trophy hunting of lions was significantly affecting populations in national parks as well. LionAid.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of lions.  Their mission is to create awareness about the huge decline of the lion population and work with government officials and other organizations to cease the legal hunting of these animals. Lions are a major trophy for hunters. Despite their well-documented decline, there is still a considerable trophy hunting effort. Since the last-published decline in lion numbers on the continent were made public in 2002-2004, over 4,400 lions have been exported as trophies. As such, trophies are largely male lions. The effect of this commercial activity has greatly impacted both overall lion numbers and the ability for remaining lions to reproduce. Trophy hunting must cease. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, tune in as host, June Stoyer talks to the founders of LionAid.org, Dr. Pieter Kat and Christine Macsween.