Comments on: Walking with lions in South Africa

By: Deb miller

Deb miller — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 16:12:47 +0000

In reply to Beth. Just reviewed your place an I am awed that you allow this to happen. You are putting people an lions in danger. A lion is a dangerous wild animal an could turn on these people at any time. What happens then kill the lion? Use some common sense an don't endanger either one.

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 13:26:29 +0000

Having read your post I can certainly relate to your ignorance to this industry. I volunteered in South Africa for two weeks earlier this year and took park in cub petting and a lion walk. I quickly learned how discredited these industries are and that no park who truly contributes to conservation will offer these interactions. No captive bred lion can be released into the wild therefore rendering them useless for conservation purposes. I was told the same lies by you but since returning I have researched thoroughly and found the truth. It was definitely hard to admit that I had been lied to and utterly naive in partaking in my trip but we need more people like you to realise the truth and join our campaign. The rate at which these cubs are bred simply does not correspond with the lies we are fed about their release and rehabilitation. These Cubs WILL end up in canned hunts whether the park supply them directly or through a ‘middle man’. Please do your research and spread the truth about this industry instead of encourage others to take part in the process of slowly killing these lions. Beth

By: Jacalyn

Jacalyn — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 13:04:36 +0000

Emma,
In regards to your experience with cub petting and lion walking, I wish you would have done research first about these two tourist industries prior to paying to participate in them. Lion walking and cub petting are NOT conservation, in fact, the lion walking activity you participated in contributes nothing to conservation; those lions are not being rehabiliated and I can assure you that the money paid by tourists to pet and/or walk with lions _ lion cubs does not amount to enough to pay for all of their care.

In fact, lion walking has been proven to have adverse effects on conservation; no lion has ever been released into the wild after growing up in captivity, and thus any facility that offers lion walking is NOT conservation or rehabiliation, it is simply exploitation for tourist money.

Many tourists and volunteers refuse to believe this, because they cannot come to terms with the fact that they paid to participate in a pro-cruelty industry, hence furthering the industry. I advise you to do some serious research on cub petting & lion walking and see just exactly what you paid into during your time spent with this “rehabiliated” lions.

Please, don’t spread the message about lion walking being “conservation.” Did you know that 1000 lions are killed every year in Africa in hunts? And these lions that are killed are the same ones which you walked with, and cuddled. They are raised for petting & walking for money, then are killed in hunts.

By: Nicole de Wet

Nicole de Wet — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:09:08 +0000

I am horrified that there are still so many of you who don’t do your research and naively believe what you’re told by places such as these, thereby unknowingly supporting canned hunting. The first clue that this place is NOT a sanctuary is the fact that it is breeding! There is already a surplus of lions in captivity, most of which thus end up as trophies. These cubs are clearly too young to be taken from their mothers (no doubt you were told that they were in danger of being killed by her or some such BS) Animal lovers here and all over the world are working to end these cruel practices, please do not encourage others to support them! [P.S. start your research at the facebook page called ‘Volunteers in Africa Beware’]

By: Tish Grant

Tish Grant — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 08:37:55 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/BloodLionsOfficial?fref=ts

Hi Emma, Like most you are led to believe this amazing experience is just.. please take a look at the above link.. Education on what is REALLY happening to the Cubs you walk with. It is a cruel industry we are trying to STOP to save our Lions. Many thanks.