Lion Park accused of aiding canned lion hunting

According to Linda Park, local director of CACH, canned hunting is a fast-growing business in South Africa, where thousands of lions are being bred on farms to be shot by wealthy trophy-hunters Fourways Review reported.

The organisation believes parks like the Lion Park promote the exploitation of lions and wildlife. “Lions are groomed from cubs to be canned eventually. There aren’t enough reserves in the country to keep them; in the end, female lions are let loose to be killed recreationally,” said Park.

“The problem is the public do not know what is going on really. On the surface everything seems great, but unfortunately there is more than meets the eye here,” she added.

On Saturday, the organisation staged a protest outside Lion Park, calling for the protection of lions and the prevention of canned hunting.

Speaking to The Citizen, Park alleged “counter-protestors” were sent to Saturday’s rally by Lion Park. She claims these protesters were even given their own placards to disrupt the CACH protest.

“They must have seen our numbers, so they started bussing in their own protesters in game drive vehicle – protesters who had no permits – to counter ours,” she added.

However, representatives from the Lion Park denied all allegations regarding being involved in the processes of canned hunting.

“We do not promote or support the canning of lions. We have never groomed a lion to be canned. Our aim as a park is to protect and serve these animals,” a volunteer from the park, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

He added the park created a platform to educate the community about wildlife and conservation. Park said similar protests would be organised in future.

– Caxton News Service