I agree that there is not much of a conservation value to hunting captive bred lions. It is a business. It's all about supply and demand. It's too expensive to hunt true wild lions for most hunters out there. The outfitter gets to make money and the hunter is thrilled to have the opportunity. This is Capitalism at its finest. It's a win, win. Everyone is happy! So..what's wrong with that?
Now....we can talk about all the differences of hunting a wild lion while hiding in a blind and watching over a bait vs. stalking on foot etc. However, let's talk about the conservation impact on hunting in the wild. Tanzania has the largest population of wild lion in the world and is also the most expensive with a successful trip costing about 80k. So where does all that money go to? Corruption and lack of effort have resulted in the decimation of the elephant population in Tanzania and Moz. Conservation is being funded but not utilized. The continued human encroachment on lion populations continues to shrink their habitats and put them at risk. How is that quagmire sustainable?
Finally, let's talk frankly about us Americans. If it was not for us Americans, All of Africa would be poached out, there would be no hunting at all and you could take some pictures of the last remaining animals in a few National parks. Who do you think pays for all the conservation and wildlife programs through hunting in Africa? Places that you like to hunt? American dollars pay for more than 90% of all African hunting, keep outfitters in business, keep the land protected and the animals producing for sustainable harvest. Think you could do that with a few Saudi Princes, a couple of Russians? How long would it take the Chinese to destroy all the wild land in search of minerals and ore? So..next time you are out hunting wild Africa, you might want to thank us Americans for providing you the opportunity to exercise your passion with our dollars, instead of biting the hand that feeds you.
!) in the conversation above ... would be perfectly fine.
