Back in the 1960's there were over 200,000 lions in Africa. Today there are less than
16,000, a decline of more than 90%.
Of those 15,250 remaining lions, only around 2,000 are adult males - the target of lion
trophy hunters. Adult male lions are being legally shot as trophies at the rate of around 650 per year.
Of all the causes of decline in African lion populations, we believe this sport trophy hunting is the biggest single factor causing the declines.
Following our successful debate in the UK Parliament November 2010, we now have 29 MPs and 14 MEPs already supporting our campaign. This list of Parliamentary supporters is growing every month. Brought by Andrew Turner MP, together with LionAid and received by the Minister of Natural Environment and Fisheries and Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Richard Benyon, the LionAid campaign, with the full backing of Parliament, has taken the action to the European Commission's Wildlife Trade Regulation (EC WTR). Two of the supporting MEPs have so far tabled questions on furthering lion protection to the Commission.
If the EC WTR imposes a restriction on the importation of lion trophies, it would send a powerful message of concern to other nations with wildlife trade regulations - in terms of lion trophies the most significant of which is the United States. The US regulatory agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) could then voluntarily follow EU trade restrictions, or at least request information as to the basis of the restriction for US consideration.
Lion trophy hunting is an anathema that benefits few and impacts highly negatively on lion populations.
If you believe that sport hunting is endangering African Lion populations and that the European Union has a voice to prevent further trophy hunting declines, then please sign our pledge. It will go with us to the European Commission Wildlife Trade Regulation. Your opinion WILL count. Thank you sincerely from LionAid www.lionaid.org
