Friday, June 08, 2007
Shooting lions in South Africa
I’m on location in Vryburg, South Africa, in game hunting country. Our seven-hour, bum-numbing drive from Johannesburg has been rewarded with stunning video of one of South Africa’s oldest canned hunting operations. This form of hunting is so controversial in South Africa it's difficult finding hunters who'll talk about it, let alone allow a CNN film crew to come along on a hunt. On a canned hunt, animals you’d normally expect to find in the wild like, lions, leopards and rhinos are either placed in an enclosed space or bred specially to be hunted as trophies. Animal rights groups say it's unethical and immoral and are campaigning for an outright ban of all trophy hunting in South Africa. The government hasn't gone quite that far, but they have given hunting industry a deadline of February 2008 for ending canned hunting as we know it today. But the hunting industry is furious at the threatened loss of millions of dollars in foreign revenue. Lion breeders make around $25,000 and sometimes more for each lion a hunter shoots. The hunter goes home happy, the breeders make money and the local villages are sustained by selling fresh horses and livestock as lion feed.
Each pride has its own enclosure and lives as a family unit. Separated by wire fencing the pens stretch across a huge area. If the wind blows the wrong way you get a unique waft of raw meat and pungent lion coming straight at you. When a client books in for a hunt, a lion will be released into the grounds a few days in advance. Then it's up to the hunter with the help of his trackers to find and shoot his trophy. John Foster, a hunter from Boise, Idaho, said I could join him on his hunt and include him in my story. Ten minutes after jumping on a truck our tracker found lion prints. It was a small lion the tracker said but John passed on it, he was after a big trophy. Joe the cameraman looked relieved, he’s scared of dogs so I’m glad that we didn’t have to go crawling through the long grass hunting a big cat. After two days on safari we packed up and drove back to Johannesburg. Sandhurst Safaris sent me a text the next day, John had bagged two lions. Of course I’m kicking myself for not staying that extra day and getting that footage on tape, but Joe was happy. Filming lions feasting on a dead horse was enough for him. Watch my report -- From Femi Oke, CNN International Correspondent 284 Comments
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We humans have no respect for anything; it is sad to see these animals being killed for the pleasure of individuals. What a waste.
People who kill animals are just a step away from killing people, they are cowards who restrain themselves only because of the law.
Especially the people involved in canned hunting. Scum.
Absolutely disgusting. This still goes on, in 2007? I'm apalled, I really don't know what to make of it. How someone can kill gorgeous animals for sport, and as a trophy, is beyond me. It'd be like taking a flame thrower to a rose bush and claiming it was because you found it pretty.
It is OUTRAGEOUS that they breed precious lions only to trap them in a cage-like environment for twisted people who want to 'pretend' like they are actually hunting. I am absolutely against this, it is completely unethical and cruel and will be a part of any organization that fights this.
As a proud South African and a passionate naturalist I am ashamed of our reputation as the primary proponents of the 'canned hunting' practice. There is clearly no ecological benefit to slaughtering captive tame animals and the only reason it is practised at all is the pursuit of profit. My congratulations to Mr. Van Schalkwyk on his decisive action in addressing the issue and good ridance to those who promote it and practice it.
As a proud South African and a passionate naturalist I am ashamed of our reputation as the primary proponents of the 'canned hunting' practice. There is clearly no ecological benfit to slaughtering tamed, captive animals and the only reason it is practiced at all is the pursuit of personal profit. My congratulations to Mr. Van Schalkwyk for his decisive response to the issue. I have no sympathy for those who practice and/or promote it
Get over it! I guarentee that in two years they are going to reinstate canned hunting because people are going to go off again wildering and illegal hunting endangering the whole species all over again.Why can't most people accept that humans are predators. We are , we are the only predators with a conscience but predators nonetheless. Some people here think canned hunting is an anachronism I'd say it is something very modern that allows for these hunters to practice their hobby without hurting the environment and endangering a precious species.These lions didn't ask from you moral highgrounders to eat this horse or to kill lion baby cubs when they want to impregnate a female with their own semen.
This sort of thing is absolutely horrible. These animals are beautiful creatures who have done nothing wrong to deserve this kind of treatment. While reading the story, I couldn't help but to think that this happens all the time. I'm not vegetarian, but aren't we doing the same thing with cows, pigs and chickens here in America? How would John Foster feel if that gun was turned on him?
What is so hard about living within ones environment without killing everything in it? These lions live in very highly structured social orders and are indeed creatures of great beauty-so WHY do we find it necessary to kill them? Why can't we enjoy them as God intended-out in the wild being what they are, doing what they are supposed to do. I appreciate that much more than a dead one. This makes me terribly sad. I hope the government is successful in stopping it.
Humanity. Not exactly something to proud of, is it.
As I watched this story I was disgusted. It deeply saddens me to think that there actually are people that think it's ok to do these kinds of inhumane things. I wish I could tell these "hunters" that it does not make them men to go out and kill an animal that's in an enclosure and has no way of escaping. The real men are the ones who protect wildlife not destroy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
People would kill for fun like this are cowards...I may have some respect for Mr. Foster if he took on the lion with out the gun!! I would love to see who won that fight!!
Isn't funny how we keep hearing that many different breeds of lions are becoming more and more rare, and yet here we have an example of several hundred of them in captivity being bred just to be shot. This may be one form of humanity at it's lowest. Some people may say that lions are only stupid animals, but it's clear that they are not. Most probably take care of their tribes and families better than some human beings. This 'canned hunting' practice is disgusting. Men and women who participate in this should not be proud of themselves for 'bagging' a big 'trophy,' but should be ashamed of themselves for killing something that has no chance to fight back. They are not killing them to use the animal for survival needs such as food, which makes the entire operation pointless. If they want a lasting thrill, why don't they try to help their fellow humans who are starving, being killed, or dirt poor. Oh wait, that would mean they would have morals.
Appalling. Lions are magnificent creatures, to shoot them for sport is horrifying. To kill lions that are being bred just for "sport" is depraved. I know the African Villagers had other means of making their living before the "Great Hunters" came to Africa. We need to facilitate smart economic growth for the people. I know these hunting companies aren't giving that much back to the villagers they hire for these repugnant deeds. WE are losing more wildlife every day, we should focus on conservation, not "killing for Sport". How "Sporting" is it to kill an animal with no where to run and with a gun or rifle that is high powered to blow everything quite dead. SAVE THE LIONS!
Let's see...lion in a fenced environment where it cannot escape. Man in a truck with a high powered long-distance rifle. Where is the "sport" in this? Not much of a contest.
How sad that some men still feel a need to prove their masculinity by slaughtering animals in an unfair situation. Pathetic. ~R, USA
I'd like to hunt Mr. Foster and have my picture taken with the most predatory animal in the world, a wealthy, bored, white man.
To truly make this a fair "sport" as sports should be, Mr. Foster should be released in the same enclosure without a gun and left there for a few days to fend for himself and go hunt his lions. I'm sure he would quickly realize where he really falls on the food chain and that without a gun he's a worthless predator. With a gun he's just a dangerous man.
I think it's funny that people like to eat meat, but when it comes to hunting that meat, they are appalled. A lion is no more or less an animal than a cow. And cows in a slaughterhouse have no more chance to escape than the bred lion has.
To be clear, I am not a hunter because I simply would not enjoy it. But some other people do like to hunt, and as long as I like to eat meat, I have no moral ground to tell them to stop. Ok, hunters hunt less for the meat than for pleasure, but if you compare the numbers of cows slaughtered vs. the number of animals hunted for trophy, most animal hardship by far is still caused by us meat eaters. As far as lions are concerned, the wild lion population can only benefit if trophy hunters can hunt bred lions, leaving the wild population alone.
This man has no conscience and no humanity. This is a despicable thing to do to any animal. Its bad enough to kill animals for food or to subject them to inhuman treatment like laboratories or other uses, but to breed them and kill them is so inhumane it is difficult for me to comprehend such cruelty. I would like to hunt and kill him.
The breeders are crying foul to the decent legislation which forces a humane precedent in a bastard industry. This is categorically about blood money and the breeders have no alternate but to appeal on any basis they can, citing loss of employment as an example. How can hangmen be allowed to prosper amongst us? A breeder who raises a lion for slaughter is a murderer, the hunter is just an accessory to the crime. Our challenge is to teach mankind about sacrifice which leads to abundance.
WOW!
As I watched this video, I was struck by just how turned on I was by this manly man looking to hunt and kill in a prearranged situation. NOT! Garbage, these people who support and participate in this are garbage! If he wants to prove his manhood, let him spend a day in the wild - weaponless - with these animals he wants to kill. AND THIS IS NOT AN EXAMPLE OF HUMANS BEING PREDATORS! This is some jerk looking to have things handed to him on a platter.
Killing for pleasure??? Killing is bad enough, add pleasure to it and I don't know what to call it! I see no reason or logic on this. It is utterly appalling that anyone can get pleasure out of killing.
This is a horridly disgusting practice... and anyone participating in it is just plain sick. Hunting an animal for personal use/consumption (such as a deer or a moose) is one thing.... hunting a predator like a lion "just cuz" is just wrong. People who participate in these types of activities aren't hunters, they're butchers, and ought not be permitted to hunt period. If it's some kind of macho thing, well guess what -- try viagra, because compensating by shooting an innocent animal doesn't make you macho, it makes you cruel, sick and inhumane.
I think the idea of calling this a "sport" is laughable and disgusting. But that said, I would rather see a lion bred for this purpose, instead of wild lions being hunted down and slaughtered. It's not much of a consolation though.
Killing anything for fun is appalling.
They should let the hunters there,insted of the horse.This is a different kind of fun !!!!
This was one of the most disgusting, cruel and vile things I have ever witnessed. To kill these beautiful animals for nothing more than pent up sadistic pleasure is a crime against humanity. It's a good thing the documentary Planet Earth was made because that is all we will have to look at-just film-at what once was a beautiful planet. Man is succeeding in destroying earth and every living thing on it!
I am sick and tired of being told that since I eat meat there is no difference in hunting vs slaughterhouses. When it comes to big game such as this story it angers me that someone would set up a kill. I think people who go out on these trips to Africa should go in the name of just the beauty of the wild killing those lions just because they are bred for it doesnt make it right. We are at war all over this planet and have so much pain and destruction why kill?? I may be wrong, but this is just to much. I am not even a big fan of lions, whats next for this world to get their thrills? I know, how about that movie "Running Man" is that whats next?
I bet not one of you who defends the lion's cause so vehemently would bat an eye-lid when one of these things eats an African farmer or kills his cattle thereby destroying his liveyhood. Maybe it is time to start hunting down these creatures not just in a canned environment but in the wild too. As human population grows we will start living closer and closer to the lion's habitat. I'm sorry, but i'm one of those crazy people who prefers human life above that of a lion, tiger or any other species. Its either us or them.
I bet if the man-eating T-rex's still roamed the earth some of you animal rights crazies would want to protect it. Remember 99% of the species that have ever appeared on this planet are already extinct. Its us or them...and i prefer us. I say allow canned hunting and wild hunting too.
One can only hope that in the great plains of Heaven - John and his kind will be running while the angles take shots at them. Only humans kill for the fun of it. Don't ever tell me about "inhumane" - WE are the lowest and most immoral of the animals! Shame, shame , shame – What a small Big Man!
Please help us South Africans stop this hideous practice by signing this online petition: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/160781929
Please don't put this off, do it now; let's try stop this properly as soon as possible.
I live in Texas, USA, where many people hunt for sport. I have never killed an animal or kept a fish that I didn't intend to eat. I have also never killed anything (for sport) that didn't have a reasonable chance of escape. I have come home from many a hunting or fishing trip empty handed. Paying big bucks to "hunt" an animal in a pen and calling yourself a hunter is like hiring an expensive prostitute and calling yourself a stud!
There is much more to do in SA. Why do you have to shoot the animals? The local villages can make as much money by catering to photographers and those that are there to view the wildlife...the customer pool for hunters is much smaller than that of observers. I had to listen to two hunters brag about the elephants they killed on a recent flight back from Jo'Burg to Atlanta. And thier guides were transplants from the U.S. How are the locals truly benefiting?
We had a much better time meeting the people and experiencing the culture. Those two guys never left the hunting camp. Pity.
I used to be a hunter, for food only. This is not hunting. No man who calls himself a true hunter would participate in this type of killing.
This is the equivalent of tree-stand shooting and bear baiting, which is only practiced by cowards who are afraid to be on the ground, facing the animal up close, because they don't know how to hunt. I would like to see if these types of men would be willing to hunt the large wild predators, alone at night, during a rainstorm so both could not hear the subtle noises as they stalked each other. The human hunter would become the meal.
Beyond the fact that hunting animals in any setting, canned or not is basically murder, what no one else has commented on in this story is the fact that not only are the lions being bred for slaughter, but so are the horses that are being used to feed the lions. Foster and his type, as well as the people running these "safaris" should be prosecuted. They represent the worst elements of mankind and have no place in a civilized world.
Shooting an animal makes you a killer. Killing a human makes you a murderer. Wanting to hunt down and kill this hunter for killing an animal, no matter how much it bothers you, means you've stepped over the line and makes you a pre-meditated, psychotic murderer and an extreme danger to society. Your way of animal rights reasoning turns you into a far worse human than the one you wish to kill.
It -is- 2007, the above commentors are right. Why is hunting legal, anywhere? There is NO way you can validate taking of life for sport. When our environment is already suffering, how can you take the life of what could be somethings mother, sister, daughter, father, brother or son? All animals have familial communication with their elders and form social communities and packs, to pick one and decide that you are going to arbitrarily end it's life is so pig headed, and so typical of the human condition and reason we're on the verge of self-destruct all the time. It should be banned outright, and people who defend it, or encourage it, should be forced into psychiatric care. 'Thou shalt not kill' had no stipulations as to what it extended to.
And what happens when Lions and other's like this are extinct? Then what?
Humans are anhiliating animals and it's appalling. God created animals before humans, who gives humans the right to kill animals like this? Disgusting.
We humans kill cows, pigs, hens, fish et cetera. We kill plants and eat the plant-seeds. All are living organism. We eat a diverse array of food because we find pleasure in doing so (in theory we could survive on proteins, vitamins and minerals together with water).
So what is the logical difference when it comes to hunting. The joy of hunting (and fishing) is immoral? That the animal in this case should have a higher chance of killing the hunter rather than the other way around? One should be clear on what one percieves as the problem, or as a lack of respect, in comparison to the everyday processing of cattle, and other living organism like corn.
Ugh. No true man has to prove himself by murdering an animal. We are not predators. Predators have to kill to live, we do not, we choose to do so because our taste makes it worth it to us. And as for comparing the lion and the cow, saying we treat cows terribly is not an excuse to treat lions that way. I think its disguisting the little regard in which we hold all species, even our own. I'm glad if people lose their jobs and their money, they should be ashamed to make a living doing this. There is no wealth like dignity. Ugh...I'm ashamed of my species.
I am more than appalled by this practice that amounts to no more than killing caged animals. And what kind of sick person could call themselves a 'hunter' after such a killing? Some people will do anything to pump up their own ego, it seems.
How horrible. I didn't want to watch but unfortunately I did and I'm crying for those poor unfortunate,innocent creatures dying uselessly to entertain rich maniacs.
To those expressing moral outrage about South Africa allowing this to happen - look to your own backyards. Canned hunting is done in the United States. In several states. You can hunt magestic cats like lions even smaller enclosures and under conditions that place the hunter at no risk at all. We in the U.S. are equally as guilty of allowing this disgusting, cowardly practice to happen.
The people who are comparing this activity to eating meat or killing an animal for food are decidedly short-sighted. It is a far different thing to kill an animal in order to eat its meat than it is to kill an animal because you enjoy it. Yes, I eat meat. But that does not mean that I take pleasure in the killing of the animal. It is true that humans are carnivors. But I would have liked to have thought we'd evolved past "enjoying" taking a life for no reason other than enjoyment.
Mr. Foster and those like him who choose to shoot an animal simply for the "thrill" indeed are cowards and seem to have missed out on the evolution the rest of humanity has enjoyed -- the evolution of a conscience. Not to mention that it's pathetic, and I would assume an afront to most other hunters, that these people would choose to shoot a caged animal or an animal that has been bred in captivity and then placed in a small wildneress area where it has no chance of surviving the hunt. Truly pathetic!
It's horrifying to see how humans are so inhumane. I got physically sick over this. There is nothing "manly" about killing caged or canned animals. Nothing at all. I pray those that can afford and do participate in this cruel so called "hunt", would wake up and do something good and worthy with all that disposable income of theirs, such as feed the hungry in Africa, or educate the population about AIDS and prevention, or how about providing a Habitat for Humanity project? That is something that would change the world.
How sad that destroying these creatures is more thrilling than teaching respect for fellow man and beast!
This is a sick person. Killing animals as the NRA promotes and all these sick, ignorant killers do for pure pleasure is not what a creature with any intelligence would do.
Join the Anti-Hunting Group http://www.fundforanimals.org
It saddens me to see that some people find this fun. Lets see if these people would go out there and do this with theis bare hands. I can not wait for this to STOP... This kind of people make me sick to my stomach!
It is beyond belief that lions are raised for slaughter to give short, overweight men a sense of power. This cannot be outlawed soon enough. My husband and I are disgusted by this slaughter and think the hunters should be given a "fair chance to roam and hide on 2,000 acres" and see if they get away....
I think that people who can afford to do this have exhausted all other forms of pleasure and are searching for an alternative. I think what would make it fare is to have both the lion and the man released into the enclosure on oppsite ends. The man is armed with a gun and 3 rounds of ammo. No guide, no truck and no food. Thus he has to kill the lion to get meat to eat. As far as the "Lion Farmer", how can you feel that this is ok? Did anyone notice that when he opened the gate for them to eat the horse they did not try to attack him? They have no fear of humans because humans are what feed them! Sad story, I hope they end it.
One day there will be no animals in the world left to kill.
Humans are their own worst enemy. Why is it that there is always a small percentage of the human population that simply can't get a lift or charge any other way. It saddens me to no end.
I can't stop crying. I can't believe that a rational sane human being believes this is okay even if they don't do it themselves. This is sick. This is prehistoric behavior. Stop this PLEASE! But remember, there are canned hunts going on in the USA as well. Illegal? They happen.
There is no sport in killing an animal that was captive bred; raised by humans, lacking the instincts it would have learned in the wild...and then shot by the same humans it was forced to depend upon, no chance to escape from its fenced pen; the killing shot not one shot but, often, a series of misplaced shots causing great pain.
Canned hunting is not sport where ever it occurs. And, do you know that it occurs not only in South Africa but also in the United States? Do you know that, historically, many of the baby animals that draw visitors to zoos and game parks in the United States, lions, bears, deer...once they're no longer "cute" babies find themselves in the ugly underworld of exotic animal traders? Do you know that once in the hands of these animal traders the formerly "cute" babies are sold to poorly if at all regulated road side attractions, circuses, animal collectors, and canned hunting game ranches? Much sooner than later, the "cute" bear cub or lion cub or darling fawn is driven to aberrant behavior while dying from improper diets, neglect, and, often, abuse?
A life is a life is a life whether human, animals or insect. John Foster action is almost criminal.
This is very upsetting. I know that there are several places here in the USA that promote "canned hunting" Texas, New Mexico and Montana are just a few that I know of. When will man stop killing for his ego. I guess it is just a matter of time and man will destroy this planet. So very very sad.
I am saddened and disgusted by people like John Foster, who see nothing wrong with killing defenceless and beautiful animals just to satisfy his blood lust! The videos made me weep, to see such cruelty written off by people who appear desperate to try to justify what they do.
John Foster deserves the same treatment, as someone said - let him loose in the wild with his gun, and see how long he fares when the situation is more equal? Personally, I know which way I'd like it turn out! And for people to try and justify these unfeeling lesser humans by castigating people who eat meat as having double values is pathetic and without foundation! Killing to eat is one thing - killing beautiful and endangered animals just for so-called "sport" is entirely different. I continue to lose hope for our future when such unjustified crimes against Nature continue. Man is his own worst enemy, and will undoudtedly change the balance of Nature so much that we will hasten our own eventual demise. But the blase attitude by these people simply extenuates their own stupidity and lack of common-sense, decency or morals. The sooner it's banned the better. And if it leads to the prevention of people (I use the term loosely!) like John Foster committing such horrible acts (I would use the term "crimes" here), then let's all support it happening sooner rather than later.
Don't let the SA government fool you. Unfortunately canned hunting is not going to be banned. They are REDEFINING it. Marthinus van Schalkwyk and his cronies are taking all of us for fools. If you want to find out more about this go to http://www.cannedlion.co.za and get in contact with the relevant people to see how you can help apply pressure to get canned hunting BANNED and not just redefined.
I can not believe that people get satisfaction out of shooting these beautiful animals. It just shows how much of a coward these people are to go into an enclosed space, bait the animals and then shoot them. I think it is a disgrace and needs to be stopped immediately and the people who have participated in this activity should be severely punished for what they have done. It's an outrage!
I just dont understand. When are we as a society going to make the fundamental change that is neccesary.
This is pathetic. I feel sorry for those animals. I feel even worse for the lions.
A human need not be called inmoral to kill an animal for pleasure because it takes a lot more than that. People who are involved in the hunting industry breeder or hunter are lacking a conscience are empty inside and basically have no respect for life. I can understand if one where to kill for the purpose of saving your own life but for pleasure????I bet you these so called hunters are the type of men that have no control in their life because their wives tell them what to do so they feel that by hunting their inner "man" comes out,why don't they try facing an animal without any weapons to she how manly they really are...And another thing how about taking those 25,000 instead and donating that money to good use maybe to save a life.
Very sad that a person is willing to pay to hunt confined beautiful animals so he can hang their heads on his wall! Also, he has paid trackers to track the animals for him! So how does that make him a hunter??? I would really like to know! By pulling the trigger? Gee, I believe anyone that has an index finger can do that. So a hunter... I say not. A coward with too much money and low self esteem... Unquestionably without a doubt!!
We as Humans spend a good part of our lives trying to save these majestic animals and to have them hunter for sport, I think is cruel and completely wrong. There are far to many animals in Africa that need to be protect from crimes of this nature. Putting a stop to canned hunting is only the first step towards protecting what nature intended to be free and safe from the likes of people who want an "easy" hunt. It is not a sport it is a travesty as far as I am concerned and I will be more then thrilled when the African government puts an end to it.
If you are as appalled as I am at this disgustingness,contact www.humanesociety.org and WSPA.org.How can these people murder innocent animals?What a travesty.
Do these people really think they are Great White Hunters? They are only little boys playing grownup and I am thrilled to see such barbarism outlawed and inforced
I can not believe this is still going on!!! How deeply saddening to see these astonishingly special animals murdered in such a violent way. Why must we dishonor our fellow beasts so completely? For a moment of ego???
Appalling.
To kill just to kill especially these beautiful Lions is disgusting to me. Dont even call this a sport, its a sport if the Lions were shooting back!!!!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this story online. The people who do this should be kept in an enclosure and then let loose to be hunted like these majestic animals were!! Absolutely no respect for any of Gods' creatures. They have just as much right to walk this earth as we do!! It just makes me sick to my stomach. Why isn't more being done by the South African Gov't to stop this???!!
How anyone can be so cruel to
hunt animals in the first place, and then hunt animals just released from capitivity is hard to imagine. It is arrogance and egotism. How pitiful are the humans who hunt them. They have no sense of themsevles except these COWARDLY acts. The sooner the world denounces ethics like these the closer we are to eliminating terrorism and all the other horrors.
Animals were made to be hunted and or ate. What other purpose do they serve? I am sure all of you who said it is disgusting had no problems eating that double cheesburger or chicken sandwhich. I don't want to be the one to break this to you, Those animals were killed.
It is truly terrifying to think that the people who are killing for pleasure are being allowed to own guns. This is how "accidents" happen. There is no pride in shooting a lion when the animal is looking away, and cannot escape. Killing animals for food is one thing, but just to waste such a beautiful creature for a second of "pleasure" is a crime against our earth, and should be made a crime in the south african system.
Wow, First off maybe everyone should read the article a little closer, NOBODY said it was an easy kill.
The lion is released, and it isn't sitting there in a cage. I think its wrong to hunt them, but still. These animals were bred for this particular form of hunting. I don't like it but there are idiots out there that think its a 'cool' thing to do. I dont think hunters are cowards, that is a not the case at all. One of my best friends was a hunter, but the difference is he didn't hunt for trophies, he hunted for dinner. A HUGE difference. Bad things happen in Africa, and they do here in the USA as well. Dog fights, cock fights, they still go on even here. What about bullfights? Those are even more disgusting to me than this particular brand of hunting.
I'd like to see research done that analyzes why some people hunt and others don't. I think it's pretty cowardly for a man with a rifle to hunt a lion, or any other animal, that has no way of escaping him. I'm also puzzled by the reverence hunters seem to show their prey after they kill them. They often talk about their prey in glowing terms, such as nice antlers, beautiful animal. etc. It's sick.
I have a very good imagination. I could not have imagined this hideous practice however. A sad commentary on the Human condition.
This is called hunting? The animal doesn't stand a chance of escaping, this is sickening.
The human race can be so cruel and selfish.
I am not here to argue over the subject if this is right or wrong. I dont see alot of sport in the way this man was hunting but that's his decision. I recently went on a hunting trip to South Africa and wanted to clear up a few points that most people here are trying to make without have ANY research to back them up. While you can't export meat from another country to the USA the meat does not in any way go to waste. EVERY last piece of meat from these animals is eating. I would say 75% more meat is used in these animals than in US slaughter houses. My meat was used at the camp for our meals, for the poor workers to feed their families, and the rest was given to a local orphanage to help feed the huge amout of needy kids in this coutry.
To those who say hunters ride around in trucks and shoot animals. Most hunters will not shoot from the truck but actually hunt down the animals on foot many times not succesfully. Also just to show how important managed hunting is there is a huge hunting reserve that has been closed in SA for over 50 years. It is being reopened by the gov. next year but the animal population is almost gone. Not because of hunters but because of poachers who dont care about the animals at all. Unless you are a strict vegitariane how can you argue with any of this?
"canned hunting" is not only legal, but a thriving business here in the USA. It is the "sport" of cowards who need guns to kill animals to make them feel superious and more "manly" We may not be able to prevent what goes on in other countries but we all have the ability to contact our local reps in Congress & Senate and ask them to support laws designed to protect animals and punish abusers & profiteers. We can join animal originations to get more involved locally & worldwide. Please let's all do our part!
Absolutely Disgusting. How about we even up the odds by taking away his gun. Not so powerful are we now? And to the morons who campare this to a lion attacking a person. There is a difference between killing for food and killing for sport. Also, the lion does not have the benefit of intelligence. If you are going to use the logic of "the lion does it so we can" then in that case, would the logic of "we shoot lions in captivity..so we can shoot you in captivity as well" work?
There's absolutely no way this can be called hunting! An enclosed space....give me a break! This guy John Foster can not seriously call himself a hunter!! If he wants to hunt, give him a bow and arrow and let him hunt deer. This is nothing more than some rich person trying to satisfy his over blown EGO!
I just wanted to say I hope that John Foster was happy with his kill, never have I been so upset to think that people today still think it is ok to shot an animal for the sole purpose of just saying, "Look at me and what I shot!" Put that man out there with his bare hands and show me who will win the battle, lion or man, boy I would love to see the outcome of that battle!
john foster should be ashamed of himself and others that partake in this joke they call hunting. if they really want to "bag their prey" they should take lessons from the animals they kill and go out and stalk them like a real hunter would. that way, the playing field would be leveled. any lion is going to defend a kill it made or found, and its disgusting to bait animals as beautiful as they are.
Canned hunts whether in South Africa, United States, or anywhere are NOT HUNTING. They are KILLING. Hunting is going out and giving the animal a fair chance to escape, pursuing it on it's own terms. Chasing something around a fenced in pen is no more than a slaughter. True sportsmen, like myself, are disgusted to read things and see things like this.
This cannot even be called a business. This is selfishness for anything. What a waste of resources. Those villagers could raise crops for other viable purposes other than "feed" horses. The hunters should be evaluated for a warped sense of values and put into an army to hunt terrorists where they could use their so called hunting skills. Then it would be fair.
This is so digusting. Once again the pleasure of the wealthy prevails. To breed for the pleasure of sport... it is an abomination... get a conscious and do something good with your disposable cash...and if you can't think of something to do with your money ask someone to help you.
These poor animals do not deserve this. I really thought this was outlawed. Time to do some research and see if we can stop this.
Sad but for a species [human] that slaughters each other for a cause, a religion ,lust or money what can one expect! If there is money in it a human will do it laws or morals be damned! And all the "weepy anti hunter haters" ,animal worshippers , , meat abstinance moralists and whatever cause they can conjure up probably won't change a thing! So save your outrage against any and all that don't toe your mark in the world ! Every breath you take every niche you occupy could be deadly detrimental and an affront to some living thing we compete with for life!
First, I want to say that I agree that canned hunts are neither sporting nor honorable. However, as one individual responded here, better that animals are bred for this purpose than that hunters seek out the FAR more rare wild conterparts.
Second, before we pass judgement on those individuals who offer these canned hunts, or, for that matter, those who partake in them, remember that each of us commits FAR worse damage to the environment and these SAME animals every day. That's right, if you drive your status-only SUV (think soccer mom living in suburbia, rednecks with giant trucks used only for transportation to and from work, etc.), if you buy plastic-wrapped foods (thereby creating excessive waste), if you buy any of the 99% of beauty products on the market, if you run your AC unit 24/7, if you buy ANYTHING made out of leather, if you eat hamburgers or steak, etcetera etcetera you are killing ALL the species on the planet. Be forever cautious at whom you point a critical finger, as four of the five of those fingers point right back at you. It is easy to defame others for what they do, but it's much harder to look inward and see that each of us is FAR worse than ANY hunter's actions. Lastly, for those of you with a bit more violent of solutions or wishes against these hunters, remember that by wanting to do harm or harm to be done to anyone, you, yourself are as guilty as them. On top of that, every fanatically violent response (verbal/theoretical or real) damages and hinders the efforts of REAL animal rights activists because you make ALL animal rights activists look like fanatics and extremists who bomb clinics and shoot those who don't see the world through the same blinders. I encourage all of you to take a hard look at yourselves before you dare condemn any other human for exercising their own governmentally protected freedoms, such as the right to hunt, bear arms, express opinions, etc. Moderation is the key to peace. "Virtue is the mean between two vices, one of excess and one of deficiency." ~Socrates
I can understand hunting to feed your family (not that I would do it)....Hunting for sport is disgusting. Why is that "trophy" so important? I cannot believe this is still allowed in modern times.
People who engage in such activity have serious problems . Why do we feel the need to kill everything !
Animals ae here as recourse for our pleasure. If we don't have animals to kill, we would hunt each other. Just ask NRA.
The end of this article boasts that "John had bagged two lions." How do you BAG a CANNED animal? The way you shoot fish in a barrel? Unbelievable ignorance abounds in this world, and here we have a picture of it. By the way, although Africa has a long history of selling out its own resources, canned hunting is done everywhere, and it is rampant in the U.S. (esp.Texas)The argument that hundreds of thousands of hunting tourist dollars would be lost (if it were truly banned) makes as much sense as a hitman whining about his income drying up since murder is illegal. If you make money from the destruction of nature and humanity you need to find a different line of work.
Where are the international animal welfare groups? Why aren't they fighting this. Why aren't they publicizing this. Men who pay money to kill these animals are not men at all. It's horrifying and disgusting. If this was brought to the publics attention maybe animals lovers could help!
Since when has canned hunting of domestic animals ever counted as a sport let alone a manly sport?
Im ashamed to be part of the human race sometimes.......
Im afraid that Agent Smith hit the nail on the head: I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area
END THESE CANNED HUNTS NOW!!!! Worried about Blood Revenues? Get a job! Put yourself within the caged boundaries and be the hunted. PETA, Please get involved!!! INTERNATIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY, Please get involved!!!!
What a waste , absolutely no respect for living creature , these are truly dangerous people !
This is a disgrace. Why would you want raise something so beautiful then allow others to hunt it for fun? I never understood hunting for pleasure anyway. How would you like it if you were raised in captivity then released, only to be shot and hung on a wall. It'd be real gruesome to walk into a mans home and see human heads hanging on a wall for sport. Would you like to be hunted?
This is way beyond anything rational, and hard to believe this sort of slaughter still exists. With what we know about our dying planet, you would think that the most intelligent species on earth would be fighting hard to keep one of the most precious animals in existance-once again, man chooses greed and selfishness,all for but only a carcus to hang on their wall....it still amazes me that we humans are the be all end all of this planet -there is a force greater than us!!!
It is amazing to me how a creature as smart as humans can be so saddenly stupid. People do this to almost every creature in the world, hunting for sport and what not. But think of this, when your children grow up and they have even no zoos to go to because man slaughtered all the animals, where will you get your precious food and pelts and trophys then? I suppose man will eventually just turn to hunting other man???
We cannot just sit by and allow things like this to happen. Man was not here first, the animals were, and after they are gone, man will starve without having to resort to cannibalizing or some other insane ways. The same can be seen in natural resources, the price will never come back down. The earth cannot simply create more oil. We must take pride in what we have left, every day a new species is placed on the endangered species list, while people sit by and stay killing 1 more wont hurt, what if every hunter said that? For example " 13 white rhinos remain alive today for example, and the ones they want to breed arent breeding." When they're gone..they're gone. Destroy all the lions and you will have over population in another species forcing a slaughter in that species until you get to the bottom of the food chain. Man may be at the top of that chain with the ability to hunt and kill whateve they wish..... But 1 day...1 day...man will realize there isnt anything left on that food chain except man... What then?
I think it is wrong to breed an animal just to hunt it and kill it for the sport of it. Hunting to me has always meant that you eat whatever you kill. You don't hunt an animal and kill it just to have it stuffed or mounted. Besides, breeding a wild animal and turning it loose a couple of days before tracking it is not really hunting.
I found this to be very disturbing and disgusting. The individuals breeding and hunting these beautiful creatures are cowards. What could they possibly gain from this type of canned hunting other than a big ego. When i saw the footage of these animals being shot, i almost cried. what did they do to deserve this. It is animal cruelty.
I wish Feme Oke had included a profile on the "hunter." Is he just another rich American with nothing better to do with his money? Does he need this "prize" to boost his ego? Who are the people who engage in these "hunts." I'll call him a hunter when I see him tracking the lion on foot, and without a high powered rifle for protection. Honestly, without such things, who would be at the top of the food chain? It's pathetic.
Arno, Why should there be any trophy hunters in this day and age. If you can't see the difference between killing animals for food, and killing animals for "pleasure" then I feel for you. Posted By  : 12:16 PM ET |
