The biggest threat to Africa's lions is the ignorance of the average American and European activist. As a professional conservationist working specifically on predators in Africa I can tell you that the only places where lion populations are on the rise are where traditional conservation efforts are combined with well regulated commercial hunting on privately owned land. There are no exceptions. The bottom line is that if the local people are not given a financial incentive to have lions around they do not want them around. Imagine if you had wild animals in your neighborhood who killed the animals you raise for a living and sometimes killed your children. You would not want them either. Wrap your mind around it as a fact because if the hunting ban people have their way lions will disappear from Africa.
4
Meanwhile, the American lion, Puma concolor, is effectively extinct from 2/3 of the United States, and getting hammered harder and harder each year: http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2c2c8cf3bcd76e459d327b65f&id=89f...[UNIQID]
Where's the outrage at killing pumas with traps and snares meant for other animals when they aren't being killed by rising hunting/trapping quotas in the United States?
Where's the outrage at killing pumas with traps and snares meant for other animals when they aren't being killed by rising hunting/trapping quotas in the United States?
2
The healthiest populations of wild game in Africa exist in places where trophy is trophy hunting is managed and encouraged by the local governments. Why? Because hunting makes the animals a valuable source of income to the government and, thereby, to the native population. So, we should not be blaming trophy hunting for the demise of African wildlife. If anything, it is the reason we still have some left to save.
1
Why fence off the wildlife ?.... It's humans who need to be quarantined....
4
Excellent article. Sadly I do not expect the anti-hunting community to ever accept that trophy hunting is an important part of funding for conservation. the truth is a trophy hunter brings in several times the money that an eco-tourist does however the activity varies from country to country how much stays local and how conservation oriented vs how corrupt the activity is.
If the local people do not see a value to the wildlife they will not tolerate it. Witness the steep decline in wildlife after Kenya banned hunting in the early 1970's, a decline that the country is still not fully recovered from. You can have both hunting and lions but it is doubtful you can have lions without hunting.
If the local people do not see a value to the wildlife they will not tolerate it. Witness the steep decline in wildlife after Kenya banned hunting in the early 1970's, a decline that the country is still not fully recovered from. You can have both hunting and lions but it is doubtful you can have lions without hunting.
2
Another issue with preserving lions in parks is keeping them in parks and keeping the general population safe from them. Look at how the U.S. reacted when the toddler was killed at Disneyland by the alligator. A lot of people are anxious about visiting or living in Florida because of alligators and thinking alligators should be killed when found outside of parks.
We wouldn't like it if lions were running around our suburbs eating pets and sometimes people.
It's true that we have mountain lions in the U.S. A mountain lion killed and ate a jogger near Nederland Colorado about 10 years ago.
One reason that mountain lions are easier for us to deal with then lions are in Africa is that our residences are usually adequate to keep animals out. Most Americans who are on foot near American mountain lions made a knowing choice to be there jogging or hiking. Africans who encounter lions are more likely to be on their way to someplace without an option to ride in a vehicle.
I don't see how anyone can predict tourism spending in Africa. That is dependent not only on the attractions and the economy, but also on tourists' impressions of safety in Africa. No one will go to Africa as a tourist if they think they are going to get a horrible disease or attacked by terrorists.
We wouldn't like it if lions were running around our suburbs eating pets and sometimes people.
It's true that we have mountain lions in the U.S. A mountain lion killed and ate a jogger near Nederland Colorado about 10 years ago.
One reason that mountain lions are easier for us to deal with then lions are in Africa is that our residences are usually adequate to keep animals out. Most Americans who are on foot near American mountain lions made a knowing choice to be there jogging or hiking. Africans who encounter lions are more likely to be on their way to someplace without an option to ride in a vehicle.
I don't see how anyone can predict tourism spending in Africa. That is dependent not only on the attractions and the economy, but also on tourists' impressions of safety in Africa. No one will go to Africa as a tourist if they think they are going to get a horrible disease or attacked by terrorists.
2
While many consider legal trophy hunting as part of the problem for declining lion (and other big game) populations, it is very important to acknowledge that many rational, intelligent, informed and environmentally minded people view trophy hunting as part of the solution. I realize that this is a difficult pill to swallow for many people...me included. However, one big game trophy hunter brings in several thousands of dollars to the community. Furthermore, the local community that benefits from the hunters fully realizes that there will be no more hunters if there isn't the appropriate game. While the killing of Cecil the Lion was terrible, trophy hunting in countries like South Africa, Namibia and Botswana is done (by and large) legally and in a manner that preserves the wildlife. It is no coincidence that the big game populations in these countries are the largest and best protected in Africa. I don't hunt and have incredible respect and appreciation for Lions in the wild (including Rhino, Elephant, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Duiker...etc), however, immediately dismissing trophy hunting as evil and a contributor to declining animal populations is an emotional response, not an informed one.
2
It doesn't help to hear something as USELESS as “He has already lost his soul.”
Absolute superstition trash! When we should be doing something much more concrete about this travesty.
Absolute superstition trash! When we should be doing something much more concrete about this travesty.
People breeding like rabbits - that is the problem. Unless it is addressed there will continue to be wars for resources, tyrants, degradation of wilderness and extinction of iconic species.
5
Dear Mr. Coniff, unfortunately for the readers who have not become so depressed by the second paragraph, you introduced a possible solution near the end of your Op-Ed: "People living around protected areas need to see practical benefits to living with wildlife."
This has been tried successfully in India when wildlife preservationists figured out over experimentation that trying to safeguard, police etc the wildlife parks rarely worked. If the local population does not see any benefit to them, I repeat, any benefit to them, they will ignore or fight it actively or passively.
If the people in these endangered areas get enough to eat and earn enough income from eco-tourists and wildlife tourists, they will protect the animals. After all, they now see it as a source of income. I know of this group: http://www.sacon.in/ doing great work in India's Andaman Islands where they have proved this concept.
I can't believe it has not been tried in Africa and in a massive scale, it strains my credibility.
This has been tried successfully in India when wildlife preservationists figured out over experimentation that trying to safeguard, police etc the wildlife parks rarely worked. If the local population does not see any benefit to them, I repeat, any benefit to them, they will ignore or fight it actively or passively.
If the people in these endangered areas get enough to eat and earn enough income from eco-tourists and wildlife tourists, they will protect the animals. After all, they now see it as a source of income. I know of this group: http://www.sacon.in/ doing great work in India's Andaman Islands where they have proved this concept.
I can't believe it has not been tried in Africa and in a massive scale, it strains my credibility.
3
Let me state up front that I'm a firm believer that human overpopulation is devastating this planet and destroying enrire species as we increasingly overwhelm entire ecosystems with our presence. Yet this encroachment is seen as survival related activity, right or wrong.
Perhaps part of the reason for the massive and hostile response to the killing of Cecil was that this hunter killed for pleasure, for sport, and in a manner that ensured he remained safe while he slaughtered a living creatures for which he apparently felt no empathy or respect. All of that to hang the head of a dead animal on his trophy wall. That disgusts me on a more visceral level than encroachment.
Perhaps part of the reason for the massive and hostile response to the killing of Cecil was that this hunter killed for pleasure, for sport, and in a manner that ensured he remained safe while he slaughtered a living creatures for which he apparently felt no empathy or respect. All of that to hang the head of a dead animal on his trophy wall. That disgusts me on a more visceral level than encroachment.
4
Things look awfully bleak for the beautiful animals of Africa if what you say is true. The governments are corrupt and the people live in extreme poverty. That is a recipe for disaster.
1
Here's what you can do that WILL help: donate some money (as much or as little as you can afford - $5 helps) to World Wildlife Fund, Panthera or the Center for Biodiversity. All are great organizations that are fighting hard to keep lions and other species alive & in the wild.
Here's another thing: Don't have children, or have fewer children. Overpopulation is the single biggest cause of every environmental problem.
Here's another thing: Don't have children, or have fewer children. Overpopulation is the single biggest cause of every environmental problem.
5
There was a particularly salient podcast last September on RadioLab specifically addressing trophy killing "The Rhino Hunter". I highly recommend listening to it.
The argument from trophy hunters is that they are commodifying these game animals by paying sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars to hunt older males. Without a financial incentive to save the animals, villagers kill them in overwhelming numbers
While there are plenty of counter-arguments that can easily be made, the end result is that until people actually do something that requires more than tapping 140 characters into their phone, animals will continue to be exterminated by villagers.
The argument from trophy hunters is that they are commodifying these game animals by paying sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars to hunt older males. Without a financial incentive to save the animals, villagers kill them in overwhelming numbers
While there are plenty of counter-arguments that can easily be made, the end result is that until people actually do something that requires more than tapping 140 characters into their phone, animals will continue to be exterminated by villagers.
All of Mr. Conniff's ideas expressed in this article would help, including protected areas in each country, more funding, and so on. But the two biggest problems facing Africa today are corruption by government officials in far too many countries and unchecked population growth on a continent that cannot even support or feed its existing population, let alone the numbers that would result from the predicted population boom.
Corruption allows poaching for bushmeat, destruction of protected land, cutting down of forests for firewood and charcoal, and other abuses by locals, but also, for example, killing of wildlife to feed a voracious Chinese market for wildlife parts. Overpopulation has led to destruction of wild lands, horrible living conditions and poverty in many urban slums, wars, and attempts by thousands of Africa's most desperate to try to make their way to Europe and more.
Protection for wild areas and for wildlife is urgently necessary, but is not sufficient. Attempts must be made to also tackle overpopulation and corruption. It is necessary for the benefit of both people and wildlife of Africa, and for the sake of both I hope such efforts are successful.
Corruption allows poaching for bushmeat, destruction of protected land, cutting down of forests for firewood and charcoal, and other abuses by locals, but also, for example, killing of wildlife to feed a voracious Chinese market for wildlife parts. Overpopulation has led to destruction of wild lands, horrible living conditions and poverty in many urban slums, wars, and attempts by thousands of Africa's most desperate to try to make their way to Europe and more.
Protection for wild areas and for wildlife is urgently necessary, but is not sufficient. Attempts must be made to also tackle overpopulation and corruption. It is necessary for the benefit of both people and wildlife of Africa, and for the sake of both I hope such efforts are successful.
4
I was shocked to read that Africa's population is 4 billion, and that there are only 20,000 lions remaining. We can wish for a miraculous outcome, but those numbers say it all.
5
I am donating directly to Nat Geo, big cat project. I Believe it is very important remaining lions need a substantial protection. However some part of Africa which government power is seriously weak , Lions will not be surviving longer. Human population and activities will drive these crucial cats to their end.
We will give them a chance to survive some little spots such as southern Africa.
Sub Saharan Africa wild life will be annihilated by human activity sure.
We will give them a chance to survive some little spots such as southern Africa.
Sub Saharan Africa wild life will be annihilated by human activity sure.
We also need to address the people problems. Most of the public in Africa are proud of their wildlife and love it. But they have to live. If the choice is between saving lions and eating, guess which one people will choose. The following must be done and done quickly:
1) Bring effective contraceptives to all women. And don't tell me that women in Africa don't want contraceptives. Of course they do.
2) Bring down the child mortality rate. Areas with high child mortality rates have high birth rates as parents attempt to make up for the children lost.
3) Bring effective development to EVERYONE. This include electricity and Internet to all villages and cities.
4) Increase the productivity of the farmland and make the farming much more intensive.
I don't mean that we can ignore the need for conservation and preservation, but it must be done hand in hand with effective development and population control.
1) Bring effective contraceptives to all women. And don't tell me that women in Africa don't want contraceptives. Of course they do.
2) Bring down the child mortality rate. Areas with high child mortality rates have high birth rates as parents attempt to make up for the children lost.
3) Bring effective development to EVERYONE. This include electricity and Internet to all villages and cities.
4) Increase the productivity of the farmland and make the farming much more intensive.
I don't mean that we can ignore the need for conservation and preservation, but it must be done hand in hand with effective development and population control.
2
If they're eating the lion's prey now, there is no way that Africa will quadruple it's population to 4 billion in twenty years. To have more people you must have more food.
Overpopulation, and poverty from economic inequity. Overpopulation, and poverty from economic inequity. Oh, and overpopulation, and poverty from economic inequity.
It is, and has been explicitly, glaringly obvious for some time now that these are the reasons for these problems, yet we continue to ignore this, and whistle past the graveyard.
Catastrophic decline of the Lions, (as well as hundreds of other species) and the accelerating diaspora of populations fleeing Africa for better lives in the developed countries are the obvious results of ignoring the above fact.
Mankind's collective chickens are coming home to roost.
It is, and has been explicitly, glaringly obvious for some time now that these are the reasons for these problems, yet we continue to ignore this, and whistle past the graveyard.
Catastrophic decline of the Lions, (as well as hundreds of other species) and the accelerating diaspora of populations fleeing Africa for better lives in the developed countries are the obvious results of ignoring the above fact.
Mankind's collective chickens are coming home to roost.
2
It is no use just feeling sad about this. Action is needed, and if enough of us act, then we will make a greater and greater difference. Support organizations like Panthera, and do so vigorously, generously, vocally. Get the resources where they are needed. Be a lion yourself, and fight to save these magnificent animals.
"...odd bedfellow..." Newt Gingrich. Why do write that? Is Mr Gingrich known for cruelty to animals?
(Reminds me of an exchange I have with people when they learn I'm a conservative. "You are conservative?" They say. "But you are so nice.")
This newspaper makes incorrect assumptions like this all the time. Sloopy journalism.
(Reminds me of an exchange I have with people when they learn I'm a conservative. "You are conservative?" They say. "But you are so nice.")
This newspaper makes incorrect assumptions like this all the time. Sloopy journalism.
1
The mindless annihilation of the lion is hard to come to terms with for those few of us who find it difficult to stomach such barbarity. That any human being would pay anything at all to "bag" one and mount it then hang its mighty head, replete with mane, from a dinning room wall speaks of a species that exists in a another dimension, one where money is meaningless and self-gratification supreme.
To be precise, such self-degradation brings to mind the term masturbatory. That's masturbatory as in "the pleasure of killing".
In other, less provocative terms, one might call it juvenile.
Juvenile.
As in "Superman".
"Bat Man".
"Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound."
You get the drift.
There do not have to be many of these subspecies (of human beings), for the Lion to be pushed to the edge of existence nowadays. We've mastered the art of death.
You just have to be rich on the one hand and willing to toss your morals out the window of the jeep you're riding in (it's driven by a suborned game warden) on the other.
That's what we've come to after wars that have annihilated several hundreds of millions, leaving the rest of us morally exhausted.
Elie Wiesel. You spoke for your fellow man.
Who will speak for the helpless wildlife?
To be precise, such self-degradation brings to mind the term masturbatory. That's masturbatory as in "the pleasure of killing".
In other, less provocative terms, one might call it juvenile.
Juvenile.
As in "Superman".
"Bat Man".
"Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound."
You get the drift.
There do not have to be many of these subspecies (of human beings), for the Lion to be pushed to the edge of existence nowadays. We've mastered the art of death.
You just have to be rich on the one hand and willing to toss your morals out the window of the jeep you're riding in (it's driven by a suborned game warden) on the other.
That's what we've come to after wars that have annihilated several hundreds of millions, leaving the rest of us morally exhausted.
Elie Wiesel. You spoke for your fellow man.
Who will speak for the helpless wildlife?
1
The only way to ptotect species is managed hunting. Make the animals worth more alive that dead. Until you all figure that out, they will continue to be slaughtered by poachers.
1
As with many of the worlds problems, we again see that one of the big issues - and one that is often ignored lest offense arise (as it always seems to do these days, no matter the topic) - is culture.
Yes many of the areas referenced in the article are poor (and have always been, relatively speaking) but when your society/culture wants or accepts big families, views killing wildlife as just part of existence, tolerates tribalism/clanism/political corruption, and the like, the Western ideals of progress and modernity just fall by the wayside. It is probably hard to convince a small local who's life depends on their livestock that killing a marauding lion is somehow a bad thing. Cultural imperialism, some in certain quarters might say.
A complex problem that calls for local solutions and by governments in the affected nations rising to the challenge. We can certainly help with money, technology, ideas, etc., but they must step up to the plate on a wide scale (not just a few elites) to change the cultural norms that allow these ecological problems to manifest themselves. We (and the West) cannot just change this by our tweeting or railing against local customs.
Yes many of the areas referenced in the article are poor (and have always been, relatively speaking) but when your society/culture wants or accepts big families, views killing wildlife as just part of existence, tolerates tribalism/clanism/political corruption, and the like, the Western ideals of progress and modernity just fall by the wayside. It is probably hard to convince a small local who's life depends on their livestock that killing a marauding lion is somehow a bad thing. Cultural imperialism, some in certain quarters might say.
A complex problem that calls for local solutions and by governments in the affected nations rising to the challenge. We can certainly help with money, technology, ideas, etc., but they must step up to the plate on a wide scale (not just a few elites) to change the cultural norms that allow these ecological problems to manifest themselves. We (and the West) cannot just change this by our tweeting or railing against local customs.
Obviously the author hasn't been reading the nytimes comments sections. Animal rights people think animals are more important than people (except themselves of course). So they really don't give a darn about hungry African people, just animals. There were comments on a past story that a three year old child should have been shot and killed instead of the gorilla in the zoo. These so called animal people don't really care about animals, they care about a delusional Disneyfied version of animals that have human minds and feelings. Developing a serious understanding of animals/wildlife is not nearly as important as tweeting misinformation and feeling morally superior to their fellow human beings.
1
'This is not just common sense, it’s also a survival strategy for both lions and humans, especially as Africa’s population quadruples in this century to four billion people.'
The problem with this sentiment is that it portrays human population growth as something that just will happen, as if there is no alternative. The two leading religions in the world, Christianity and Islam, both promote the fiction that there should be no restriction on the number of children any couple chooses to have. For much of humanity's written history, there has been an emphasis on the supposed great good of having large families, and centuries ago to most eyes, the 'resources' of the land and the oceans seemed limitless.
Malthus was right in his prediction that eventually humanity's numbers would swell so much that we as a species could not keep up with producing enough food, let alone having enough space for all of us. His prediction was too early as he didn't anticipate the clever mind of man coming up with so many technological advancements, and the machinery to cultivate so much of the earth to produce our food.
We are finally waking up to the fact that our planet is not ours to plunder mindlessly. What is happening to animal and plant species world wide is an act of utter arrogance. We are seeing extinctions of species around the world, yet act as if we are helpless and nothing can be done. Having fewer children and learning respect for nature will go a long way.
The problem with this sentiment is that it portrays human population growth as something that just will happen, as if there is no alternative. The two leading religions in the world, Christianity and Islam, both promote the fiction that there should be no restriction on the number of children any couple chooses to have. For much of humanity's written history, there has been an emphasis on the supposed great good of having large families, and centuries ago to most eyes, the 'resources' of the land and the oceans seemed limitless.
Malthus was right in his prediction that eventually humanity's numbers would swell so much that we as a species could not keep up with producing enough food, let alone having enough space for all of us. His prediction was too early as he didn't anticipate the clever mind of man coming up with so many technological advancements, and the machinery to cultivate so much of the earth to produce our food.
We are finally waking up to the fact that our planet is not ours to plunder mindlessly. What is happening to animal and plant species world wide is an act of utter arrogance. We are seeing extinctions of species around the world, yet act as if we are helpless and nothing can be done. Having fewer children and learning respect for nature will go a long way.
26
Well said As the article says, the root cause of the problem is unchecked population growth in African countries putting too much pressure on the environment. This is due to a large degree from a lack of family reproductive planning ie birth control. Birth control is allowed by Islam (but not abortion) but is forbidden by the Catholic Church. Unfortunately Catholicism has "exploded" in Africa over the years as indicated by the church itself. https://zenit.org/articles/the-catholic-explosion/
Draw your own conclusions but I think indiirectly that the Catholic church is to blame for a good part of the overpopulation problem and demise of the lion.
Draw your own conclusions but I think indiirectly that the Catholic church is to blame for a good part of the overpopulation problem and demise of the lion.
3
You've hit the nail on the head.
3
Nearly every political, environmental, and health-related problem in the world has as its root cause the strain on air, water, food and energy resources resulting from overpopulation. And like the paradigm of putting a frog in a pot of water and then slowly heating it to the boiling point, people do not realize that the problem is inevitably encroaching on the quality of their lives until the problem is lethal and beyond solution.
3
How about a little more to help the people, including free contraceptives and instruction on their use.
25
You may have to change the culture first - in many places having a big family is a desired outcome for a variety of reasons. Telling them to practice birth control may likely be viewed by some as cultural insensitivity or ignorance or worse.
A quadrupling of a Sub Saharan African population that can't provide for itself now (the highjacked Maersk Alabama was carrying containers of food aid to Kenya, a country which had one of the richest pre independence agricultural sectors in the continent) is a global catastrophe. Exploding populations with nothing to do, fathered by men who can't meaningfully contribute to their support- all because First World technology has cured infectious diseases, is unsustainable. If Europe is worried about the relatively meager streams of several millions displaced by war in the Middle East, they ought to give a thought to hundreds of millions of impoverished Africans walking, riding, and sailing north, to get to someplace where they can eat, have shelter, and escape social anarchy. The First World, and that includes the emerging economies of South and East Asia should take notice when poor Nigerians are smashing holes in oil pipelines to get oil for cooking. That in the most populous African country with a huge oil industry built by the West for to sate their glutenous appetite for fossil fuel and not much else in the way of an economy.
15
I will be more impressed by men who seek to collect trophies by killing wild beasts, if they had to do it with their bare hands. Any other action with weapons of mass destruction is nothing but cowardly and contemptible.
12
Palmer uses a compound bow, which is in no way a "weapon[] of mass destruction". The bow is visible in Palmer's trophy photos. Google for more.
6
not the point of the article, the point this kind of killing is not what is making the lions disappear
Okay. it was a bow.
They lured the lion out of his sanctuary with a hunk of meat tied to a chain. Then - from a safe distance - shot him with the bow - a pretty deadly and powerful weapon.
Palmer didn't kill the lion right away. Rather, Cecil bled out for several hours. If Palmer were a more competent hunter he could have saved the lion a lot of misery with a clean kill.
My point is. The fact that the commenter above incorrectly termed a bow "a weapon of mass destruction" doesn't excuse Palmer's cowardly and incompetent actions.
As you say, google it and find out.
They lured the lion out of his sanctuary with a hunk of meat tied to a chain. Then - from a safe distance - shot him with the bow - a pretty deadly and powerful weapon.
Palmer didn't kill the lion right away. Rather, Cecil bled out for several hours. If Palmer were a more competent hunter he could have saved the lion a lot of misery with a clean kill.
My point is. The fact that the commenter above incorrectly termed a bow "a weapon of mass destruction" doesn't excuse Palmer's cowardly and incompetent actions.
As you say, google it and find out.
Yes, those of us who make modest monetary contributions, offer public condemnations of trophy hunting and write politicians to curb the business of killing wild animals can't make the difference. The trophy hunters and the hunting businessses have influential and wealthy clients who are accustomed to getting what they want. It will take honest and fearless political leadership that brings an end to the slaughter of wild animals for fun.
1
The dentist who shot the lion Cecil, did it legally and openly. Now his life is a mess.
This is why poachers do not present ID cards when they kill lions or tigers or elephants.
This is why poachers do not present ID cards when they kill lions or tigers or elephants.
9
Obviously, colonialism survives. Here's another 'let's save Africa' call, on the heels of a multi-million dollar diamond removed from Botswana without fair payment to the natives. Of course, we can't mention things like that. Cecil's killing was a sad occurence, but the people of Africa are paramount.
5
The animals that are responsible for killing endangered species and causing many to become extinct are us. The main reason for the above is that there are becoming too many of us for the earth to support. With global warming, the depletion of natural resources and the destruction of ecological balances, humans are now in a position to cause the extinction of ourselves too. We need to put much more of a focus on this. Meanwhile, humans need to be put on an "endangering list."
17
"we should be lobbying the ... (USAID)... and other international bodies to take on the park management shortfall, estimated at $700 million to $3 billion a year."
I hope not a penny of taxpayer money is sent to "aid" this or any other cause. I'm not some grouchy old codger writing this. I'm simply pointing out the reality that any money sent will immediately line the pockets of the existing corrupt African elite that have kept their continent in poverty for generations.
If I thought sending money would do any good I would certainly support it. But it's been proven repeatedly that corruption is epidemic and the money will do nothing but reinforce the positions of the existing corrupt leaders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/world/africa/nike-under-scrutiny-as-pa...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/04/opinion/international/jacob-zuma-must-...
I hope not a penny of taxpayer money is sent to "aid" this or any other cause. I'm not some grouchy old codger writing this. I'm simply pointing out the reality that any money sent will immediately line the pockets of the existing corrupt African elite that have kept their continent in poverty for generations.
If I thought sending money would do any good I would certainly support it. But it's been proven repeatedly that corruption is epidemic and the money will do nothing but reinforce the positions of the existing corrupt leaders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/world/africa/nike-under-scrutiny-as-pa...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/04/opinion/international/jacob-zuma-must-...
10
The plight of the African lion is symptomatic of out tendency as humans to encroach upon and subsequently destroy the habitats of other living creatures for profit or gain. It is not just lion but whales in the oceans, tigers and elephants in Asia, wildlife in the Amazon rain forest and bears and salmon in the Pacific Northwest, to name but a very few, that are at risk.
It is incumbent on us to eliminate the corruption and poverty that contributes to the killing of these animals in Africa and elsewhere, but until we acknowledge that the world's biodiversity is more important than profit and that the survival of our species is dependent upon the survival of others, the extinction of species will continue until none remain.
It is incumbent on us to eliminate the corruption and poverty that contributes to the killing of these animals in Africa and elsewhere, but until we acknowledge that the world's biodiversity is more important than profit and that the survival of our species is dependent upon the survival of others, the extinction of species will continue until none remain.
28
6
Cougars aren't lions. The species are "Puma concolor" and "Panthera leo", respectively.
4
A puma is also known as a mountain lion.
Your 'red herring' correction comments do not detract from the brutal and unlawful killing of Cecil the Lion.
Your 'red herring' correction comments do not detract from the brutal and unlawful killing of Cecil the Lion.
The author touches on, then shies away from, a serious issue: much of the poaching is officially backed. In relatively poor countries there are few sources of easy money ( no lobbyists with plain envelopes) so poaching receives official backing. It may even involve police or military.
Referring to the comment from Leo. Get real these African countries have few resources, no funding and semi-literate populations. There are jobs but they are low-tech and rural. Tourism can help where the resource base has not been destroyed by corruption and poaching.
A final thought: the problems of poaching and wildlife destruction are most significant in the countries that have banned tourist hunting, or where tourist hunting was never developed. As the author almost said: banning the importation of trophies and vilifying hunters exacerbates the problems, they aggravate them.
Referring to the comment from Leo. Get real these African countries have few resources, no funding and semi-literate populations. There are jobs but they are low-tech and rural. Tourism can help where the resource base has not been destroyed by corruption and poaching.
A final thought: the problems of poaching and wildlife destruction are most significant in the countries that have banned tourist hunting, or where tourist hunting was never developed. As the author almost said: banning the importation of trophies and vilifying hunters exacerbates the problems, they aggravate them.
8
The Author explains the lions and wildlife situation and provides a frame of actions - that is certainly a good basic for further discussions and helped me to better understand. Despite, the negative view to the tweets of millions of people who care - without always being an expert or directly able to interfere in protection of wildlife or animal welfare - I do not share the authors opinion that it does not change anything. I signed as well hoping, as I assume many others, that the perception of public disagreement will find its way to institutions and Politicians who could support change in direction of preservation of wildlife. And I would sign again to show publicly disagreement to whatever action endangering the wildlife.
6
“Off we go into the wild, blue yonder; flying high into the sky.”
Now, shall WE Return To Point? Until we evolve past the Trophy Hunter Stage, killing, for no Earthly reason, will be considered Sport. “Trophy-Hunter”? It sends chills up my spine.
The only trophy I ever sought was a 90, or greater, on a 5-Bull, Competition Target.
Bearing my Mossberg, .22-caliber, long range, I even achieved it a couple of times.
I’m N.R.A., carry an “Expert” rating, and am appalled that we, I, and you would consider the Murder of Animals a Trophy. Thank you, Christina Vidal of “Life with Mikey”.
Now, shall WE Return To Point? Until we evolve past the Trophy Hunter Stage, killing, for no Earthly reason, will be considered Sport. “Trophy-Hunter”? It sends chills up my spine.
The only trophy I ever sought was a 90, or greater, on a 5-Bull, Competition Target.
Bearing my Mossberg, .22-caliber, long range, I even achieved it a couple of times.
I’m N.R.A., carry an “Expert” rating, and am appalled that we, I, and you would consider the Murder of Animals a Trophy. Thank you, Christina Vidal of “Life with Mikey”.
5
Reading this column last night plunged me into a black state of despair. As someone who has lived in Africa all his life and only once - ONCE - had a fleeting glimpse of a real lion in 'the wild' (actually it was a game park) I am stunned at how bad the situation has become. Knowing the great many social problems Africa has it's hard to stay hopeful but I know that there are a great many people fighting tooth and nail to turn this situation around, organisations like Panthera and WildAid among them. With the power of social networking that we have now, its very easy to plug into these organisations, keep up with their efforts and make a direct contribution through donations. I'm talking about a few bucks here and there - every bit helps! You can even donate indirectly through Amazon's Smile program, which diverts a small percentage of each purchase you make to an organisation of your choosing. We are not past the point of no return - yet. There is much that can still be done to help preserve and sustain this magnificent creature. I know Americans care deeply about wildlife; many of the organisations doing these good works were started by Americans! Please, do what you can to help. No amount is too small! We simply cannot stand by and let this happen on our watch.
23
Mark -- I just read about WildAid after reading your comment and started a monthly donation. Thx for sharing your thoughts . . . tanya
2
As a 14 year expat American in France, I am pleased to see that each new generation of French sons shows less interest in learning to hunt from their father's tutoring.
The association of hunting with manhood as a right of passage in France is gradually being transformed even in traditional rural areas like Provence.
I was disappointed to see Governor Brown in California pull back from a more aggressive gun control position in his democratic administration. For a more enlightened approach to gun control, I would refer the reader to Australia which responded to a mass murder years ago by removing a large number of guns from private ownership.
The association of hunting with manhood as a right of passage in France is gradually being transformed even in traditional rural areas like Provence.
I was disappointed to see Governor Brown in California pull back from a more aggressive gun control position in his democratic administration. For a more enlightened approach to gun control, I would refer the reader to Australia which responded to a mass murder years ago by removing a large number of guns from private ownership.
1
Humans are disgusting. Stop producing more humans. Or make them stop producing. Either way, recognize that humans are the evil underlying pretty much everything.
20
Tapping on the raw nerve of people and arousing their anxieties about the challenges of modernity and globalising world is much easier than addressing the same concerns or managing the aftermath once in power. The Brexit conundrum perhaps best illustrates the phenomenon. Haven't the champions of Brexit having aroused masses against the EU highhandedness, imagined threats from globalisation and immigration phobia, and the sovereignty question, now back pedalling on the same issues and leaving the Brexiteers to their own fate and in a dilemma? Transposing the same reality to the US today in the context of the ongoing presidential race, one could well argue that the Trumpian style scaremongering and xenophobic outbursts could at the most cause storm in the tea-cup but nothing much beyond that. So, no need to change the familiar people - centric campaign discourse, neither in content nor style. Nor for that matter, the substance and style of politics. For, politics in democracy goes beyond the elections or power grabbing. It's an instrument to serve society and guide its course to a better future.
This comment was in response to the accompanying Editorial not to the story on African lions. Due to some technical snag it appeared here. Sorry.
4
Conniff performs an excellent service by calling attention to the dire plight of African lions. But his strategies to stop the killing of these magnificent creatures targets the symptom--inability to afford basics like food--rather than the problem. The fundamental crisis facing developing and developed nations is a massive lack of family-supporting jobs. When people have decent jobs, they are not so impoverished that they resort to large-scale slaughter of animals to feed their families. When people have decent jobs, they are not incentivized to join radical groups that lure them with money. When people have decent jobs, they are able to take a lot of actions that benefit, rather than harm, the world.
15
"When people have decent jobs, they are not so impoverished that they resort to large-scale slaughter of animals to feed their families."
I think this argument is defective. It has been used also against prostitution. But there is no way Walmart or pretty much any legal employer, can pay women what the prettier ones can earn by being call girls.
Similarly, people in China who think they need tiger body parts to ward off death will pay any price to get these body parts and there is no way that India can afford to pay similar wages in order to protect its tigers.
I am entirely in favor of everyone getting a decent wage. But many people want more, and can get more, than a decent wage. And they are going tempted by corrupt sources of income.
(As for prostitution, I am in favor of legalizing it under controls, like health checks, physical protection for the women, and without economic exploitation of the women).
I think this argument is defective. It has been used also against prostitution. But there is no way Walmart or pretty much any legal employer, can pay women what the prettier ones can earn by being call girls.
Similarly, people in China who think they need tiger body parts to ward off death will pay any price to get these body parts and there is no way that India can afford to pay similar wages in order to protect its tigers.
I am entirely in favor of everyone getting a decent wage. But many people want more, and can get more, than a decent wage. And they are going tempted by corrupt sources of income.
(As for prostitution, I am in favor of legalizing it under controls, like health checks, physical protection for the women, and without economic exploitation of the women).
5
We need to face reality that global population will surpass 10 billion people by 2050. In the next 50 years probably 25%-45% of all animal species will be extinct or significantly endangered. There will not be any "remote" regions for animals to thrive- and you can bet by that time our National Parks will be turned over to private corporations to "manage." Little by little luxury residential developments will spring up inside Yosemite, Yellowstone, and wherever else is beautiful and spacious. This is where we are headed- so don't be surprised or ask for your money back when we get there- nobody will listen to you anyway.
37
This is a valuable article with some good information and references to more extensive information at Panthera and other sources. Although I agree with the basic point of the article that much more needs to be done beyond control of trophy hunting, the denigration of the good intentions of those that were upset by the killing of Cecil is not useful. Some of the reaction to that lions death was over the top or inappropriate but most was reasonable concern about the future of wildlife. Articles like this are more useful if they concentrate on data about the decline of wildlife and advocacy of specific solutions. I hope we see more reporting on this issue.
7
Thank you, Richard Conniff, for this insightful (and depressing) article. It left me feeling hopeless and helpless. I support many wildlife organizations, but none seem effective is dealing with this horrendous problem. Can you suggest any action I can take that might help?
8
Guess what - we all know angry tweets won't solve the problem. Such is the powerlessness of the 99% to effect any change whatsoever anywhere.
11
Africa is a dying continent, from population explosion, and corruption in government agencies. As Africa where it all started, goes down, the rest of the world will follow.
9
So - you're saying we can't tweet our way to world peace?
There are several million Gen Z who will be somewhat disappointed but none-the-less maintain their slactivist ways.
There are several million Gen Z who will be somewhat disappointed but none-the-less maintain their slactivist ways.
10
It should be population control, education, containment, and safety. Instead this is all about the lions.
Here's some news for you. Lions are not at the apex of the food chain; we are. Strange how it is so very different when it comes to mountain lions, alligators, bears, moose, coyote, and wolves in a prosperous country. In a prosperous country where dog often roam outside of their owners yards or are abandoned/abused. Where cats are killing birds and other wild life with abandon because owners don't want the cat or don't want to clean the cat box.
Lions kill people and damage people's livestock. When a person's total investment is in their children or in a few chickens or in a cow, a lion is a serious threat. When the only way you can feed your children is to kill something even if it is only to sale a part of it, tell me with a straight face you would rather watch your children die.
If you want to save the wild parts of the world, and believe me when I say I do, then everyone must be safe and have enough money to feed their family every single day. Donating tons of money to save the animals is a bonus for everyone in the organization but not for the poor person that has no way to get birth control, education, a job, or food for their family. Therefore organizations that promise to save the animals can't succeed. Success can only come when we humans stop devaluing each other and find ways to lift us all up.
Here's some news for you. Lions are not at the apex of the food chain; we are. Strange how it is so very different when it comes to mountain lions, alligators, bears, moose, coyote, and wolves in a prosperous country. In a prosperous country where dog often roam outside of their owners yards or are abandoned/abused. Where cats are killing birds and other wild life with abandon because owners don't want the cat or don't want to clean the cat box.
Lions kill people and damage people's livestock. When a person's total investment is in their children or in a few chickens or in a cow, a lion is a serious threat. When the only way you can feed your children is to kill something even if it is only to sale a part of it, tell me with a straight face you would rather watch your children die.
If you want to save the wild parts of the world, and believe me when I say I do, then everyone must be safe and have enough money to feed their family every single day. Donating tons of money to save the animals is a bonus for everyone in the organization but not for the poor person that has no way to get birth control, education, a job, or food for their family. Therefore organizations that promise to save the animals can't succeed. Success can only come when we humans stop devaluing each other and find ways to lift us all up.
18
I can pretty much guarantee you that monetary aid to 'poor' African countries from wealthy nations vastly outnumbers similar aid given to programs seeking to preserve African wildlife. The question is, how much of that aid actually ends up assisting the people in need?
7
As many have expressed here, we humans have a certain knack to live outside their means, and there are a vast amount of things where this occurs across various cultures, but the root of a great deal of it is going beyond the means of our own reproduction. If you have more than one or two children, that is to say, you are replacing more people than strictly you and your spouse, you are living outside your means. With the average lifespan increasing and mortality rates falling across the board, there are simply too many of us inhabiting a finite space. While at first I was vehemently opposed to it, appalled even at how inhumane and indecent it might sound, I have begun to realize that China had something right with their 'One Child' policy to control or curtail a surplus population. There must be something done or we are going to consume the Earth until we end up consuming each other.
8
One of the main villains in this situation is the church (pick your sect) that compels the so many devout Christians (for example) to eschew birth control. When the government of Kenya finally mustered up the courage to put condom ads on national TV, the various churches stepped up and applied the requisite pressure to stop the effort. I want to be clear that I am not making the point that we need to "stop Africans" from over populating their continent. I am saying that a loving, caring, and ambitious people for themselves and their children ought to be given as many choices as possible to define their own, and their wildlife neighbors, future.
2
The elephant in the room in the climate change mitigation discussions too. Birth control should be a climate change mitigation strategy for many countries.
1
Thank You. You shine light on a big cause of the overpopulation problem . I hope somehow enough pressure can be put on the churches to change their birth control and abortion policies . Maybe with holding funds from them would be a good start.
3
In addition to your list of organizations that need to get on board are the rising middle and wealthy classes in China. They need to be aggressively convinced of the damage they are contributing to for their supposed medicinal needs. Education on a massive scale,like the dangers of cigarette smoking, will go a long way regarding g the lion's fate and especially if a massive campaign regarding birth control is launched. Attach incentives.
6
"Attach incentives."
Such as? Who pays?
Such as? Who pays?
As Edward abbey said. If we don't control our numbers, nothing that is wild or beautiful or free will survive. The planet cannot support in any sustainable way the human numbers we have now. Everything else will be sacrificed as we add the billions more expected in the coming decades. . In the end of course, our reckless breeding will be our own downfall, but by then nothing else will be left. The loss of African (or North American for that matter) wild life and ecosystems is just a symptom of the problem. The disease is us.
25
Tourism generates only a fraction of the revenues required to protect lion habitat, and Africa cannot rely on tax revenues from its impoverished citizens to cover the management costs of its parks (as we do in Europe and North America). To the commenters here who want to know how they can help, the following organizations are dedicated to finding new strategies for financially sustaining Africa's national parks:
Panthera www.panthera.org
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Univ. of Oxford www.wildcru.org/
Lion Center Univ. Minnesota http://cbs.umn.edu/research/labs/lionresearch
We are seeking ways to change the fundamental paradigm of lion conservation in a way that massively increases funding from international agencies such as UNESCO. Many of Africa's most famous parks are World Heritage Sites, yet receive no funding whatsoever to protect these areas. This must change.
Panthera www.panthera.org
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Univ. of Oxford www.wildcru.org/
Lion Center Univ. Minnesota http://cbs.umn.edu/research/labs/lionresearch
We are seeking ways to change the fundamental paradigm of lion conservation in a way that massively increases funding from international agencies such as UNESCO. Many of Africa's most famous parks are World Heritage Sites, yet receive no funding whatsoever to protect these areas. This must change.
15
The gorilla in the room... Climate change will drive animal populations closer to people or vice versa only making the preservation of species problem far worse.
5
This conversation is not going anywhere , people from where those animals originated and foreigners will never shared the same views . They see them ( animals ) very differently . People in the west romanticized animals , it's the opposite in Africa . There was an article in NYT written by African person its tittle if I'm not mistaken was " in Africa , we don't cry for lion '. It was written after the death of Cecil the lion.
There was an outcry from celebrities after the death of Cecil the lion....things you think from here will never work over there .
People in Africa don't even believe those numbers from statistics . I can go on and on. Two very different set of people.
There was an outcry from celebrities after the death of Cecil the lion....things you think from here will never work over there .
People in Africa don't even believe those numbers from statistics . I can go on and on. Two very different set of people.
5
"... an article in NYT written by African person ..."
Thanks for mentioning that OpEd -- it attracted 1257 comments:
In Zimbabwe, We Don’t Cry for Lions
By GOODWELL NZOU
AUG. 4, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/opinion/in-zimbabwe-we-dont-cry-for-li...
Thanks for mentioning that OpEd -- it attracted 1257 comments:
In Zimbabwe, We Don’t Cry for Lions
By GOODWELL NZOU
AUG. 4, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/opinion/in-zimbabwe-we-dont-cry-for-li...
6
The outrage should be how ridiculous this has become. These countries have management programs in place to permit trophy hunting and still maintain adequate populations. It was so cruel and unfair to punish this guy when hundreds of safari hunts go on in all those African countries. I really feel sorry for him. What I wish for is some of these idiots throwing stones would have something they've done be made public and see what it feels like.
3
The furor over Cecil may not have solved the problem, but it did start a world wide conversation, and opened a space in mainstream media outlets for people like this writer to tell us what the biggest threats to Lions are, and what does need to happen to stop them from going extinct. Without the furor over Cecil, would there such a prominent space for such articles and such a wide readership for them? I doubt it--as we certainly didn't see them much before.
But I beg this writer and others in who know, tell us all, specifically, how we can help. There are so many groups it is hard to know which is really good, which is really addressing the most fundamental issues, and how (aside from a cash donation) one can help. Educate and involve us!
But I beg this writer and others in who know, tell us all, specifically, how we can help. There are so many groups it is hard to know which is really good, which is really addressing the most fundamental issues, and how (aside from a cash donation) one can help. Educate and involve us!
26
Africa without lions? Why not? These beasts, along with other wildlife, yes including elephants, are, and have always been, huge impediments to Africa's progress.
What Africa really needs, is less of this condescending touchy-feely PC talk from the white man, instead help with rapid clearing the lands for build-up of sorely-needed infrastructure: roads, rails, power and internet cables, that hum, buzz, rattle, and criss-cross the land, like they do here.
By all means, Africa should take Animal Activists' money, but as Africa has always done: resisting the temptation to laugh out loud, while at the same time roundly ignoring/under-implementing their objectives. Continue looking the other way with poachers and locals, and simultaneously incentivizing public and private park operators to gather animals in controlled environments for $$$ tourism.
Not that the US has no role to play. For starters, they could show how it's done by working on making Florida gator and python-free. Or they could let Africa show the way, poachers, locals and all. Even better, work with Africa to shrink wildlife and build infrastructure.
What the US shouldn't do though, through ever-obliging NYT columns, is play-up African stereotypes: wildlife, marathon runners, abandoning fathers and the like. Best stick to Twitter for that.
What Africa really needs, is less of this condescending touchy-feely PC talk from the white man, instead help with rapid clearing the lands for build-up of sorely-needed infrastructure: roads, rails, power and internet cables, that hum, buzz, rattle, and criss-cross the land, like they do here.
By all means, Africa should take Animal Activists' money, but as Africa has always done: resisting the temptation to laugh out loud, while at the same time roundly ignoring/under-implementing their objectives. Continue looking the other way with poachers and locals, and simultaneously incentivizing public and private park operators to gather animals in controlled environments for $$$ tourism.
Not that the US has no role to play. For starters, they could show how it's done by working on making Florida gator and python-free. Or they could let Africa show the way, poachers, locals and all. Even better, work with Africa to shrink wildlife and build infrastructure.
What the US shouldn't do though, through ever-obliging NYT columns, is play-up African stereotypes: wildlife, marathon runners, abandoning fathers and the like. Best stick to Twitter for that.
1
Exactly. The sooner the planet is reduced to pavement, monoculture plants, flies, cockroaches and a few chickens the better. After all, our only purpose is to produce more and more humans and reduce and finally exterminate any life forms or land forms that don't help in this. The race to the bottom will finally be complete. Humans existence will be on the level of bacteria. And about as interesting.
3
TMK, it's hard to argue directly with either your cynicism or your snark. You're clearly shooting from your hip at some ripe targets, particularly those of us in the West who feel little or no compunction about telling Africans how to live in order to sustain our interest in, and affection for, the megafauna of the continent. Moreover, whether foreign or native, the record of how we humans treat our fellows there (or anywhere, really) is truly and sadly a major chapter in the long story of "nature red, in tooth and claw" (and spears, knives, machetes, and guns). So, touché.
But I put it to you that there's room for the development you advocate AND the lions, water buffalo, elephants, antelope, and other creatures you see as impediments to progress. I think Africa remains in the enviable position of being able to eat its cake and keep it too. As to why... Well, why not? As the animal scientist Temple Grandin has argued in her efforts to make slaughter more humane, "Nature is cruel, but we don't have to be."
But I put it to you that there's room for the development you advocate AND the lions, water buffalo, elephants, antelope, and other creatures you see as impediments to progress. I think Africa remains in the enviable position of being able to eat its cake and keep it too. As to why... Well, why not? As the animal scientist Temple Grandin has argued in her efforts to make slaughter more humane, "Nature is cruel, but we don't have to be."
10
@Michael
Development comes first, animals are already taken care of by parks and zoos. Cake, what cake? If Westerners think animals are "cake", go ahead, go ahead, buy and relocate them to Florida and Louisiana. As for Grandin, she is _for_ slaughter. Anyway the bottom line is this: poachers, buyers of animal skins and ivory, hunting safari and park operators are the real heroes here. Doing Africa a world of good: creating employment, increasing foreign trade, clearing the lands etc. Let's hope they continue ripping-off animal activists like Mr. Connniff.
@Al
Dinosaurs went extinct, everyone's fine with that. Europe used to have lions, nobody misses them. Those like yourself sick of pavement can always move to Africa.
Development comes first, animals are already taken care of by parks and zoos. Cake, what cake? If Westerners think animals are "cake", go ahead, go ahead, buy and relocate them to Florida and Louisiana. As for Grandin, she is _for_ slaughter. Anyway the bottom line is this: poachers, buyers of animal skins and ivory, hunting safari and park operators are the real heroes here. Doing Africa a world of good: creating employment, increasing foreign trade, clearing the lands etc. Let's hope they continue ripping-off animal activists like Mr. Connniff.
@Al
Dinosaurs went extinct, everyone's fine with that. Europe used to have lions, nobody misses them. Those like yourself sick of pavement can always move to Africa.
1
the dream of a rich, arrogant and entitled people ... keep Africa undeveloped like some pastoral dream while humans starve and have to compete with lions for food. in Africa, the lion isn't any person's friend. you're not going to address any conservation problem if you ignore the poverty of the people.
20
To assume poor Africans or other so called third world people don't care about the environment and wildlife is the height of arrogance. People from poor countries have been at the front of fights to preserve their wild lands and their heritage which is often tied up intimately with the environment. Sure,it's nice that rich people from the west come to stare and enjoy those lands, but give credit to the people of the lands where they visit. They've seen what has happened to the "developed" world and what happens when western industry and lifestyle comes to less developed parts of the world. It's often not good for native people and they are trying, often with success to strike a balance that we would do well to learn from. We should help them do it. It's the only sustainable way forward for the planet and humanity.
6
You're forgetting that tourism is one of the biggest sources of revenue for many African countries and that the number one attraction for tourists - international and local - is wildlife. Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia... all rely heavily on tourism. There is a very real incentive to preserve wildlife and wild spaces. There is a reason The Lion King was a massive international success. People love the idea of wild Africa, and obviously lions are an integral part of that story.
3
People in Africa are not starving because they are competing with lions for food. They are starving because their own corrupt leaders are growing fat on bribes.
7
Yes; it has been obvious, for decades. The problem with the loss of ecosystems on the planet is there are too many people.
Ironically, it seems that in the most impoverished areas where there are more people suffering from poverty there are inevitably more people and their numbers increase at rates that make humans in North America and East and West Europe appear to be going extinct.
Nothing we do will stop the slow strangulation as humans breed without let or restraint, arrogantly demanding the local fauna die or be displaced so they have more to take for themselves. This is similar to how many ranchers in the West, near US owned/controlleed,(read Federal), lands demand the right to use those lands as their own because it suits their religious and political beliefs. Everyone else can go hang. Its the same in Africa. Nothing will be done regardless of what can be done. Threats to hang hunters are wildly counterproductive, though.
Ironically, it seems that in the most impoverished areas where there are more people suffering from poverty there are inevitably more people and their numbers increase at rates that make humans in North America and East and West Europe appear to be going extinct.
Nothing we do will stop the slow strangulation as humans breed without let or restraint, arrogantly demanding the local fauna die or be displaced so they have more to take for themselves. This is similar to how many ranchers in the West, near US owned/controlleed,(read Federal), lands demand the right to use those lands as their own because it suits their religious and political beliefs. Everyone else can go hang. Its the same in Africa. Nothing will be done regardless of what can be done. Threats to hang hunters are wildly counterproductive, though.
29
"Impoverished Africans are eating the lions’ prey ..."
"Poachers and bushmeat hunters ..."
The author is vague about the ECONOMICS of poaching and bushmeat hunting. Who are the consumers of the meat? ("Impoverished Africans" is not a satisfactory answer.) What does it cost the consumers? What are alternative foods? What do they cost?
"Some of that money should also go to develop alternatives to bushmeat, to reduce conflict with wildlife (for instance, by building better nighttime corrals) and to compensate livestock herders for the burden of living with lions and other dangerous animals."
"Alternatives to bushmeat" would, presumably, be other FOODS, including non-meat agricultural products. The author mentions "agricultural improvement", but does not advocate that as a possible SOLUTION to the problem. Indeed, the author never even uses the words "food" or "farm".
The problem with this OpEd is that the author seems to more concerned with saving the animals than with feeding the humans.
"Poachers and bushmeat hunters ..."
The author is vague about the ECONOMICS of poaching and bushmeat hunting. Who are the consumers of the meat? ("Impoverished Africans" is not a satisfactory answer.) What does it cost the consumers? What are alternative foods? What do they cost?
"Some of that money should also go to develop alternatives to bushmeat, to reduce conflict with wildlife (for instance, by building better nighttime corrals) and to compensate livestock herders for the burden of living with lions and other dangerous animals."
"Alternatives to bushmeat" would, presumably, be other FOODS, including non-meat agricultural products. The author mentions "agricultural improvement", but does not advocate that as a possible SOLUTION to the problem. Indeed, the author never even uses the words "food" or "farm".
The problem with this OpEd is that the author seems to more concerned with saving the animals than with feeding the humans.
6
The thing is, liberals don't want to help the lions or the people of Africa. They just want someone to point the finger at and found Dr. Palmer an easy target. Dr. Palmer's hunting does more for wildlife conservation than any liberal has ever accomplished. As yourself, if you were losing 25% of your income because of lions destroying your livestock, wouldn't you want them dead? The $1100/square kilometer generated from trophy hunting is just icing on the cake. The problem with liberals and with Westerners more generally is that they have a very privileged view of the world that people in Africa don't have the luxury of enjoying.
5
Newt Gingrich? I'm sure he will love being called a liberal. concern for animal welfare, the environment and the survival of more than humans is not a 'liberal' trait.
2
Such reasoning justified the slaughter of the buffalo and the American Indian. Maybe even the dropping of Atomic bombs on the civilian populations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Yet where would the nation be without these actions?
I recently heard the term "hashtag activism". I think this is one of the real problems with society today, this complete and utter confusion between social media activism and actually doing something. People tweet something or post on facebook, or sign some online petition, and confuse that with actually engaging a problem.
49
Sort of like commenting on comment boards?
1
Correct! REACTING to something is NOT the same as actually doing something positive about it. But most people DON'T stop to think. They just find outlet-pleasure in reacting and just stop there. Pointless.
The lack of access to birth control is the major factor leading to human the loss of animal habitat worldwide. The republican's obsession with denying birth control as part of aid packages must be stopped.
85
The Catholic Church needs to aggressively get on board as well and promote birth control, other religions too.
14
Trophy hunting permits are a major source of revenue for wildlife preserves in Africa. Wealthy foreigners can spend upwards of 6 figures on a single trip and this money is necessary to pay salaries of those guarding the animals, in addition to money for accommodations and guides that goes to local communities. Animals killed are generally older and past breeding age.
Unfortunately, the angry-tweeting bleeding hearts who cried out over Cecil the Lions death hurt these preserves more than any rich hunter ever could. These preserves have seen a huge drop in kill permits and guided hunts paid for by people like Walter Palmer, who understandably don't want their reputations ruined in the age of Google.
I am no fan of seeing beautiful animals killed, but the facts are that more than anything else these refuges of wildlife need cold hard cash that their governments cannot provide. Anti-poaching initiatives are generally as simple as funding the training and employment of dedicated guards to thwart poachers, in addition to paying off local communities in order to replace livestock killed by lions.
Really care about wildlife? Put your money where your mouth is.
Unfortunately, the angry-tweeting bleeding hearts who cried out over Cecil the Lions death hurt these preserves more than any rich hunter ever could. These preserves have seen a huge drop in kill permits and guided hunts paid for by people like Walter Palmer, who understandably don't want their reputations ruined in the age of Google.
I am no fan of seeing beautiful animals killed, but the facts are that more than anything else these refuges of wildlife need cold hard cash that their governments cannot provide. Anti-poaching initiatives are generally as simple as funding the training and employment of dedicated guards to thwart poachers, in addition to paying off local communities in order to replace livestock killed by lions.
Really care about wildlife? Put your money where your mouth is.
10
This has worked so well in saving elephants.
4
Look a little deeper at the population dynamics and you will see that it is the only thing that is working for not only elephants and lions but all African wildlife.
We are starving everybody else, and poisoning. Shooting big fluffy guys is just icing. It's loss of the bugs and birds that will kill the soil, chemicals and carbonation the oceans. We'd better learn to love living in a dessert and breathing hydrogen sulfide.
But no, that's ridiculous. The world is so big... Humans can't possibly have any effect on it and anyway our God (I have the receipt Right here) won't let anything REALLY bad happen, at least not to the Right people. Those who Praise His Name. The Right name. And if we happen to bring on the end times, (plural? we get a do-over?), well that was meant to be, and it can only be Right and Just, and the resurrected faithful will come back to rule and sit at the Right hand of God and live in glory and joy for ever and ever and get the best condos in the shining city.
What could go wrong?
But no, that's ridiculous. The world is so big... Humans can't possibly have any effect on it and anyway our God (I have the receipt Right here) won't let anything REALLY bad happen, at least not to the Right people. Those who Praise His Name. The Right name. And if we happen to bring on the end times, (plural? we get a do-over?), well that was meant to be, and it can only be Right and Just, and the resurrected faithful will come back to rule and sit at the Right hand of God and live in glory and joy for ever and ever and get the best condos in the shining city.
What could go wrong?
8
Americans offended by what's legal in another country? How surprising. Americans trying to police the natural resources of another country? Check. 99.9% of all species that have ever existed on this planet are now extinct, and were so before the dawn of mankind. The amazing diversity or life from the Great Barrier Reef to the Amazon Rainforest are merely 1/1000th of the plethora of lifeforms that grew, lived and died on this planet earth. One lion gets hunted by a Minnesota yuppie, and now you howl for blood? And in the most modern way possible, no less: complaining on the internet that the state of the world doesn't fit your mold.
9
Yeah, it's totally offensive that someone would care about the extinction of a species that cultures across the globe have admired throughout history.
And how dare anyone have opinions about what happens on the other side of the imaginary borders that separate countries. What an outrage!
And how dare anyone have opinions about what happens on the other side of the imaginary borders that separate countries. What an outrage!
21
What is offensive is the ignorance and self riotousness that drives it. The only countries in Africa where lion populations are growing are those that have thriving commercial hunting industries. They can be compared to countries with hunting bans which all, that is ALL, are experiencing rapid population decline. Ignorance and self righteousness are the problem as much as population growth and poaching.
The controversy of The Dentist with his Kill wasn't all about Cecil. It was about self-satisfied white American males who have more than enough money and go forth to ridiculous hobbies instead of using their money and talents to, in the case of the dentist, could go forth and see that American children have teeth as healthy as his smiling set was as it loomed over that dead animal.
49
Makes me so heartsick I want to die. Yet I sit here, an average person, working in an office reading this and wonder truly what can I do? Give money? To whom (and how can I trust that it will truly do anything)? Humans have wrecked almost everything they come in contact with. Sorry for the cynical comment, but when i read something like this, I truly don't know where to turn. (And please, don't leave some snarky comment to mine, leave something constructive that is meaningful.)
46
"... working in an office reading this and wonder truly what can I do?"
Leave your office and visit Africa as a TOURIST.
Leave your office and visit Africa as a TOURIST.
9
I agree. Offer some solutions, not just the bummer du jour.
5
World Wildlife Fund, Panthera, Center for Biodiversity. Yes, it really will help. Those are all great organizations. Then call & write an email to the White House, your congressperson & your senator & say you want contraception back in the aid packages we give to developing nations, especially in Africa.
1
This is an excellent, heartbreaking column. What has been done to animals in Africa and Asia is inexcusable, barbaric and cruel.
11
"What has been done to the animals in Africa and Asia is inexcusable, barbaric and cruel". Yes, but what has been done to the people in these places is far, far worse. Why is there not outage and concern about what the tyrants and dictators have done to the humans? Could it be the color of their skin? For those wondering what they can do: start reading up on modern history of countries, like Zimbabwe for example, and you will begin to see the magnitude of the problem. Or you could start by insisting the the US stop the Chinese demand for animal parts for medicine, etc. China is a huge part of this problem. This is a multidimensional, world wide problem. There are no quick easy solutions.
3
The US won't do anything to help because no country in Africa has a resource for us to exploit on behalf of any campaign contributor's pocket.
That is the sad but undeniable truth.
I hope these poor creatures are somehow able to survive.
That is the sad but undeniable truth.
I hope these poor creatures are somehow able to survive.
7
In addition, how about "mobilizing massive support" for African women's access to birth control, to reduce the population pressure on the environment?
106
Christine,
It is interesting to learn that it is more important to get access to better food and medical care so that infants survive than access to birth control. Once infant mortality drops the fertility rate drops and the population stabilizes. Prior to that access to birth control is of little value. You may want to Google "The Ignorance Project" to find a lot of interesting data on economic conditions and population growth. The project title may be a bit off-putting but it is basically about the fact that most of our data about other parts of the world is obsolete or never was true. Your idea that the best way to help wildlife in Africa is to help improve living conditions for the people there is the most effective and moral approach. Without that nothing else can work.
It is interesting to learn that it is more important to get access to better food and medical care so that infants survive than access to birth control. Once infant mortality drops the fertility rate drops and the population stabilizes. Prior to that access to birth control is of little value. You may want to Google "The Ignorance Project" to find a lot of interesting data on economic conditions and population growth. The project title may be a bit off-putting but it is basically about the fact that most of our data about other parts of the world is obsolete or never was true. Your idea that the best way to help wildlife in Africa is to help improve living conditions for the people there is the most effective and moral approach. Without that nothing else can work.
7
As one of the many who was outraged at the killing of Cecil, I appreciate what you write here, but ask you please: can you give a list of the top 5 or 10 specific ways ordinary people can do the lobbying that needs to be done? Call or write to who? How often? I am happy to dedicate a set number of hours per week (say 5?) to work that will help accomplish real protection for lions and other wildlife and (like many, I am sure) I have no idea what to do. We angry tweeters need direction. We are an untapped army of supporters who care deeply but don't see a clear path in how to contribute in a useful way. Please--educate us, reach out to us, tell us "You can be most useful by doing x, y and z two times per week." Lead us and we will mobilize for this cause!
64
"Please--educate us, reach out to us, tell us ..."
You are exhibiting passive-activism.
Why don't you educate yourself, reach out to others, and tell others what you learned?
1. Google "bushmeat trade", "economy of africa", etc. (Read the article carefully for more search terms)
2. Go to your public library and continue your research with what you learned in #1.
3. Report back.
You are exhibiting passive-activism.
Why don't you educate yourself, reach out to others, and tell others what you learned?
1. Google "bushmeat trade", "economy of africa", etc. (Read the article carefully for more search terms)
2. Go to your public library and continue your research with what you learned in #1.
3. Report back.
4
Join one of nonprofit advocacy organizations like Humane Society International. They have professional leadership, strategy, administration, and organization. By joining, you can learn how to become an effective advocate. Together we can make a difference
2
Call or write your congressperson or Senator and tell them you want contraception for poor women included again in the aid we give developing countries in Africa.
3
Angry tweets won't help African lions. Same as how comments on the NYT don't change a darn thing either. Just a venting platform really.
12
Going after trophy hunting makes people feel morally superior while accomplishing little. It is much harder to feel morally superior to starving people who kill lion prey to survive. One recent example where lions are doing relatively well is in Gujarat state in India where the local population has learned to coexist with the lions but then again, India is fortunate enough to have a tax base to sustain game wardens and a culture that realizes the benefits of wildlife. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/indias-wandering-lions-full-episode/14114/
17
If the hunger of the African people doesn't move you, will you come to their rescue to save lions?
6
Michjas, liberals will. They would rather help the lions than the African people. Why? Because the privileged worldview of westerners prevents them from seeing the necessity of killing lions, which provides food, protects livestock, and raises money for conservation. Until westerners realize that their view of "zoo animals" doesn't apply to the impoverished world, they will be unwilling and unable to actually help.
Tourism is super important to Africa's economy--i.e., food for the people. There will be many, many more hungry people if Africa's lions and other wildlife disappear, because tourism will go down drastically. What will tourists go to Africa for, once the wildlife is gone?
2
Tweeting and 'outrage' on social media has become a 'piling on' mob activity where the outraged don't even remember what they were outraged about before they even tap 'send'.
6
My thoughts and prayers go out to the lions. (I'll tweet this so everybody knows I care).
7
Thanks Richard, I agree.
The root of the problem is the exponential growth, and absolute number of people on the planet. Africa is not an isolated case. There are environmental red flags on every continent. Nature needs space, vital ground. E.O Wilson suggest half of earth should be reserved undisturbed for nature. We are currently way past that, some suggesting we've consumed 90. (No, my front
yard with grass does not count as natural space!)
If people insist on maintaining a massive human population, then they need to start excepting some pretty restrictive laws to manage that massive population. Laws limiting hunting, laws restricting where people can and cannot live, work, play and travel. Laws what you can and cannot eat.
It doesn't sound like a nice world to me, where I am severely limited so as to make room for more and more people. Of course the alternative is to do too little, year by year or do nothing at all. Apparently, the majority of humans on earth don't care, and will do nothing about controlling the population. It is a sad state we find ourselves in, but it looks like the outcome of our greed, sloth, and exploding population is fairly certain.
The root of the problem is the exponential growth, and absolute number of people on the planet. Africa is not an isolated case. There are environmental red flags on every continent. Nature needs space, vital ground. E.O Wilson suggest half of earth should be reserved undisturbed for nature. We are currently way past that, some suggesting we've consumed 90. (No, my front
yard with grass does not count as natural space!)
If people insist on maintaining a massive human population, then they need to start excepting some pretty restrictive laws to manage that massive population. Laws limiting hunting, laws restricting where people can and cannot live, work, play and travel. Laws what you can and cannot eat.
It doesn't sound like a nice world to me, where I am severely limited so as to make room for more and more people. Of course the alternative is to do too little, year by year or do nothing at all. Apparently, the majority of humans on earth don't care, and will do nothing about controlling the population. It is a sad state we find ourselves in, but it looks like the outcome of our greed, sloth, and exploding population is fairly certain.
64
I can only add that we must realize wild lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, tigers, and dozens of other extraordinary species will go extinct in our lifetimes.
Our clever species is hard at work developing test-tube frankenmeats and GMO grains to satisfy our burgeoning billions, but we can't understand that a world filled with nothing but humans, rats, cockroaches and corn isn't going to work.
Our clever species is hard at work developing test-tube frankenmeats and GMO grains to satisfy our burgeoning billions, but we can't understand that a world filled with nothing but humans, rats, cockroaches and corn isn't going to work.
10
Thanks Jim, I agree, Let's figure out how to achieve a stable human population on our Home Planet before we devour everything and then fight over over the scraps. Please.
2
I disagree.
Public shaming - like the kind given to the man who brutally tortured and then killed Cecil - can be a useful tool for future deterrence of similar acts.
And even if it doesn't help, it certainly doesn't hurt, and plus it feels really good once you've hit that Submit button.
Public shaming - like the kind given to the man who brutally tortured and then killed Cecil - can be a useful tool for future deterrence of similar acts.
And even if it doesn't help, it certainly doesn't hurt, and plus it feels really good once you've hit that Submit button.
10
Actually it does hurt since trophy hunting generates (at the high end) $1100 per square kilometer according to this article. Some estimates are much higher. Eliminate trophy hunting and you make your problem exponentially worse. Liberals need to get off their high horses and instead of complaining and shaming, put their money where their mouths are. The privileged worldview of Westerners doesn't apply to Africans who are losing 25% of their income because of lions and starving to death without their "bush meat". When will western liberals wakeup and realize that the impoverished world doesn't have the luxury of viewing lions the way you do from the comfort of your air conditioned McMansion with your 70 inch plasma screen.
3
Tweeting didn't help the Nigerian girls either.
34
The Africans are killing the lions, and relentless grinding poverty is killing the Africans.
Humans worldwide seem to have an inexplicable incapability to use condoms. If they could only get the technique down, a huge dent would be made in the world's seemingly insoluble problems.