There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Beverly Joubert: " Many emotions are stirred when staring into the eyes of a lion. For some – like the farmers who live alongside these animals – it’s a feeling of fear and dread for their safety and that of their livestock. Others see opportunity – a chance to harvest the animals for their bones or skin to feed a grisly illegal market. For many, a close-up lion encounter evokes excitement and further instills in them a sense of respect for these vital predators.
I see hope in the eyes of lions. Hope that we can one day overcome the burgeoning threats that are pushing the species towards extinction; hope that Africa’s wild spaces will once again be home to a significant number of these big cats rather than the 20-odd thousand that remain today; hope that lions will not lose their resilience in the face of a cruel world; and hope that we will always be able to look into the eyes of lions and know that they are safe. "