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.
Did you know, that it is still perfectly legal to shoot a lion for fun in several African Countries (talking about Trophy Hunting), despite the fact, that there are probably less than 20,000 Lions left in the Wild and that Lion numbers are still in free fall decline? Despite the fact, that Trophy Hunting outside small fenced and managed Game Farms has proofed to be economically useless and utterly destructive for Lion Populations? While it is a fact that Trophy Hunting has almost zero positive impact on Human Wildlife Conflict and Poaching? It is a disgusting reality!
The picture above is showing "Blackie" out on the plains in the Maasai Mara just two month ago.
"Blackie" is a 11-12 year old Male Lion. Many self claimed Lion Conservationists & Researchers (e.g. from WWF or Panthera), many African Leaders (responsible for Wildlife & Tourism in their respective countries), all involved people in the Global Hunting Industry (Outfitters, Professionell Hunters and Lobbyists) would argue: Blackie should have been hunted down several years ago already. Why?
The argumentation is the following:
- Male Lions beyong 6 years of age have concluded on their productive life span, they are old and can be taken out without negative impact on the Lion Population
- Shooting a Male Lion will deliver significant amount of money which can be re-invested into Lion Conservation (e.g. paying the rural communities for tolerating Lions and to compensate them for Lifestock Losses)
Well, a Male Lion Hunt will deliver (depending on Country) something between 20,000 - 50,000 $ for the Host Country (Trophy Fee, Bed Night Fees, Taxidermist, Transportation, Taxes etc.). Only a minor part of this money will ever reach the rural communities. A living lion over his/her lifespan (10-12 years on average) will deliver 3-5 mill. $ out of photographic tourism and therefore those lions living in tourism attractive areas will easily compensate for those lions living in rough and less scenic areas. As mentioned above, Trophy Hunting is economically useless.
Let's have a look at the other argument: are Male Lions older than 6 years beyong their prime and no longer important for the health of a Lion Population? That is complete nonsense! "Blackie" is a good example:
- "Blackie" and his 3 brothers/coalition partners showed up mid of 2009 in the Mara Triangle; they came in from the Serengeti along with the migratory herds; all 4 were young nomadic males 4-5 years old; almost certainly they never had a chance to successfully mate and to sire cubs before
- "Blackie" and his 3 partners tried to settle down and to take over a Lion Pride in the Triangle; they had to compete against a coalition of 6 Male Lions (the famous Notches); it took them almost a year to take over the Mugoro Pride (one of them vanished during the confrontations with the Notches, as well as one of the Notches); "Blackie" was 5-6 years old when he started breeding
- two years later "Blackie" and one of his coalition partners (Lipstick) crossed the Mara River and first took over the Paradise Pride and later the Rekero and the Rekero Breakaway Pride; they left the Mugoro Pride for good, but 3 of their offspring made it to adulthood and survived the take over by the 4 Oloololo Males (the third member of "Blackies" coaltion vanished in the process of the takeover)
- another year later the 4 Musketeers (the Marsh Pride Males) started to challenge "Blackie & Lipstick"; this process lasted about a year; "Blackie" & "Lipstick" lost all 3 prides to the Musketeers but claimed one back (the Rekero Pride); 4-6 of their offspring from the Paradise Pride and Rekero Breakaway Pride made it to adulthood; "Blackie" & "Lipstick" were now 9-10 years old
- another year later, mid of 2015, they were the proud fathers of 13 youngsters with the Rekero Pride, when the 4 Musketeers again challenged them and at some point they left the Rekero Pride (3-5 of the Rekero Youngsters are still alive) only to take over the Topi Plains Pride (who had been left for good by the 4 Musketeers)
- today "Blackie" & "Lipstick" are the proud fathers of 4 youngsters with 2 females from the Topi Plains Pride and have recently mated with another 2 lionesses, at the age of 11-12 years; so far they successfully protect the territory against other males and coalitions
"Blackie's" vita is not an exception, it is rather common that Male Lions only start breeding at the age of 4-6 years, that Male Lions lose a pride to other lions just to take over another pride. There are countless examples of Male Lions beyong 10 years of age being successful Pride Males.
ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - B - THE LION (Panthera leo)
