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PRESS RELEASE
LionAid, a leading UK charity dedicated to the conservation of lions, has been working very successfully over the past year with members of the UK and EU Parliaments to address the major issues that caused, and continue to cause, the catastrophic declines in lion populations. In the 1960’s, there were over 200,000 lions in Africa but sadly we are now down to less than 25,000, a decline of close to 90% in just 50 years.
We accept that loss of habitat and lion/human/livestock conflict issues have had a considerably negative effect on lion populations in the past. However, we now consider that lion trophy hunting is a hugely significant additive source of mortality that needs much more stringent regulation. We also recognize that disease issues continue to affect lions, especially as many of these diseases emanate from domestic animals.
As a component of our overall lion conservation plans, a conference has been scheduled among a number of African lion range states to solicit opinions for a proposal to uplist lions from CITES Appendix II to CITES Appendix I at the upcoming Conference of Parties in Thailand in 2013. This uplisting would not prevent lion trophy hunting, but could lead to better conservation measures for a species that, despite substantial declines in population numbers and geographic range, is still subject to significant trade in some regions. In addition, the conference will establish latest estimated population numbers in the represented range states, progress of National Lion Conservation Plans, and measures taken by range states that allow lion trophy hunting to ensure such trade is not affecting conservation status.
We are delighted to announce that Defra have provided LionAid with grant funding to facilitate the conference.
Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:
"Lions are disappearing across much of Africa and if we don't act soon these magnificent creatures could face extinction.
This funding is about getting together those countries that have lions in the wild, to find a way to ensure these extraordinary animals are given the level of protection they need"
The conference will be held in Johannesburg on the 29th and 30th March 2012 and we have invited delegates from Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Eleven countries have already confirmed their attendance.
This conference will enable forward-thinking range states to evaluate considered conservation programmes for African lions to better ensure their future survival. The continued decline in lions must be halted, and a forthright discussion of how to implement new ways forward is urgent and necessary.
Fiona O’Donnell, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said:
“I would like to congratulate LionAid for their work in highlighting the devastating impact of trophy hunting on Lion populations and for gaining the funding to host a conference to put in place much greater protections.
“This is a real opportunity for African Lion range states to work together to ensure the long-term survival of Lions and clamp-down on the abhorrent trade in Lion trophies.”
For more information, please contact us by email (info@lionaid.org). You can donate to LionAid here.
Picture credit : Chris Harvey
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