We must act by Monday, January 28 to make our voices heard by the U.S. administration. I urge all my readers to read the infographic below, then Sign the Petition to Department of Interior Secretary Kenneth Salazar.
Image © IFAW
I found it sordid and unbelievable that the U.S. Government still allows the importation of lions by "trophy hunters." Yet, according to IFAW's blog on Friday, January 18, 2013, "Each year, the United States imports over half of all lions captured and killed by sport trophy hunters. As the population of lions dwindles, with as few as 32,000 remaining in the wild, we have a responsibility to protect them." In Africa, Kenya, Botswana, and Zambia are in various stages of banning trophy hunting. It is embarrassing and shameful that the government of the United States still not only allows trophy hunting of wild animals in our own country, but gives tacit approval to it by continuing to allow the importation of trophy lions into the U.S.
For those rare few cat lovers who may still be unaware of the plight of the lions in Africa, a long look at the documentary film of 1965, Born Free will be an eye-opener. Just the knowledge that those magnificent cats are in more danger now than almost 40 years ago when that film was released, is simply heartbreaking. For the sake of all the cats of the world, please sign the petition.
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