We all love taking selfies. But it becomes a cherry on the cake situation when we get a chance to click a photo with a picturesque location in the backdrop. How about clicking a selfie with the king of the jungle? Sounds exciting, right?
Many tourists who visit zoo and wildlife sanctuaries look for the golden chance to click a picture with lion and other wild animals. But a picture with them might cost them too much sometimes, so much so that they remain unconscious and squalid for days!
National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has charged a South African lion breeding farm under ‘snuggle scam’. 108 lions from the farm were spotted in pitiful conditions. The majestic cats were found in extremely squalid and foul conditions at the farm.
These animals were reportedly bred in the Pienika fam for export and trade of their flesh and bones in the export market. The Pienika farm is owned by Jan Steinman, a member of the council of the South African Predator Association (SAPA). They also stand for responsible hunting, reports The Independent.
“We don’t believe they are being used to populate other farms, it is more likely they are being sold for hunting and bone trade,” said Douglas Wolhuter, manager at the NSPCA Wildlife Protection Unit.
Audrey Delsink, Wildlife Director at Humane Society International/Africa, said, “South Africa’s captive lion breeding industry is a vicious cycle of exploitation, from cradle to grave. Lion cubs are ripped from their mothers at just a few days old, to be hand-reared by paying volunteers from countries around the world such as the United Kingdom, who are misled into believing the cubs are orphans.”
“The cubs are exploited their whole lives, first as props by paying tourists looking for selfie shots whilst petting or bottle-feeding the animals, then later as part of ‘walking with lion’ safaris,” reports Mail Online.
Two lion cubs who were unable to walk found at Pienika Farm were found to be suffering from a neurological condition. The tigers, lions and leopards in this shelter were found living in small enclosures with inadequate shelter in filthy and parasitic conditions and no provision of water.
The king of the jungle residing in such a pitiful condition is certainly heartbreaking. We hope the animal welfare looks into the matter and make conditions worth living for the animals soon!