South Africa Outlaws 'Canned' Hunts

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-af/2007/feb/20/022001942.html

South Africa's environment minister announced long-awaited restrictions on hunting Tuesday, declaring he was sickened by wealthy tourists shooting tame lions from the back of a truck and felling rhinos with a bow and arrow.

Dismissing threats of legal action by the hunting industry, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said the new law would ban "canned" hunting of big predators and rhinos in small enclosures that offer them no means of escape.

In addition, lions bred in captivity would have to be released into the open for at least two years before they could be hunted. Van Schalkwyk said a previously proposed six-month delay would not give lions enough time to develop self-defense instincts.

"Hunting should be about fair chase ... testing the wits of a hunter against that of the animal," he told a press conference. "Over the years that got eroded and now we are trying to re-establish that principal."

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South Africa Finalizes Lion Hunting Laws

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2007/feb/20/022001487.html

South Africa's government announced restrictions Tuesday on the hunting of lions born and raised in captivity, overriding protests by breeders who warn they could face financial ruin and be forced to euthanize their animals.

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But a government panel has found horrific examples of abuse, including killing tranquilized animals and hunting big game with a bow and arrow, condemning them to a slow and painful death.

Van Schalkwyk said he has seen footage that shocked him: "To see people who are half drunk on the back of a truck hunting lions which are in fact tame animals is quite abhorrent."

Conservationists say lion cubs are sometimes removed from mother at birth so she will mate again quickly, and that female cubs are sometimes destroyed because the males fetch more money as "trophies."

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[Annces]

1. Great! n/t

[jilln]

2. too bad our country isn't as civilized!

[phantom power]

3. But... what will Rich White Guys do to prove their manhood to each other?

I mean, trophy wives only go so far.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. As A gun owner, I would like to suggest that all hunters should

be required to spend one season as the hunted for every four that they hunt. I love to fish, but only with lures. I figure, if I can make a piece of plastic appear inviting enough for a fish to take, it's a fair contest. I'm not sure what killing things with guns proves. If you are hunting for food, I have no problem. If you are just shooting shit cause you can, or even worse, you are shooting shit that has been raised without a defense mechanism, you are just a coward, a bully, and should have to obey my four year rule.

[Chulanowa]

5. So close...

Sooooo freaking close.

"In addition, lions bred in captivity would have to be released into the open for at least two years before they could be hunted."

Not good enough. But a start is a start. I'm just afraid it won't make it past the starting line.