Ingogo Safaris is an infamous “canned hunting” company. It raises animals in captivity for the pure purpose of allowing rich hunters to hunt and kill lions. It is hard to fathom such an industry exists, but it does. Adding to the horror of the business, the breeding farm in South Africa’s Limpopo province had 250 lions in captivity showing signs of extreme malnutrition. (1)
Photos Of Starving Lions Captured By Neighbors
The farm owner Walter Slippers places lions in enclosures making them easy targets for the heartless tourists. (1)
Photos taken by neighbors of the farm were sent to Drew Abrahamson, CEO of the Captured in Africa Foundation. “Some images surfaced about two years back when he used to have volunteers on his property,” says Abrahamson, which would have been roughly in 2014. “There were two lions in the images drinking water; they were also incredibly underweight, so I think it’s a case of neglect as a whole. You wouldn’t expect captive lions to be [so] thin that their hip bones protrude.” (1)
Starving Lions Left Unattended
At the time the images were sent, the owner allegedly used the excuse the images were old. However, Abrahamson says this is not the case. In fact, South Africa’s National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) confirmed this. According to Isabel Wentzel, manager of the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit, they found underweight lions at the farm around the time the images were sent to Abrahamson. (1, 2)
Mr. Slippers says he was unable to find helpers to care for the lions when he became hospitalized. “While I was in hospital the community helped me, I don’t have brothers or a father who could help me while I was hospital” says Slippers. (2)
Starving Lions Investigation
“What we’ve done is we’ve worked with local SPCA in Louis Trichardt, Makhado – who has visited the farm,” says Wentzel. “We’ve been to all the facilities and although not all the lions are underweight, we have issued an official warning.” (2)
Although Wentzel says there is a chance pride dynamics could play a role in the lions’ condition, their appearance indicated the lions “were not getting the correct amount of food per pride.” (2)
The NSPCA has advised Slippers to ensure he introduces a feeding regime including each pride being given the right amount of food. He also must provide vet records for each lion and expect follow up inspections. (2)
“If they refuse to do what we recommend, it could come down to criminal charges of animal cruelty, but we are nowhere near that stage as yet,” Wentzel says. (2)
PHASA Protecting Starving Lions
Luckily the canned hunting industry faces more scrutiny as stories such as these and documentaries such as Blood Lion bring the plight of the lion to light. (2)
The Professional Hunter’s Association of South Africa (PHASA) conducted a vote with the majority choosing not to participate in captive-bred lion hunting unless it can be proven it aligns with South African Predators’ Association (SAPA) conservation practices. Members are now prohibited from involvement with canned lion hunts. (2)
Ban On Lion Trophies
Another victory for animal rights, a ban has been placed on the import of lion trophies by the U.S. unless it can be proven the kill was for the purposes of conservation. This poses a great blow to the industry since 70% of the hunters visiting breeding farms are from the U.S. (2)
Protection For Starving Lions
According to Masha Kalinina, of Humane Society International, there are an estimated 200 lion breeders in South Africa with between 6,000 and 8,000 lions living in captivity at such facilities. “They’re purely bred for financial means,” she says. Meanwhile, the number of wild African lions in the world sits at less than 20,000. (3)
“It is time for attention to be brought to the breeders and hunters individually, so they cannot hide behind an industry as a whole,” Abrahamson wrote. “It’s time they face the music with regards to their exploitation.” (3)
