Official statement by GoXplore regarding our lion projects in South Africa
Canned Hunting
In light of recent allegations regarding some of GoXplore's volunteer projects in South Africa, GoXplore would like to publicly state that we are strongly opposed to Canned Hunting and do not and will not partner with any projects that support the Canned Hunting industry.
We find the practice of Canned Hunting as despicable as we do the hunting of wild lions in some African countries, regardless of the fact that each is legal. We have been aware of the fact that there are volunteer projects in Africa that co-operate with, or own hunting operations, since 2009 and have been extra careful in selecting projects that have lions since then. We have turned down numerous requests from parks and farms that our research indicated were questionable. We see that many of the most vocal critics of volunteering with lions do so based on the fact that they volunteered at some of these farms.
It is important however not to jump to the conclusion that this means that all volunteering projects involving the breeding of lions and allowing human contact are involved in Canned Hunting!
We currently work with 3 projects in South Africa that breed, buy and sell lions and allow human interaction with lion cubs. GoXplore has a signed contract from each of these projects specifying that they too are against Canned Hunting and do not sell animals to the Canned Hunting industry or allow any hunters on to their farms. These projects care for their animals and go out of their way to make sure they get the best care possible in terms of food, vaccines, DNA testing, enclosures and fencing. They take great offence in being accused of being a part of the Canned Hunting industry!
The projects GoXplore works with have been very transparent with us and have freely shared sensitive information about their businesses, including lists of buyers of animals. Whilst many debate the role these breeding farms play in conservation, many of the same projects they hold up as examples ofreal conservation buy their animals from these projects. We urge those considering any volunteer program to educate themselves and get full story before jumping to conclusions about any one project. Look at theproof that is presented, whether or not the authors are willing to put their name behind their allegations and consider any ulterior motives they might have. It is important to be critical not just of those running projects, but also those presenting claims to the contrary.
We also urge those judging operations like this without any evidence to carefully consider how much financial sense it would make for these projects, given the number of volunteers they receive from around the world, to have anything to do with the Canned Hunting industry. Likewise, consider the fact that it doesn't make much financial sense for any breeding farm involved in Canned Hunting to open up their farm to the scrutiny of volunteers from around the world.
As an organization that sends a number of volunteers to each of these projects, we are in the unique position that we can influence the projects to do even more, and we continue to do so behind the scenes. Similarly our position allows us to educate those considering these programs of the pros and cons and how certain programs might fit better with their goals and ideals than others. There are many challenges relating to conservation, and sadly the choice is usually between two evils rather than between a good and a bad way. We accept conservation and the environment in general to be the greatest challenge of our times and believe we can help by continuing to educate and inform. Most recently we launched this tableclarifying the differences between all our wildlife projects in one quick overview, and outlining some of the main contention points in one place.
Selling of bones
GoXplore would like to clarify some details regarding the sale of bones from one of our projects, Predator Adventure Farm (Letsatsi). Several publications have picked up on the fact that Letsatsi sold lion bones, as well as a tiger skeleton and skin between 2009 and 2012. This is correct.
Many of these publications seem to jump to the conclusion that these animals were killed solely for the purpose of exporting these bones for medicinal purposes. This is incorrect.
In 2009, 28 lions and 2 tigers got sick at the farm and 8 of these died very suddenly. A vet was called to the farm and sent samples to the lab to establish cause of death and conclude further treatment for the remaining animals. The report showed a highly infectious virus, which presented a risk to the remaining animals on the farm. To avoid the spread of the disease and the potential deaths of more animals, Letsatsi applied for the necessary permits to euthanize the remaining animals that were sick if need be. Ultimately, 11 of the 20 sick lions were euthanized and none of the two tigers. GoXplore is in the possession of both the vet's report, and the permit specifying chip numbers. The remaining animals got better after receiving treatment and Letsatsi was able to stop the spread of the virus. In each of the cases where lion bones were exported, the animals had died naturally on the farm, either due to disease, fights or old age, and GoXplore has received the documentation from the consulting vets.
Letsatsi applied for permits to be able to sell the bones of these already dead animals after a South African representing a buyer got in touch. Letsatsi received the required CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) documents and the bones were inspected by CITES at the airport before being exported. The buyer turned out to be Mr. Vixay Keosovang, widely regarded as a wildlife kingpin and head of one of the largest networks of illegal wildlife trade/trafficking. GoXplore would like to make it very clear that neither we, nor Letsatsi, have any type of partnership with this man or his network. The only connection between Letsatsi and Mr. Keosovang has been the legal export between 2009 and 2012 of some deceased lions' bones. GoXplore started working together with Letsatsi in September 2012.
The tiger skin and skeleton that were exported were to a museum for display purposes, and the tiger died on the farm of natural causes.
It makes absolutely no sense for any farm to kill an animal for the purpose of selling their skin and/or bones, as these will fetch around ¼ of the price of a live animal. It can be argued that the sale of bones of already dead animals in fact aids conservation, as the existing demand for bones is somewhat covered by these animals, instead of hunted or poached animals.
We trust that the above has provided ample insight into how we work in the selection of our projects, and the care with which we choose them and work with them. We are committed to providing travellers with the right information before they depart and helping them make a choice that fits with their ideals and goals. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Detta blev publicerat måndag 01 december 2014 kl 16:15