On Monday 25th January, the South African government decided to stop issuing any permits for hunting leopards in 2016.A hugely favourable decision for animal rights activists and animal lovers worldwide.
Source : @Maxisciences
The Department of Environmental Affairs delivered the official announcement:
Provincial conservation authorities were informed that leopard hunts should not be authorised in 2016.
Source : @SantaBanta
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), South Africa is entitled to issue 150 permits a year for the trophy-hunting of leopards destined for export. But this year,not one will be issued.
Source : @SwainDestinations
The number of leopards in the wild remains a mystery given these creatures' incredibly discreet nature and nocturnal living habits.Andrew Muir, one of the members of the local charityWilderness Foundationadded:
Until we know population numbers and carrying capacity we should not hunt them.
Source : @AfriqueduSud
Sadly though, South Africa continues to earn a substantial profitfrom selling hunting permits to rich foreigners who want to shoot a lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, or rhinoceros (one of "the big five"). These trophy hunters are willing to fork out thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars for the 'hit'.
Source : @Welweit-Jagen
According to figures from South Africa's Environment Ministry, hunting turns over6.2 billionrand every year... that's $373 million dollars.We hope this decision will be taken into effect in the following years as well, and that other species can also benefit from a ban on hunting!
Right now, over 7,000 lions are secretly being bred for the most tragic reasons
Featured image : @HuntForever
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