LionAid Campaigns

Following a very successful and landmark LionAid conference on the conservation needs and status of African lions in Johannesburg on the 29th and 30th March, we are delighted to now publish the Action Plans agreed by the delegates.

The Management and Scientific Authorities of seven African lion range States attended as follows:
Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Senegal.

We now very much look forward to working with all these African lion range States to initiate regional and pan-African lion conservation measures to halt current catastrophic population declines in this iconic species.

Click here to access the Action Plans.

                                                     PRESS RELEASE

LionAid, a leading UK charity dedicated to the conservation of lions, has been working very successfully over the past year with members of the UK and EU Parliaments to address the major issues that caused, and continue to cause, the catastrophic declines in lion populations. In the 1960’s, there were over 200,000 lions in Africa but sadly we are now down to less than 25,000, a decline of close to 90% in just 50 years.

We accept that loss of habitat and lion/human/livestock conflict issues have had a considerably negative effect on lion populations in the past. However, we now consider that lion trophy hunting is a hugely significant additive source of mortality that needs much more stringent regulation. We also recognize that disease issues continue to affect lions, especially as many of these diseases emanate from domestic animals.

 
As a component of our overall lion conservation plans,  a conference has been scheduled among a number of African lion range states to solicit opinions for a proposal to uplist lions from CITES Appendix II to CITES Appendix I at the upcoming Conference of Parties in Thailand in 2013. This uplisting would not prevent lion trophy hunting, but could lead to better conservation measures for a species that, despite substantial declines in population numbers and geographic range, is still subject to significant trade in some regions. In addition, the conference will establish latest estimated population numbers in the represented range states, progress of National Lion Conservation Plans, and measures taken by range states that allow lion trophy hunting to ensure such trade is not affecting conservation status.

We are delighted to announce that Defra have provided LionAid with grant funding to facilitate the conference.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:

"Lions are disappearing across much of Africa and if we don't act soon these magnificent creatures could face extinction.

This funding is about getting together those countries that have lions in the wild, to find a way to ensure these extraordinary animals are given the level of protection they need"

The conference will be held in Johannesburg on the 29th and 30th March 2012 and we have invited delegates from Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and  Kenya. Eleven countries have already confirmed their attendance.

 This conference will enable forward-thinking range states to evaluate considered conservation programmes for African lions to better ensure their future survival.  The continued decline in lions must be halted, and a forthright discussion of how to implement new ways forward is urgent and necessary.

Fiona O’Donnell, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 
 “I would like to congratulate LionAid for their work in highlighting the devastating impact of trophy hunting on Lion populations and for gaining the funding to host a conference to put in place much greater protections.  
 “This is a real opportunity for African Lion range states to work together to ensure the long-term survival of Lions and clamp-down on the abhorrent trade in Lion trophies.”

For more information, please contact us by email (info@lionaid.org). Click on the link for Donations

Picture credit : Chris Harvey

Please click on this link to see a country by country assessment of lion trophy hunting for African nations that permit(ed) the practice. This is the most up-to-date analysis, and includes CITES export numbers, threat assessments for lion populations in each country, a summary statement for each country, and a conclusion on trophy hunting offtake.

Please bring this report to the attention of members of Congress, Senators, Members of Parliaments, and Members of European Parliament who represent you. It is a document that all decision makers need to see to end lion sport hunting. We need your active participation to circulate this report. Thank you.

Picture Credit : Chris Harvey

LionAid is a small but very effective charity.  In Africa, lions have suffered catastrophic declines in the wild from an estimated 200,000 animals in the 1960’s to fewer than 25,000 remaining today. In India, an isolated remnant has perhaps 400 individuals left.

 There are many causes for this huge decline in African lions but we consider that lion sport hunting is a hugely significant additive source of mortality that needs to be immediately stopped before we can turn our attention to any other big issues that have caused declines.

 There are now only around 2,500 adult male lions left in Africa and yet around 650 lion trophies (the vast majority of which are adult males) are LEGALLY exported every year.

 We are currently working on a concerted campaign to bring about a ban on the importation of lion trophies into the EU. Whilst the goal of stopping lion trophy hunting worldwide is the ultimate aim, we know well that the exporting countries and hunting operators will be putting up very stiff resistance to such moves. But as with the ivory trade, the importing countries need to take a rigid stance and acknowledge that lion sport hunting is not sustainable.

 Once we secure this European ban, there will be enormous pressure put on the USA (importing over 60% of hunting trophies) and on CITES (the regulatory agency) to follow suit so that a worldwide ban will become an achievable objective.

 We are working with the UK and EU Governments and have so far gained the cooperation of 8 MEPs and 29 MPs across all the main political parties. In November 2010 we achieved a debate on lions in the UK Parliament and have had two written questions about lion conservation tabled to the EU Parliament (with more pending). We are now in further discussions with both the former and current Shadow Undersecretaries of State for Environment, and well as Minister Richard Benyon, current Undersecretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.

 We are delighted that we have now been invited by Catherine Bearder MEP to discuss options face to face with the European Commissioner for Environment in Brussels, and the EU Intergroup for Animal Welfare and Conservation. We will also contact the President of the Parliament. All to gain the inevitable and predicted support of the other 26 EU member nations or at least a majority of them to achieve a lion trophy import ban across the European Union.

 Time is very much of the essence for lions, and we believe our progress over the past year has been greatly positive.

 As a Charity we depend on your donations, and in terms of lion conservation, we can assure you they will be conscientiously used to ensure the future survival of this iconic species. To add your support to this highly effective campaign and to donate, please visit our website www.lionaid.org  or email us on info@lionaid.org .

Kenya and Namibia were recently awarded the highly responsible position of chairing a CITES Periodic Review of African lions. LionAid has already written UK MPs and MEPs to urge them to support this initiative by insisting that only the highest quality information be used to evaluate population numbers remaining, and not to allow inclusion of vested –interest group inventions. LionAid also felt it would be useful for citizens of many nations concerned about lion sport hunting to write to their Kenya delegations to express support for the Periodic Review, to ask the Kenya Government to consider all aspects of lion biology in the Review, and to resist the use of data invented to promote trophy hunting.  As just a single example, a lion survey conducted by vested interests has now said there are 2,700 lions in Mozambique compared to more careful data that puts the population at slightly over 1,200.

Please take a few minutes to send a letter to your country’s Kenya delegation to express your concern that the Periodic Review is undertaken carefully. It will mean a lot for the conservation of remaining lions. You can find a template letter here and the email address  here:
If there is no Kenya delegation in your country, please select the one in the nation closest to you.
And please inform us at chris@lionaid.org if you receive replies!
Thank you!

KENYAN CONSULATES/EMBASSIES/HIGH COMMISSIONS   
   
Country/City/Consulate/Embassy/High Commission/Email

Australia Canberra Consulate khc-canberra@kenya.asn.au
Austria Vienna Embassy kenyarep-vienna@aon.at
Belgium Brussels Embassy info@kenyabrussels.com 
Botswana Gabarone Consulate Kenya@info.bw
Burundi Bujumbura Embassy information@kenyaembassy.bi
Canada Ottawa Consulate jbahemuka@mfa.go.ke
China Beijing Embassy kenrepbj@hotmail.com
Congo (Democratic Republic) Kinshasa Embassy kenem-drc@jobantech.cd
Denmark Stockholm Embassy kenya.embassy@telia.com
Egypt Cairo Embassy info@kenemb-cairo.com
Ethiopia Addis Ababa Consulate kengad@telecom.net.et
Finland Stockholm Embassy kenya.embassy@telia.com
France Paris Embassy paris@amb-kenya.fr
Germany Berlin Embassy office@kenyaembassyberlin.de
Hungary Vienna Embassy kenyarep-vienna@aon.at
Iceland Stockholm Embassy kenya.embassy@telia.com
India New Delhi Consulate info@kenyamission-delhi.com
Indonesia Kuala Lumpur Embassy kenya@po.jaring.my
Iran Tehran Embassy abbas@mfa.go.ke
Ireland Dublin Embassy info@kenyaembassyireland.net
Israel Tel Aviv Embassy kenya7@netvision.net.il
Italy Rome Embassy kenroma@rdn.it
Japan Tokyo Embassy general@kenyarep-jp.com
Kuwait Al-surra Embassy info@kenyaembkuwait.com
Libya Tripoli Embassy Kenya_embass_ly@yahoo.uk
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Consulate admin@kenyahigh.org.my
Morocco Cairo Embassy info@kenemb-cairo.com
Namibia Windhoek Consulate kenyanet@mweb.com.na
Netherlands The Hague Embassy info@kenyanembassy-nl.com
New Zealand Canberra High Commission kenrep@austarmetro.com.au
Nigeria Abuja High Commission kenyahi@alpha.lindserve.com
Pakistan Islamabad Consulate kenreppk@apollo.et.pk
Philippines Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kenya@po.jaring.my
Russia Moscow Embassy moscow@mfa.go.ke
Saudi Arabia Riyadh Embassy Kenya@shaheer.net.sa
Serbia & Montenegro Paris Embassy paris@amb-kenya.fr
Singapore New Delhi High Commission kenredel@ndf.vsnl.net.in
Slovakia Vienna Embassy kenyarep-vienna@aon.at
South Africa Pretoria Consulate kenrep@mweb.co.za
Spain Madrid Embassy info@kenyaembassyspain.es
Sudan Juba Consulate keconju@yahoo.co.uk
Sudan Khartoum Embassy kenemb@yahoo.com
Sweden Stockholm Embassy Kenya.embassy@telia.com
Switzerland Geneva Embassy mission.kenya@ties.itu.int
Tanzania Dar-es-Salaam Consulate khc@raha.com
Thailand Kuala Lumpur Embassy kenya@po.jaring.my
Uganda Kampala Consulate kenyaahicom@africaonline.co.ug
United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Embassy Kenyarep@emirates.net.ae
United Kingdom London Consulate kcomm45@aol.com
United States Washington Embassy information@kenyaembassy.com
United States Los Angeles Consulate los_angeles@mfa.go.ke
Zambia Lusaka Consulate kenhigh@zmnet.zm
Zimbabwe Harare Consulate kenhicom@africaonline.co.zw

Your Excellency:

At a recent (July 18-22) meeting of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) Animals Committee in Geneva, Kenya and Namibia were awarded the highly responsible assignation to conduct a CITES Periodic Review of African lions.

The results of the Periodic Review will be presented to the next CITES Conference of Parties in Thailand in 2013. Periodic Reviews have been established to allow for objective assessments of the proper categorization of species of concern in terms of the various CITES Appendices. African lions are currently on CITES Appendix II, meaning that lions are in theory subjected to careful assessment of the impact of commercial trade on their conservation status.

As you are doubtless aware, lion population numbers are in freefall decline across Africa. While there are many reasons for such declines, including loss of habitat and conflict with humans and livestock, additional mortality factors such as those involved with the commercial trade in lions (notably sport hunting) should be immediately removed. This can only come about if lions are placed on CITES Appendix I.

I believe this is the proper listing for lions for a number of additional reasons:

• There has been a drastic increase in rhino and elephant poaching. It is estimated about 100 elephants are poached daily, and over the last two years about 620 rhinos have been poached, largely in South Africa. There is growing evidence that lions are also involved in the resurgence of poaching, largely to supply the growing demand for lion bones from the Asian Traditional Medicine market. Lion bones have risen in price from $10/kg in 2008 to over $300/kg in 2010. “Legal” exports of lion bones from South Africa to Laos have already amounted to 600kg over the past two years.

• Recent genetic studies have shown that lions in western Africa are genetically more similar to Asiatic lions than those in southern and eastern Africa. It is estimated that there are about 800 of these highly genetically distinctive lions remaining in western Africa, and recent ground surveys have shown no lions remaining in 10 of 12 locations where they were thought to occur in 2002 and 2006. Western African lions should therefore be immediately declared regionally endangered, and trophy hunting in Cameroon and Burkina Faso should cease.

• Due to lion reproductive parameters (including the occurrence of infanticide when incoming males take over prides) this is a species that cannot be sustainably utilized. Lion biology, though well understood, has been consistently ignored in assessments of impact of trophy hunting.

• Despite their powerful image, lions are a fragile species. Virtually all adult lions are infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus in our species. This renders lions extremely susceptible to a variety of diseases introduced by domestic animals. In 1993/1994 well over a thousand lions died in the Serengeti/Mara due to an outbreak of canine distemper spread by domestic dogs around the protected areas. Currently, bovine tuberculosis is spreading rapidly and with fatal effect among lions in Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gonorezou National Park in southern Zimbabwe.

Kenya already proposed an uplisting of lions to CITES Appendix I in 2004. Kenya accepted then, as a compromise, that range states should conduct urgent reviews of their lion populations and formulate national plans for the conservation of this species. Little result has been achieved, and vested interest groups have sought to influence range states with greatly inflated population numbers. These “surveys” have not been accepted as valid by the scientific community and therefore remain unpublished in peer-reviewed journals. They are an attempt to convince range states, the IUCN, and CITES that trophy hunting should continue.

I support the UK Charity LionAid (www.lionaid.org)  in encouraging that Kenya is able to conduct this Periodic Review in an environment free of undue influence from these vested interest groups.
 

I understand that LionAid is in discussion with Members of the European Parliament to highlight their concerns about the objectivity of past decisions.
I would urge Kenya to resist the inclusion of any reports on lion numbers that do not satisfy the rigorous demands of scientific credibility while Kenya conducts the CITES Periodic Review.

I apologize for the length of this letter. I would in closing urge you to consider Kenya’s Coat of Arms. Two lions are prominent, and on the scroll below is written “Harambee”. I would like to assure you that harambee will be not be lacking from us to ensure the realization of Kenya’s highly important role in the continued existence of an African iconic species.

With best wishes to you and all citizens of Kenya

(name)

We now have 28 MPs and 7 MEPs who are supporting our campaign to bring about a ban on the importation of lions into the UK/EU. 3 of these MEPs came on board this August. The latest MEP to join us, Sharon Bowles, has also signed our online petition and “fully support (s) LionAid’s campaign to bring a stop to this barbaric and archaic sport”

This is building well.

Have you signed our petition yet?

Dear MEP,

Lion trophy hunting is a major contributory factor in the continued decline of the species. There are established means in place within the EC Wildlife Trade Regulations to ban the further import of lion trophies, and if enacted, would constitute a significant measure to abate further declines in lion populations. I support this initiative by the UK Charity LionAid, and hope you will lend it your support as well.

There is an established means of supporting the action through Regulation 338/97.  As a first step, please contact MEPs Mr Keith Taylor (South East), Ms Linda McAvan (Yorkshire and the Humber),Catherine Bearder (South East England)  and Sharon Bowles (South East England), all of whom are actively supporting  the LionAid initiative.

Linda has already  tabled a Parliamentary Question to the European Commission about the decline in lion populations and  Catherine has also tabled a second question on “personal effects” derogation. (see below).

A parallel debate in the EU Parliament to that Andrew Turner MP (Isle of Wight) achieved in Westminster would be both beneficial and conducive to progress. Eventually, LionAid would like to see the issue discussed by the Scientific Review Group of the WTR to explore the possibility of a negative opinion for all lion trophy imports. LionAid, with your positive support, could begin to address the issue in a very effective manner.

Another issue to be resolved is the currently applicable abrogation of import permits for “personal effects” that extends to hunting trophies. This provision was first inserted into Regulation 1808/2001. Since then, the provision has attracted concerns over its possible conservation impact. Some NGOs sought its deletion from the draft Regulation that became Regulation 865/2006 but neither the Commission nor the Member States agreed at that time. The concern arises because it can happen that the SRG forms a negative opinion on scientific grounds but the main type of specimens in trade can still be freely imported as personal effects. For example, the current negative opinion for African Lion, Panthera leo, from Ethiopia cannot be enforced.

Background

As an MEP, you are both privileged and responsible to represent our constituencies on issues that relate to the UK and the world community. As you might be aware, Andrew Turner MP recently (November 17th, 2010) presented a Members’ Debate in Parliament on the issue of lion conservation and specifically lion trophy hunting (Hansard 518:73, 315WH-320WH). Mr Turner mentioned that continued trophy hunting pressure on remaining African lion populations (20,000 remaining in scattered locations from an estimated 200,000 fifty years ago) is highly detrimental to the conservation status of the species. He based his opinion on scientific reports concerning the impact of trophy hunting on lion populations in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. In addition, CITES figures indicate very high levels of export of a limited component of the population (adult and subadult males) from a species already in rapid decline. Such high and specific levels of offtake severely compromise reproduction of populations occurring in both protected and unprotected areas and are not sustainable. Mr Turner requested an intercession with whatever assistance the UK Government could provide. Minister Richard Benyon received the debate, and promised further action.

Progress

Subsequently, the Minister has requested further information from Tanzania as to the sustainability of trophy hunting in light of the overall precipitous decline in lion numbers, and if his officials judged that the reply was not satisfactory, the matter would then taken up with CITES that currently lists lions on Appendix II.

As you know, the UK is a minor importer of hunted lion trophies, but the European Union as a whole is a major destination. At present, trophy hunting of lions does not comply with many stipulations of Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 concerning the EC Wildlife Trade Regulation (WTR). Specifically, lion trophy hunting is NOT:

• Based on sound biological data collected from the target population(s);
• Demonstrably sustainable in terms of harvest levels;
• Monitored by professional biologists;
• Modified if necessary to maintain conservation aims;
• Producing significant and tangible conservation benefits for the species;
• Providing benefits to, or being in cooperation with, local people living with lions, or suffering from the presence of lions.

The WTR deals with the protection of wild fauna and flora by regulating the trade in such species within the EU. With a system of four Annexes, the Regulation lays down provisions for import, export, and re-export as well as internal trade in species. The EC generally follows CITES recommendations, but Member States can go beyond CITES in a number of respects. For example, import conditions for species listed in WTR Annexes A and B (roughly equivalent to CITES Appendices I and II) can be stricter than those of CITES.

There is also a possibility under the WTR to upgrade a CITES Appendix II species (regulated trade) to WTR Annex A (no trade within the EU). Precedents to afford greater protection for certain species within the WTR have been established.

Overall, the process towards establishing an import restriction for lion trophies into the EU is straightforward and there are many levels at which input is requested to facilitate an informed opinion. The most significant advantage, however, is that the process is scientifically guided and not as prone to the political lobbying characterizing CITES decisions. Among other advantages are the regular meeting schedules of the Scientific Review Group established under Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 (3-4 times per year instead of once every three years for CITES), the immediate and tangible benefits of removing a significant contributory factor to the decline of lion populations, and also, the important message that could be sent worldwide.

There are presently 28 UK MPs supporting this issue brought by Mr Turner and the UK charity LionAid, and the number is growing, plus 8 UK MEPs.  It is an indication of the effectiveness of a parliamentary debate.

I would be very pleased to hear back from you about this important issue, and for further information please contact LionAid Trustee, Christine Macsween, directly at chris@lionaid.org

All best regards,

 Dear [insert MP name]

 I am writing to you today to bring your attention to an issue that I consider to be of prime importance - the catastrophic decline in the African Lion populations.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the World Bank co-hosted the International Forum on Tiger Conservation  last year, bringing together the leaders of the 13 Tiger range states to discuss what could be the best and last chance to save the wild Tiger.

Since that time, continuing investment and efforts are being directed at rescuing the wild tiger from extinction.

 However, unless concerted and dedicated action can be taken in the near future, the current precipitous decline in African Lion populations might well necessitate a similar meeting for Lions within the next five years. The charity LionAid is actively campaigning to remove a significant source of lion mortality by banning the import of Lion trophies into the UK and indeed the EU.

 On the 17th November, Andrew Turner, the MP for the Isle of Wight presented a Private Members’ Debate (in Westminster Hall) entitled “Government policy on Lion trophies and the protection of Lions”. A positive response was delivered by the Assistant Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Mr Richard Benyon, who said “The Government has set out to be the greenest ever, and we carry that ethos into our international dealings”.

The transcript of the 17 November debate can be found here:
 
 
 
To date the following Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament have either expressed their support for the issue and/or are following the debate closely:
Richard Benyon -  The Minister taking the Debate forward
Andrew Turner – who introduced the Private Members’ Debate
 James Arbuthnot, Catherine Bearder (MEP), Henry Bellingham, David Blunkett, Sharon Bowles (MEP), Ronnie Campbell, Nick Clegg, Damian Collins, Oliver Colville, Mary Creagh, Mike Crockart, Caroline Dinenage, Charlie Elphicke, Graham Evans, Roger Gale, David Hanson, Margot James, Mark Lancaster, Pauline Latham, Oliver Letwin, Caroline Lucas, Linda McAvan (MEP), Edward Miliband, Robert Neill, Fiona O’Donnell, Bob Russell, Gavin Shuker, Keith Taylor (MEP), Laura Sandys, Keith Vaz.

 In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg had this to say in reply to a constituent:

 “ I can assure you that my colleagues and I do take this matter very seriously…..the Government will raise questions with the exporting countries we have concerns with and support tighter controls on trophy hunting.”       
 
 It seems to me that we should all be doing everything we can to protect the African Lion now in its hour of need and I believe this is an issue that will have overwhelming support from people everywhere. I certainly support this issue and I would ask you if I can count on your backing for this very important initiative by LionAid that is very much in line with resolutions formulated and accepted by the UK at the recent Convention on Biodiversity in Nagoya, Japan.

Kind regards,