August 10th marks the celebration of Lion Day, a day meant to bring awareness to the struggles faced by lions in the wild and in captivity.
In the last century, the lion population has drastically decreased due to hunting and human activity. From an estimated 200,000 wild lions at the beginning of the century, the number has now dropped to around 23,000. Lions mainly survive in well-protected national parks in Africa.
On the other hand, South Africa is not only home to a significant population of wild lions but also has a large captive lion industry. With approximately 8,000 captive lions in commercial farms, these animals are used to entertain tourists, with some even being killed for sport by visitors from Western countries.
The industry generates millions of dollars annually for the South African economy, with hunting safaris costing from $4,000 to $60,000. Despite international pressure to end the industry, lion hunting remains legal in the country, with the bones of hunted lions being sold for profit.
As we celebrate Lion Day, it is important to shed light on the plight of these majestic creatures and support efforts to protect them from exploitation and extinction.
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