Great compilation video of cities marching March 15th, 2014
Tag Archives: Global March for Lions
Global March For Lions Press Release – Vancouver – 60 Cities Marching to Save Lions
Below you’ll find a press release regarding the upcoming Global March for Lions. I have also included an info sheet and poster. Please share widely. It’s important for people globally to understand how they support (often inadvertently) this heinous trade.
If you can, please join the Global March for Lions in Vancouver or in a city near you. There are marches all over the world. Find your city here. Additional and important information can be found here and here.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tessa Vanderkop
GlobalMarch4LionsYVR@gmail.com
VANCOUVER, BC
On March 15th, 2014 40 cities around the world will march to raise awareness of the plight of South Africa’s lions and to shed light on the “canned lion” hunting industry.
Canned hunting is a practice that is legal in South Africa, where lions are bred in captivity, hand reared for use in the cub petting industry, and when they’re grown and have become accustomed to human contact, are killed in an enclosure often drugged, for an enormous sum of money.
The goals of the global march are to ask the South African government to ban canned hunting; to have lions moved to the Endangered Species list; to stop the export of lion bones to China and to prohibit the import of lion trophies to USA and EU. People around the world are calling for the South African government to ban canned hunting.
The goal for the march in Vancouver is to raise awareness amongst Canadian travellers to South Africa that any time they take part as volunteers at ‘sanctuaries’ or ‘lion conservation projects” where cubs are bred and they’re encouraged to hand feed or interact with cubs or young lions, they are supporting an inhumane and cruel industry where lions are born, bred and killed in captivity. Vancouver march organizer Catherine Albertson says,
“Canadian tourists need to be aware that this highly lucrative, multi-faceted canned hunting industry is driven by demand, and part of that demand is the desire to interact with lions. This fuels the continual supply of cubs for international volunteers to hand raise and does nothing to support the wild lion population; this is a business and these lions are bred for the sole purpose of bringing is as much money, in as many ways, as possible. The African Lion is an iconic species, one that has inspired and touched the hearts of humankind throughout history.
We in Vancouver may seem far-removed from the plight of the lion in South Africa, but the decisions we make as Canadian travellers do make a difference. By joining in the Global March for Lions, we hope to raise awareness of the “life cycle” of captive bred lions, cease the unknowing international support, and assist South Africa in re-instating a ban against the canned trophy hunting of these essentially tamed lions.”
The demand for lion bones is posing an increased threat to wild lions of which only 20,000 remain. Lions will be extinct in less than twenty years if action is not taken today.
Global marches are in support of Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) and the work they do.
March Details
Date: March 15th, 2014
Time: 11:00 am
Place: Vancouver Art Gallery (North Side)
Visit: www.globalmarch4lions.org for Global March details
Join the march on Facebook
About Campaign Against Canned Hunting(CACH)
From the publication and distribution of their textbook ‘Canned Lion Hunting – a National Disgrace’ at the turn of the new millenium, Chris and Bev have become part of the conservation and animal welfare landscape in South Africa. Now formally structured as a registered wildlife charity, Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) is at the forefront of efforts to expose the harm being done by an industry whose whole business model is to make egregious cruelty to helpless animals, routine.
About Global March for Lions
On the 15th March 2014, – people in over 50 cities across the globe are marching to save lions.
The aim of the march is to raise awareness around the industry of “canned hunting”.
For a complete list of participating cities click here.
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BACKGROUNDER
CANNED HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Canned hunting is the lion farmer and trophy collector’s substitute for real hunting. It is defined as any hunt where the target animal is unfairly prevented from escaping the hunter, either by physical constraints (fencing ) or by mental constraints (hand reared, habituated to humans).
By definition, all hunts of captive – bred lions are canned hunts.
FACTS:
- Numbers of lions being captive-bred in S.A. are growing by the day. Latest estimate; 8000 – nearly three times more than the number of wild lions in S.A. Reserves, that number less than 3000.
- Foreign hunters are mostly from U.S.A. (+/-55%) or Europe (+/-40%)
- Lion farming does not fall under the Department of Agriculture but the Supreme Court has ruled that it has nothing to do with conservation, so it cannot be regulated by conservation officials either. Lion farming thus falls between two government departments. In consequence, captive predators bred for hunting purposes have no regulatory protection.
- Lion Bones are sold to known Asian crime syndicates who pay lion farmers US$1,000 for a lion carcass, which is processed in Asia and then fraudulently sold as tiger bone cake for US$70,000 per carcass (US$1000 per 100 grams).
- Approx 1,000 lions are canned hunted annually in S.A. – about 3 per day. (same as the number of poached Rhino)
WHY SHOULD THIS INDUSTRY BE BANNED?
- It is cruel. The whole business model is based on cruelty to helpless animals from birth until death. Bow hunting of tame lions is permitted in some provinces. Imagine the public outcry if farmers allowed hunters to come on to livestock farms and shoot sheep and cattle for sport?
- It is a massive and increasing threat to the survival of wild lion populations in Africa. The astronomical profits being made by the Asian profiteers out of lion bones are stimulating an increase in the price of lion bone, which will, in turn, stimulate an increase in the poaching of lions for their bones.
- This affects all lions, although it is especially an issue for the White Lions. Many lion farmers resort to inbreeding to produce a desired feature – such as that of a white coat. These breeding practices often result in severe birth defects such as hind-limb paralysis and heart problems.
- Unscrupulous S.A. lion breeders will buy ‘fresh cubs’ to bring fresh blood in to their lion stock for genetic reasons, and to ward off captivity depression. This wholesale and unscientific killing of lions has long term effects on wild prides, destroying the core pride function. Research shows that it can take as long as seven years for a lion pride to re-establish itself after the death of the trophy male.
CITES records of Trophy Hunting Imports into Canada
2007 — 8 lion trophy exports from SA to Canada (7 captive bred and 1 ‘wild’)
2008 — 20 lion trophy exports from SA to Canada (16 captive bred and 4 ‘wild’)
2009 — 23 lion trophy exports from SA to Canada (15 captive bred and 8 ‘wild’)
2010 — 7 lion trophy exports from SA to Canada (all captive bred)
2011 — 6 lion trophy exports from SA to Canada (all captive bred)
Filed under Animal Activism
People Saving Lions – Join the March in Your City Today – Rosemary Wright – A Beating Heart

Rosemary Wright has graciously allowed me to share this blog post from her wonderful animal advocacy blog A Beating Heart. Over 40 cities around the world are marching on March 15th to raise awareness and to advocate on the issue of ‘canned lion hunting’. This is a heinous practice in which lions are bred in captivity and then sold to trophy hunters to be killed in captivity. These animals are often tame and drugged. This practice is undermining the few remaining wild lions that are left. This industry is supported by tourists.
A big thanks to Rosemary for her dedicated advocacy of the world’s beautiful critters.
The Power Of Images Surpasses The Eloquence Of The Written Word
Why Participate In The International March For Lions?
The Power Of Images Surpasses The Eloquence Of The Written Word – when it comes to awakening the human heart and the global consciousness. There is no instrument more potent than images of the innocent victims. Trophy hunters are slaughtering lions in South Africa and this unwitting “marriage” of political corruption and the rich hunting lobby must be stopped.
Only a few truly wild lions are left and with 8000 beautiful lions warehoused in lion farms waiting to die – the time to act is now. This haunting black and white sequence of photographs reminds us why we must stand up and take action before these majestc big cats slip into the mist of the past and become part of the legend of the African plains.
Thank you to Lisa Ann Tekancic – a member of the Washington DC Lion March for this brillinat video. If these images do not touch your heart and inspire you to care – nothing will.
Thank you to Chris Mercer – champion extraordinaire of lions – for your tireless work.
Thank you to the organizers – the voluteers and marchers in every city around the world who heeded the call to get involved and save the lions.
Lions belong to the wind – the rain – the sunshine – the stars at night and the dew in the soft morning light.
They are not ours to kill.
Filed under Animal Activism
Global March for Lions – Full Listing of Cities Around the World Who are Marching
Why People are Marching – and the Cities Where People are Marching to Ban Canned Lion Hunting Participating Cities as of January 26th For the most up-to-date list of cities participating click here. ASIAHong Kong Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm assembly https://www.facebook.com/events/268137030004548/ AUSTRALIAAdelaide 16:00 in UTC+10:30 https://www.facebook.com/events/496273517154615/?source=1 Brisbane Melbourne 12:00 in UTC+11 https://www.facebook.com/events/734997343178806/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_ Perth, WA 9.00am-11.00am https://www.facebook.com/events/169787546565006/ Sydney 11:00am From NSW Parliament House to Town Hall. https://www.facebook.com/events/613649062033293/?source=1 Townsville – no Facebook page yet! BELGIUMBrussels 14:30 until 17:00 in UTC+01 https://www.facebook.com/events/449617725142958/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_&source=1 Also –https://www.facebook.com/events/238689319624678/ BRAZILSau Paulo https://www.facebook.com/events/408594329244368/?source=1 Rio de Janeiro 2 pm at Arpoador:
The march will be on the edge of the sea. We will march through 5 km in round 5 more miles in the back. On this day the beach is very crowded and the streets are open for recreation of the people. We’ll walk up to the Arpoador neighborhood Leblon and return to the starting point. We will meet at 2 pm at Arpoador and there we wear the masks and match performances.
https://www.facebook.com/events/639127449486869/?context=create&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming CANADACalgary, Alberta 11:30 until 13:00 in UTC-06 We will gather outside City Hall, downtown Calgary and walk down Stephen’s Avenue and back to City Hall. Ottawa 17:00 until 01:00 in EDT At THE BRASS MONKEY https://www.facebook.com/events/1412759988970557/ Toronto https://www.facebook.com/events/1414771305431155/?source=1 Vancouver BC 11:00 in PDT https://www.facebook.com/events/235061229995930/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_ COSTA RICANicoya, Guanacaste – * special private retreat event for lions! GERMANYFrankfurt https://www.facebook.com/events/668604263192464/?ref=ts&fref=ts FRANCEParis 15:00 until 17:00 in UTC+01 https://www.facebook.com/events/540943359337278/?ref=ts&fref=ts Pau 14:00 to 15:00. https://www.facebook.com/events/215904515276794/?ref=ts&fref=ts NETHERLANDSAmsterdam ISRAELTel Aviv & Jerusalem ITALYPadova 11:00 until 19:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/227190124134970/?ref=ts&fref=ts INDIA15:30
https://www.facebook.com/events/663725897018831/ KENYAMombasa 08:30 in UTC+03 https://www.facebook.com/events/606948892709383/ MALAWILilongwe Lilongwe Wildlife Centre at 9am NEW ZEALANDAuckland Western Park, Ponsonby at 1.00pm Wellington 13:00 until 14:00 PORTUGALPorto ROMANIABuhusi, Bacau 12:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/1418556248395414 SENEGALDakar SOUTH AFRICACape Town 11:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/432960136805903/?source=1 Durban 10:30 until 13:30 https://www.facebook.com/events/492598160855304/ East London, SA March Start Time: 11.00am https://www.facebook.com/events/651857634871135/?ref=ts&fref=ts George 10:45 – we gather at Unity Park Grahamstown 09:45 until 12:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/1378815795701408/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=calendar&source=1 Hoedspruit – special event for lions! Johannesburg 11:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/1442385619316696/?source=1 Nelspruit 11:00 until 13:00 Pietermaritzburg 11:00 Port Elizabeth 10:00 to 10:30 https://www.facebook.com/events/1381000722142061/?ref=ts&fref=ts Pretoria 11:00 SPAINMadrid is roaring with a big march SABADO, 15 DE MARZO, PUERTA DEL SOL, JUNTO AL OSO Y EL MADROÑO, A LAS 12:00 HORAS https://www.facebook.com/events/255804801257453/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming SWEDENStockholm 13:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/691574647540891/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_ UGANDAButogota (Rogando) Kampala UNITED ARAB EMIRATESAbu Dhabi (New location, formerly Dubai) UNITED KINGDOMThe UK has 5 cities that are marching in support of Africa’s lions – London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield and Liverpool. Our goal is to have a White Lion representation at each march to show our support and unity for this cause. In order to show our unity and support for the marches we will identify ourselves with White Lion Tshirts.
If you haven’t already decided to join one of the marches on the 15th PLEASE consider making your voice, your ROAR and your feet count – This is your chance to make a difference for lions and ultimately ALL wildlife.
If you’d like to join one of the 5 marches in the UK please contact Tracey who is co-ordinating the White Lion’s support for the marches in the UK.
Email: uk@whitelions.org
Birmingham https://www.facebook.com/events/248622171968479/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_ Edinburgh Liverpool London Sheffield UNITED STATES OF AMERICAAustin, Texas Charleston, South Carolina Chicago Columbus, Ohio Las Vegas Los Angeles · WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2014 | 11am – 2pm · WHERE: La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Front of the George C. Page Museum at the lion statue. · DETAILS: The march begins at 11am. Marchers will walk down Wilshire Blvd in a funeral procession in memory of all the murdered lions to the South African Consulate then return for a rally. The Rally begins when marchers return to the La Brea Tar Pits at appx. 12:15pm. Our rally features 4 speakers, here’s all the info you might need about it: Speakers at our rally in Los Angeles include actress and wildlife advocate Tippi Hedren, Founder and President of the ROAR Foundation and the Shambala Preserve, Martine Colette, Founder and Director of the Wildlife Waystation and designated Wild Animal Expert for the city of Los Angeles, Catherine Doyle, Director of Science Research and Advocacy at the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), and Matt Rossell, Campaigns Director for Animal Defenders International. Vaud & the Villains will provide a New Orleans-style funeral band to accompany our Lion Funeral Procession as we walk down Wilshire Blvd in memory of all the murdered lions to the South African Consulate, then return to the La Brea Tar Pits for the rally. Our Mistress of Ceremonies, actress and Animal Activist Georja Umano from Elephants LA, will speak about her many trips to Africa and give a eulogy for all the murdered lions in a funeral ceremony before our speakers begin. https://www.facebook.com/events/205630696290197/?source=1 New York Phoenix, AZ Sacramento Where: 10th St & N St. Seattle Tampa, Florida Washington DC
– See more at: http://www.globalmarch4lions.org/join-a-march-in-your-city/#sthash.0W7CbvCj.dpuf “When its time for the sun to set and you look back at your life one day – wouldn’t you be bitterly ashamed of ignoring the horrific reality of the animals or would you like to know that you tried to end the terrible suffering our species has wrought on them. ” Christine Jordaan
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Filed under Animal Activism