THURSDAY, 3.00PM
The investigation into the “canned” lion hunting industry has been set back by death threats and intimidation of witnesses and investigators.
The practice of hunting tame or drugged lions, often in small enclosures, was first exposed by the Mail & Guardian prior to the screening of a British documentary on the subject, in which a lactating Kruger Park lioness was shown being lured away from her cubs and out of the park, before being shot by a big-paying foreign hunter.
Inspector Andre Oosthuyzen of the SA Police Service Endangered Species Protection Unit, who heads the investigation into canned lion hunting in the Northern Province, said he had received telephonic death threats and witnesses are also being intimidated. He added that those assisting the police investigation, including people involved in making the documentary on the practice, had received death threats.
Simon Trickey, one of those involved in exposing canned lion hunts, said on two occasions his car was forced off the road by unknown assailants, and that he had been told that money had been collected to hire someone to “take me out”.
Oosthuyzen said his investigation has uncovered evidence that might lead to several people being charged, not only with illegal hunting, but also fraud. He added that it had been discovered that the practice applies not only to lions, and that leopards, hyenas, other large predators and even birds were involved.
“We have come across written documentaion requesting canned lions or zoo lions. About 95% [of the hunters] are overseas clients. We are also aware that lions have been shot in the Free State and Northern Cape,” Oosthuyzen said. He added that those under investigation include members of the Professional Hunters’ Association of SA and also of the Safari Club International.