Cecil’s shadow haunts Africa’s captive lions

The slaying of Cecil, a protected Zimbabwean lion, sparked outrage and debate around the world. But on the annual celebration of World Lion Day, held August 10, animal rights campaigners are using Cecil’s story to illustrate what they say is a tragic truth: Cecil was one of the lucky ones. During his 13-year life, the […]

The slaying of Cecil, a protected Zimbabwean lion, sparked outrage and debate around the world.
But on the annual celebration of World Lion Day, held August 10, animal rights campaigners are using Cecil’s story to illustrate what they say is a tragic truth: Cecil was one of the lucky ones.
During his 13-year life, the majestic black-maned Cecil roamed free in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, running a pride and fathering eight cubs.
That sort of life was becoming increasingly rare in neighboring South Africa, said London-based advocacy group World Animal Protection. More than two-thirds of this nation’s lions live in captivity – the group estimates they number about 5,800, and the number is rising.
Lions may look happy and cute, but Kate Nustedt, the group’s director of wildlife said that behind the scenes, their lives were miserable.
The organization said it has documented cruel practices at some facilities. Cubs are taken from their mothers early. Then they are typically punished using pain and fear to curb aggression. They are often kept in small enclosures and poorly fed. Additionally, campaigners said, constant human interaction stressed them out.