Synopsis
In the open wilderness of Africa, there are only 20.000 lions living a free life. Humans have killed hundreds of thousands in the last decades – mostly for purely hunting purposes. In the last couple of years, a new industry has developed called the canned hunting. After 4-5 years of breeding, young lions are shot in special areas, after which tourists pay up to 40.000 USD for the corpse of the dead male lion.
A real industry developed in South Africa – lion cubs are used in petting zoos, bones of the animals are exported to Asia for so-called medical “purposes.”
Figures of more than 10.000 lions in captivity being targets for future canned hunting are supposed to be real these days.
We want to open public eyes on these industries using big cat lives for money making. With investigative means, hidden cameras, we will try to get in touch with the people behind these intrigues.
First and foremost we want to stress the work of FOUR PAWS to save and protect big cats worldwide. As part of FOUR PAWS’ work for wild animals in captivity, the organization focuses on the situation of big cats in zoos, in private captivity, and in the entertainment industry.
First successful action took place in 2002, when four lion cubs used for taking photos with tourists were sent from Romania to a sanctuary in South Africa. Ever since then, FOUR PRAWS has increasingly stepped in more on this issue and has undertaken research in several countries in order to collect information about the conditions and numbers of big cats in captivity. In November 2007, the first transfer or “rescue action” with two lions from Romania, and ten lions from Austria took place.
In the meantime the Big Cat Sanctuary LIONSROCK in South Africa is now home to more than 90 big cats. Furthermore, FOUR PAWS concentrate on collecting more information on big cats around the world and will increase its network with other big cat sanctuaries and big cat experts.
Film Information
Director(s): Andreas Knuffmann
Release: 2016
Runtime(s): 76, 53
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Non-exclusive, territory/rights restrictions. Please contact for details.