Walk away from lion walks this World Lion Day

Today is World Lion Day, and in an effort to conserve these kings of the jungle, Intrepid Travel is urging tourists to walk away from lion walks and ‘orphan’ cubs at the hundreds of conservation centres believed to fuel the multi-million dollar canned hunting industry in Africa.

Intrepid Travel has long been involved in animal-welfare in the tourism industry, becoming the first tour operator in the world to end elephant rides in 2014. Now the Melbourne-based adventure travel company makes another Australian first, signing a pledge that commits the company to actively work towards the end of exploitation of lions by the tourism industry.

Led by the filmmakers behind the heart-breaking 2015 documentary ‘Blood Lions’, the ‘Born to Live Wild’ campaign aims to raise awareness of the realities behind the cub-petting and lion ‘orphanage’ industry.

In South Africa alone, around 800 lions are shot in canned hunts each year with many of the people operating South Africa’s 200 or more captive breeding facilities doing so under the guise of conservation and research.

Intrepid Travel Co-founder, Geoff Manchester warns that while it might seem like fun to pet lion cubs or walk with lions, this is not only stressful for the animals involved, it’s actually contributing to a hunting industry that has made it very easy for anyone with money to kill for a few thrills and an ego boost.

“Intrepid has never offered any of these activities, but many travellers do want to walk with or pet lions. They are animal lovers with the best of intentions, so it’s up to us to raise awareness of the terrible conditions that these lions are held in just so tourists can have these experiences. The truth is that wild animals belong in the wild, and this exploitation of lions in Africa for entertainment needs to stop,” Manchester said.

By signing the Born To Live Wild pledge, Intrepid Travel and sister-brands Peregrine Adventures and Geckos Adventures commit to the following:

To not knowingly book or otherwise support any breeder or operator that contributes to the cycle of breeding, exploitation and senseless killing of predators. This includes all petting and ‘walking with lion’ facilities.
To continue our support and promotion of the formal conservation community in their endeavours to secure the survival of Africa’s predators in the wild. Without wild lions and other predators extant in functioning ecosystems, there will be no African tourism industry – a calamitous situation for many economies.
To continue in our own endeavours towards wildlife conservation and economic development wherever we operate across Africa.
To continue supporting an ethical and responsible interaction with Africa’s wilderness and wild animals.
To continue promoting Africa as an authentic, wild and rewarding tourism destination.

For more information about the pledge and the captive lion industry, visit: http://www.bloodlions.org/born-to-live-wild/

Intrepid Travel has supported World Animal Protection since 2002, financially supporting the original research in to animals in entertainment. Intrepid and World Animal Protection have worked together to develop comprehensive animal-welfare guidelines for our staff, travellers and the industry. For more information visit: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/animal-welfare

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

intrepid World Lion Day