A poem with a varying rhyme pattern that addresses lion farming. |
The state of wild lions in Africa has grown dire, with only some 20,000 lions today roaming free. Lions in 26 countries have become extinct, and, while we still do see lions in 27 countries within Africa, only seven of these have more than 1,000 lions wandering their land. This “vulnerable” state has given rise to over 160 lion farms containing 6,000 to 8,000 lions that are confined within fenced compounds devised with the goal of rapid breeding reigning. These farms’ practices are most unkind. Here lion cubs are taken from the mother at a few days of age to be hand-raised, bottle fed by humans, some of whom pay for the opportunity to smother the cubs with affection and praise. Removing her cubs prepares the womb of the lioness for re-breeding all too soon. Older lions are housed behind fences, their needs cared for by human hands until they have no fear of men nearby. Thus these lions never develop defenses learned by wild lions living on open lands. These lions are too trusting, none can deny. Once a selected lion reaches about four years of age, it is moved to a fenced compound where it suddenly is alone for the first time. It finds a dead buffalo and eats with no fears as a small group of men slowly come around. He’s a prize black-maned male lion in his prime. Suddenly a shot rings out! The lion roars in pain and tries to run, but the bullet destroyed the bones in his shoulder. He can only flop about as again a bullet strikes his body. The wounded lion groans his last lament and slowly closes his eyes in death. The men are joyous as the lion takes his last breath. Another “canned” hunt has ended successfully. The wealthy hunter paid $50,000 for his prize. He gets the hide and head to mount on his wall; he will brag of his hunting prowess excessively. Lion farm owners profit from their lions’ demise. The poor lion never lived a lion’s intended life at all. Even the bones of the murdered lions get sold as “tiger bone cake” to both China and Vietnam. These magnificent animals, the king of beasts, are bred simply to be slaughtered as I’ve told, while the world watches in apathy, remains calm. With this poem I hope to publicize this issue at least. Please check out my ten books: http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 |