JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH MR JASON WOOD MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LA TROBE
The Australian Government is taking action to protect African lions from the barbaric practice of canned hunting by banning the import and export of trophies made from these magnificent animals.
The significant announcement was made tonight at the ‘Global march for lions’ at Federation Square in Melbourne.
The tighter wildlife trade measures now in place under national environment law will act as a strong deterrent to discourage people from engaging in the unfair and unethical practice of ‘canned hunting’.
“Canned hunting is the practice where lions are raised in captivity for one reason only – so that those who are prepared to pay top dollar are guaranteed a ‘kill’,” said Minister Hunt.
“Canned hunts offer an easy and sure kill because the odds are stacked in favour of the hunter. The lions will always be killed because they simply can’t escape.
“It is cruel. It is barbaric. And this is something that I, along with many other Australians, feel very strongly about. We want this horrific practice to be a thing of the past.
“These new rules mean that if you go overseas and engage in the appalling act of canned hunting, you can forget about bringing your lion trophies back to Australia. You don’t deserve the right to celebrate the slaughter of these amazing creatures.
“This ban is a significant step and I would like to thank Jason Wood for championing this cause and fighting for it to be put in place,” said Minister Hunt.
Federal Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, welcomed the introduction of the ban and said many Australians support efforts to stop the practice of canned hunting.
“Canned hunting is cruel and barbaric, and I’m pleased that as a government we’re doing what it can to put a stop to it,” said Mr Wood.
“These canned hunts use lions raised to be killed in compounds where they can’t run and they can’t hide. There are cases where the lions are drugged before a hunt. Sometimes baits are used to lure the lions for the kill.
“It can hardly be considered hunting, let alone be called a sport.
“This ban means that hunters wanting an easy kill will no longer be permitted to bring their trophy to Australia.
“And the ban not only applies to lion bodies – it also applies to imports of other African lion parts, as well as exports,” said Mr Wood.
The maximum penalty for wildlife trade offences is 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $170,000 for individuals and up to $850,000 for corporations.
(ENDS)