Madubula safaris (http://www.madubula.com/site.htm) says they bagged the new SCI #1 lion (see photo above). But Madubula is a South African company and I thought SCI did not accept lions killed in South Africa due to the canned nature of most of those hunts.

Does anyone know the facts behind this? Was the lion taken in RSA or elsewhere? Did SCI accept it? Is it the #1?

Thanks.

Of course, that's certainly an exceptionally large and beautiful specimen, and such a lion would be absolutely be the trophy of my lifetime if the hunt was 100% fair-chase, and not canned.

That's my main question about this particular lion: Was the hunt truly fair-chase, and was this a truly wild lion?

Quite frankly, I have my doubts, since very few wild lions have such a beautiful, luxuriant mane. Most of the wild lions I've seen, and the one single lion I've taken, look like they've been in the thronebush, and have been in more than a few fights. They're scarred up, don't have so fluffy a mane, don't look as well-fed, and so on...........

AD

Have you noticed how assiduously they avoid mentioning where this lion was taken?

George

Did they have a hair dresser come by and do the froo-froo routine before that picture was taken?

Looks a little pampered, doesn't it?

I wonder if they can't claim that a lion is SCI #1 or whatever, even though they know it isn't going to be accepted into the book. Good advertising ploy.

I'd rather have a scraggy, nearly maneless lion that I'd hunted fairly than some pet.

Others are free to think otherwise.

All fairly taken adult male lions are #1 in my book.
While judging an antelope's horns is a skil that can be acquired I just can't accept that anyone knows the cats hat size when the trigger is pulled.

Rich Elliott

About the only fair-chase lions available in RSA come from the Klaserie Nature Reserve which is connected to the Kruger park. They only tender one maybe two lion a year depending upon game populations. If you want one, the bids generally run about $35K to $40K - no guarantees since this is fair-chase - no baits and no night hunting.

Maybe the lion was darted with steoroids once a week .
I looks nice.
Most SCI or RW Number one trophys are freek animals and not normal for their spicies. They will always look too god.

Cheers,

Andr�

500grains,



SCI now lists all lions from South Africa or Namibia in a separate section of the Africa Record Book.



So you have:



African Lion; and

African Lion (South Africa and Namibia).



The submitting hunter certifies the conditions of the hunt.



jim dodd

Gentlemen,

I have hunted twice with Madubula Safari's, the last time in June of this year. This lion was probably taken in the same area we hunted in just over a month ago in the Limpopo Province on a huge 100,000 acre+ concession near the Limpopo River. Lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dogs there. Lots of large predator "kills" there where we were hunting PG. Over the years John Abraham and his PH's have taken quite a few above average males out of that area, it's called "Venetia". This is a very ethical, class outfit, but I can understand your skepticism with RSA. That lion cost that hunter nearly $25,000 after everything was said and done, unless he got some kind of a discount.

Just my 2 cents...

From their website,lion hunt safari costs,

Lion Hunt: $ 49 114


14 Days @ US $1 650 per day $ 23 100
Government tax $ 3 234
Concession fee $ 2 800
Lion trophy fee $ 18 000
License fee $ 1 980

Extra Charges:

Deposit required to confirm booking $ 15 000

You are right Kathi. I didn't look at all the itemized costs in their brochure...so double my original estimate (sounds familiar doesn't it) to $50,000. The "almost $25,000..." was just the daily rates ($23,100).



My point was, that hunter paid a hell of a price for that lion...I think you will all agree. Not to mention the taxidermy, and I hope he's not doing a rug...



Could have taken 5 or 6 friends on a hell of a PG hunt for that kind of ransom.

It is one hell of a specimen. I don't think that a hunt on such a large area can be called 'canned' can it?

The size of the area has something to do with it, but if the animal was from some zoo or circus and let out to be shot, I call it canned.

SCI can do what they want. I don't accept an RSA lion in my "book".