As of last night our wonderful Government in its wisdom has banned the Importation Of all ALL Lion products/hunting Trophies

That our Minister for Environment Mr Hunt used totally wrong and misleading figures to Validate his personal views seems to be of little consequence.

Here is a what was reported in our papers.



IF you go to Africa to hunt a lion, even legally, you can't bring it home to Australia.

AFTER flagging a ban on lion trophy imports months ago, Environment Minister Greg Hunt has signed an order prohibiting any African lion parts or remains coming into Australia.
It's a reaction to the practice of canned hunting, where lions are bred in captivity to be released from a cage, sometimes drugged, and shot by hunters with no chance of escape.
However, while canned hunting is a problem in Africa, many lions are hunted legitimately and it is difficult to know which products were hunted illegally.
Mr Hunt decided on a blanket ban, something federal MP Jason Wood has campaigned strongly for.
"Canned hunting is real. It exists. It shouldn't exist," Mr Hunt said.
"It is cruel. It is barbaric. And this is something that I, along with many other Australians, feel very strongly about."
But the blanket ban has annoyed NSW Shooters and Fishers Party MP Robert Borsak who says there is no justification for the government to ban legal trophies.
He claims hunting is an African conservation measure.
Department of Environment figures show about 140 African lion body parts have been imported into Australia over the past five years.
Former cricket star Glenn McGrath hit headlines last month after pictures surfaced showing him posing with a dead elephant in Africa in 2008.
He says his hunt was legal but he regrets participating.
Mr Hunt made the announcement on Friday night via video message to the "global march for lions" in Melbourne.




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Another stupid decision from another stupid politician!

quote:

Another stupid decision from another stupid politician!

That stupid people elected.
Got the same problem here.

Hunting in Australia goes ahead in leaps and bounds - and then we have this stupid decision; agitated for by Jason Woods MP, a card carrying member of Greenpeace! Using dodgy figures too - as previously stated.

Strange people the Australians - on the one hand its politicians can ban something quite legitimate while on the other they try to move mountains to protect criminals (just because they are Australian citizens). Go figure!

...ignorance can be cured with education.
Stupidity is incurable.

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:
Strange people the Australians - on the one hand its politicians can ban something quite legitimate while on the other they try to move mountains to protect criminals (just because they are Australian citizens). Go figure!

Just as the USA is and does.

Our USFWA is no different the Aussies
It takes one or two do gooders and harm is done
Too bad for you boys down under
We got our own battles here to fight as well
What a shame

So CITES can go and have a rough shit, Mr. Woods and Mr. Hunt do know better.

The Global March for Lions in Melbourne?

I will notify my community immediately that they stand to lose yet more income and the project may implode because of a chap in a place called Australia. I am sure they will fully understand.

In addition I will ask them to further protect the Lion because they are very pretty.

I should note gentleman that this was facilitated by a person by the name of Ian Michler, who traveled to Australia as an 'expert on lions'; to lobby the Aust government on the issue.

Anyhow - here is the official line. You will note their 'canned' definition.
.................................................................................................

Stricter domestic measure to regulate the import and export of African lion items

The Australian Government has introduced a measure to treat African lions as though they are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The measure came into effect on 13 March 2015, and it will limit Australian trade in African lion items, including preventing imports and exports of African lion hunting trophies.

This measure has been introduced in response to Australian public concerns about 'canned hunting' of African lions.

African lions are listed internationally on Appendix II of CITES. Trade in CITES-listed species is regulated through Australia's national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). In accordance with CITES and the EPBC Act, Australia may introduce domestic measures that further restrict trade in CITES listed species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for trade in African lion specimens to and from Australia?

The stricter domestic measure to treat African lions as if they were listed on Appendix I of CITES will apply to African lion imports to and exports from Australia.

The new measure prevents most trade in African lion items. Trade may still be permitted if the specimen:
•was obtained prior to the listing of African lion on CITES—that is, before 1977 (non-live specimens only)
•is traded as part of a non-commercial exchange of scientific specimens between registered institutions (non-live specimens only)
•is traded for research purposes (live and non-live specimens)
•is traded for education purposes (live and non-live specimens)
•is traded for exhibition purposes (non-live specimens only) or
•is traded as part of a Cooperative Conservation Breeding Program (for live specimens only).

Can I bring my African lion hunting trophy into Australia?
•No. Personally owned African lion hunting trophies may not be imported into Australia unless the specimen was from an animal that was deceased prior to 1977.
•Commercial trade in African lion trophies as souvenirs is not possible unless the souvenirs are from animals deceased prior to 1977.

What will happen to my existing permit for African lion specimens?
•Australian CITES import and export/re-export permits issued up to and including 12 March 2015 will remain valid for trade until the permit is used or expires (whichever occurs first).

What will happen to my permit application for African lion specimens?
•Applications for CITES permits for African lion items lodged but not issued prior to the new measure taking effect will be assessed in accordance with the new measure.
•Permit applications lodged on or after Friday, 13 March 2015 will also be assessed in accordance with the new measure.
•Anyone wishing to withdraw a permit application should advise the Department of the Environment in writing at wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au. Refunds will be issued for permit applications that are withdrawn.

Why did the government introduce this measure?
•The measure is about the protection of animal welfare and the ethical treatment of African lions. It was introduced in response to Australian public concerns about 'canned hunting' of African lions.

What is canned hunting?
•Canned hunting is essentially an unfair hunt.
•It includes: •Hunting of lions in fenced enclosures where they can't escape.
•Hunting of lions that have been raised by people, so they approach hunters and their vehicles.
•Hunting of disoriented lions that have recently been put in a new environment.
•Hunting of drugged lions.


Why did the government ban trade in all African lion specimens if the issue is only with canned hunted lions?
•It is usually impossible to tell whether a particular African lion product has come from a lion that has been killed in a canned hunt or not.
•Australia's new domestic measure for all African lion items will reduce the risk of African lion trophies obtained through canned hunting being brought into the country.

http://www.environment.gov.au/...easures/african-lion

Well,you can imagine our plight here back in INDIA with total ban on hunting and VERY VERY difficult to import trophies from any where in the world.And not to forget we had fantastic big game hunting here at the time of independence 1947. Now ALL GONE FOR GOOD. Thanks to the political class - THE WISE MEN.

The last home of Asiatic Lions is very close to where I live and here they are being poisoned by farmers and everyday losing thousands of dollars - thanks to the ban.

Never give up BAPU!!! Lobby, lobby, lobby... there are plenty of international organisations that will help put together proposals, no matter how pointless they seem you must never give up!!

BAPU, please tell us more about the wildlife there. If love to learn more from one there and not just google. I'm sorry about the ban. It seems things all go to hell when idiots are allowed to control.

the Ausies are off the wall when it comes to game or guns. We were at the world police fire games in 2007 and after every event customs officers came and asked "are You don yet?" they wanted to seal up our guns. I asked one, I said" we are the good guys here, what panic mode do you go into when the Mafia hold their annual shoot?" Any way when I was done they put tape on my gun case and then they Let me KEEP it.Stupid or what? We also went on a wildlife tour and the Koala bears are eating to many Eucalyptas trees. They are going to dust the leaves with Birth control powder. These people are certifiably nuts! Not a place where I would want to live. Yet the every day guy is a great guy on average. Logic, non existant!

Hunt your Lion, take some good photos and film and then have the taxidermist send the skin, bones and all to China. Make your self some money.

quote:

Hunt your Lion, take some good photos and film and then have the taxidermist send the skin, bones and all to China. Make your self some money.

Yeah and not putting anything past those morons they will probably make it a criminal offence for an Australian citizen to legally hunt/kill a Lion.

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za...tralia/#.VQcIMPldU1J



Canned lion hunting: ‘Cruel and barbaric’, says Australia

PETER BORCHERT LIFE, ETC 16 MAR 2015 01:26 (SOUTH AFRICA)



Australia’s Minister for the Environment has banned the importation of lion parts and remains into the country, saying that canned lion hunting’s time has passed. By PETER BORCHERT.

Greg Hunt, Australia’s Minister for the Environment, has delivered a broadside against the lucrative business of canned lion hunting. In a sitting of the country’s Parliament in Canberra yesterday evening, he had the following to say: “I have signed an order to prevent the importation into Australia of African lion parts and remains. This order will take effect immediately. It is part of the global movement and I hope part of a significant movement to end canned hunting forever. It is a practice that never had a time, but it is a practice whose time has surely come to pass.”

Australia’s decision is also likely to impact on all those facilities breeding lions for other commercial purposes, such as petting, “walking with lions” and the lion bone trade. Inevitably, when captive young lions pass the age of being ‘safe’ to interact with humans, the writing is on the wall for them – either to feed the market for their body parts or as targets for hunters.

Australians might not make up the largest segment of South Africa’s canned lion trophy hunting industry – that dubious status belongs to the Americans – but they do come in fair numbers each year to fell full-maned captive-bred lions with high-powered rifles and cross bows. It’s called a sport by those behind the sights, but a sport is surely a contest entered into by willing opponents? (For the uninitiated, a canned hunt is one in which the target animal has in almost all instances been bred and raised in captivity until it is mature enough to be of interest to a hunter whose subsequent ‘hunt’ is virtually guaranteed of success.) In such circumstances, to let loose with a bullet or bolt at an unsuspecting quarry that has no means or hope of escape or self-defence seems to define the antithesis of a sport.

Be that as it may, it helps to see lion hunting in the context of lions in general. In short, the species is in a bad way. Nearly a century ago, as many as 200,000 lions roamed Africa’s savannahs, but in the intervening years, that number has crashed to fewer than 30,000. Lions have vanished from over 80 percent of their historic range and are now extinct in 28 countries. Of the remaining 27 countries in which lions survive, 26 are in Africa and one is in Asia. Only seven countries have populations greater than 1,000 wild lions.

“Lions have slipped under the conservation radar for too long,” says Dr Guy Balme of Panthera, a leading NGO whose mission is to ensure the future of wild cats through scientific leadership and global conservation action. “If we do not act now, lions will find themselves in the same dire predicament as their Asian counterpart, the tiger.”

The reasons for the lion’s predicament are many and complex including retaliatory action by herders and farmers (Kenya alone loses 100 of its 2,000 lions a year in this manner), a dramatic loss of habitat, and overhunting of natural prey.

In this respect alone it would be difficult for even the most ardent so-called sport hunter to justify hunting lions for pleasure. Even in South Africa there are fewer than 3,000 wild lions, so when you consider that more than 1,000 lions are shot every year by trophy hunters, it begs the question: Where do they come from?

In the South African context, the answer is easy, for there are some 160 breeding farms here that hold at least 6,000 lions; maybe as many as 8,000. Arguments that these captive-bred and frequently highly habituated lions take the hunting pressure off wild lions is nonsense. One look at crashing lion numbers tells that story. Some breeders even pose as conservationists whose aim is to re-introduce lions to the wild. But this is empty rhetoric as very few captive lions have been successfully re-wilded anywhere in Africa. No, these lions are bred for one purpose only: canned hunting.

Hunters prefer the term ‘captive’ to canned, but Ian Michler, a South African investigative writer, safari operator, conservationist and outspoken critic of trophy hunting and canned lion hunting in particular, dismisses the euphemistic ruse. “Stop hiding behind nuances,” he says to the South African government and professional hunting bodies around the world. “Captive hunting is still canned hunting: the word ‘captive’ is as it reads – lions are being bred in captivity to be killed in captivity.”

“Aussie hunters have been paying up to $75,000 to hunt and kill lions and other exotic big game in so-called ‘canned hunting’ farms or wildlife reserves in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” said Australian MP Jason Wood. “Canned hunting is a cruel and barbaric practice where wildlife is bred for one purpose and that is to be killed in a small enclosure.”

Isabel McCrea, the International Fund for Animal Welfare's regional director in Australia, said she welcomed Hunt’s 'bold' ban on canned hunting trophies: “This decision reflects the Australian public’s abhorrence at the inhumane practice of canned hunting, in which lions are reared in captivity and hunted in enclosures.”

“It shouldn’t exist,” added Hunt. “It is about raising the most majestic of creatures for a singular purpose and that is to kill them, to shoot them for pleasure and for profit.”

In his statement, Hunt paid particular tribute to Jason Wood, “who has brought the issue of canned hunting to the Parliament. I frankly was not aware that such a practice could exist in the 21st Century. It’s a hangover from the 19th Century in the 21st Century and Jason has been unrelenting… But it is the people that have driven this change. So tonight, I want to announce that Australia is committing to be a leader in ending the insidious practice of canned hunting.”

Michler visited Australia late last year to lobby for this outcome. “I can only laud the action taken by Minister Hunt and his Parliamentary colleagues,” he said, “and I fervently hope that Australia’s brave stance will encourage other major hunting nations to follow suit. This news is as much a victory for all those people and organisations that have been fighting against the twin horrors of predator breeding and canned hunting over the last 20 years as it is for the animals themselves.”

Michler went on to say that the Professional Hunting Association of South Africa had only itself to blame. “Instead of coming down hard on canned hunting outfits, their silence has been a tacit approval.”

In the coming week Michler heads off to the European Parliament where he will be lobbying for similar action from Europe. “In time, we will also target the United States,’ he said, ‘as this is where the majority of hunters come from.” (Some 80 percent of lion trophies are shipped back to the United States.)

In his summing up of the situation, Minister Hunt had this to say: “In our own way we are all, all custodians of the great creatures of the world. For me, for us, for all of us here at Federation Square, the lions are an iconic reminder of the great plains of Africa, of the natural world, of the majesty that has been and I hope and pray, and to which I am committed, will continue not just for our children, but for generations hence.”

IFAW said canned hunting had contributed to this decline through direct kills and also by skewing the genetic balance of lion populations by taking large males out of the gene pool to be shot.

Isabel McCrea, IFAW’s regional director, said she welcomed Hunt’s “bold” ban on canned hunting trophies.

“This decision reflects the Australian public’s abhorrence at the inhumane practice of canned hunting, in which lions are reared in captivity and hunted in enclosures,” she said.

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Hunt your Lion, take some good photos and film and then have the taxidermist send the skin, bones and all to China. Make your self some money.

Yeah and not putting anything past those morons they will probably make it a criminal offence for an Australian citizen to legally hunt/kill a Lion.

No one seemed to object when Crocodile Dundee drew a knife on a man of colour?

Does this whole fiasco make CITES nonessential, nonbinding, laughable stock?
Look at us here in US. We are the worst.
Elephants, polar bears, jaguars. It's just such a bull...

quote:

Originally posted by dande_jack:
the Ausies are off the wall when it comes to game or guns. We were at the world police fire games in 2007 and after every event customs officers came and asked "are You don yet?" they wanted to seal up our guns. I asked one, I said" we are the good guys here, what panic mode do you go into when the Mafia hold their annual shoot?" Any way when I was done they put tape on my gun case and then they Let me KEEP it.Stupid or what? We also went on a wildlife tour and the Koala bears are eating to many Eucalyptas trees. They are going to dust the leaves with Birth control powder. These people are certifiably nuts! Not a place where I would want to live. Yet the every day guy is a great guy on average. Logic, non existant!

Do you know how much trouble it is for a foreigner to bring a firearm to the USA?

I own pretty much whatever guns I want. Hunt whatever game I want with very few restrictions. My clients bring firearms for hunting here freely with an import permit issued by the individual state.

Anti-hunters and anti-gunners are present in all countries.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:

I own pretty much whatever guns I want.

That may be true. I guess it depends on what you want?

I haven't researched firearm rules in OZ. I've only talked with folks who tried to take firearms, including large bore doubles there, and to a person they said it was very onerous.

Are you allowed to own semi-auto? Is there a restriction on maximum bore size either for you as a citizen or for a foreign hunter?

Cheers
Jim

Fairgame:

Would it be total badsportsmanship to dust it heavily with arsenic before I did that? :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

I haven't researched firearm rules in OZ. I've only talked with folks who tried to take firearms, including large bore doubles there, and to a person they said it was very onerous.

Are you allowed to own semi-auto? Is there a restriction on maximum bore size either for you as a citizen or for a foreign hunter?

Cheers
Jim

Like I said - not as onerous as the USA... but rarely do I say that to an American and see it register on their 'care' radar!!

For the amount of paperwork and hassle, it is much the same as South Africa.

No, we cannot own semi-auto's for sport hunting. Bolt action, pump rifles, doubles, levers, etc. No restrictions on rifle caliber, in most states, for anyone - but every state is different. Western Australia is the toughest.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

I haven't researched firearm rules in OZ. I've only talked with folks who tried to take firearms, including large bore doubles there, and to a person they said it was very onerous.

Are you allowed to own semi-auto? Is there a restriction on maximum bore size either for you as a citizen or for a foreign hunter?

Cheers
Jim

Like I said - not as onerous as the USA... but rarely do I say that to an American and see it register on their 'care' radar!!

For the amount of paperwork and hassle, it is much the same as South Africa.

No, we cannot own semi-auto's for sport hunting. Bolt action, pump rifles, doubles, levers, etc. No restrictions on rifle caliber, in most states, for anyone - but every state is different. Western Australia is the toughest.

Thanks for the info. You are correct that a non-American coming here with a weapon would not be on my radar even though I live in a State that likely would see the most foreign hunters.

Cheers
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Does this whole fiasco make CITES nonessential, nonbinding, laughable stock?
Look at us here in US. We are the worst.
Elephants, polar bears, jaguars. It's just such a bull...

I hate to tell you my friend. But the first country that made CITES irrelevant is the US!

And this I heard from someone quite high up in CITES!

He said the USFW doing their own things has thrown a monkey wrench in the works.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Hunt your Lion, take some good photos and film and then have the taxidermist send the skin, bones and all to China. Make your self some money.

That's so wrong Andrew and yet so right!

So who is this 'Ian Michler' character; who traveled to Australia in October 2014 to participate in this lobbying effort?

Who is going to take him 'out back'?

Michler is one of the left nutters hero.

He is an expert in everything that walks the earth, as far as they are concerned!!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Michler is one of the left nutters hero.

He is an expert in everything that walks the earth, as far as they are concerned!!

African?

Google his name, you will see all the details.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Does this whole fiasco make CITES nonessential, nonbinding, laughable stock?
Look at us here in US. We are the worst.
Elephants, polar bears, jaguars. It's just such a bull...

I hate to tell you my friend. But the first country that made CITES irrelevant is the US!

And this I heard from someone quite high up in CITES!

He said the USFW doing their own things has thrown a monkey wrench in the works.

Yup! CITES is irrelevant now.

In a radio interview late last year our Minister of Environment also " revealed "
publicily that he as a Government Representitive was going to approach the South African Government and ask that they issue no hunting License to any Australian Citizen?..

Now that have had such "success" with the Lion Import Ban, makes me very nervous what they "reveal" as the next target of their stupidity....

As for CITES, Minister of Envrionment Mr Hunt does mention or refer to them at all. All information comes from more green orientated group.

Scott

quote:

Originally posted by sjb:
In a radio interview late last year our Minister of Environment also " revealed "
publicily that he as a Government Representitive was going to approach the South African Government and ask that they issue no hunting License to any Australian Citizen?..

Now that have had such "success" with the Lion Import Ban, makes me very nervous what they "reveal" as the next target of their stupidity....

As for CITES, Minister of Envrionment Mr Hunt does mention or refer to them at all. All information comes from more green orientated group.

Scott

They dont even know what they are talking about though... they also said in the media that they were going to ban ALL trophy imports... what they (Wood and Hunt) meant is all lion trophy imports. They dont mind throwing little white lies around to keep the antis stirred-up.