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Rare Lions Being Poisoned to Save Money

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Lil Pun, Nov 22, 2006.

  1. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Member

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    Ethiopian lions poisoned to save money

    ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Rare Abyssinian lion cubs are being poisoned at a zoo because staff cannot afford to keep them, a wildlife official said Wednesday.

    The dead cubs are sold to taxidermists for $170 each to be stuffed and sold as decorations, said Muhedin Abdulaziz, the administrator at the old imperial Lion Zoo in the capital, Addis Ababa.

    "These animals are the pride of our country. We need to do something about this. But our only alternative right now is to send them to the taxidermist," Abdulaziz said.

    Ethiopia's lions, famous for their black manes, are the country's national symbol and adorn statues and the local currency.

    Wildlife experts estimate that only 1,000 Ethiopian lions, which are smaller than other lions, remain in the wild. Despite a recent crackdown, hunters also kill the animals for their skins, which can fetch $1,000.

    Abdulaziz said it costs around $6,000 a month to run the zoo, but it only receives $5,000 in revenues from entrance fees. He added that the poisoning has been going on at least since he arrived two years ago; the number of cubs that have been killed was not immediately clear.

    The zoo is a popular local attraction, although poor facilities have led to concerns by international wildlife organizations. It was built in 1948 by Emperor Haile Selassie and currently has 16 adult lions and five cubs.
     
  2. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Member

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    There's got to be something more to this story. I'm sure there are hundreds of zoos around the world who would pay more than $170 to take these lions, no?
     
  3. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    No, lion, no poison,
    No, lion, no poison.
     
  4. vlaurelio

    vlaurelio Member

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    $170 for a live lion? do they accept visa?
     
  5. pirc1

    pirc1 Member

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    What do you plan to do with them? :D
     
  6. Sishir Chang

    Sishir Chang Member

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    Shipping costs are going to be a beyatch.
     
  7. pirc1

    pirc1 Member

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    They are cubs, which would be much easier to handle I would think.
     
  8. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    That's what I was thinking. They could at least just release the cubs into the wild considering they're endangered, but I guess they wouldn't get their 170 bucks.
     
  9. lpbman

    lpbman Member

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    Release cubs into the wild? Might as well just kick them to death yourself.
     
  10. ima_drummer2k

    ima_drummer2k Member

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    Yeah, I think someone is lyin...
     
  11. Omer

    Omer Member

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    Yeah I would definitely buy them and start my own backyard zoo.

    Have em at parties like Diddy had penguins in his pool.
     

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