Adam Roberts in Print
Illinois Lawmaker Battles to Ban Lion Meat
Dying to try lion? If you live in Illinois, you'd better get your fix quickly before proposed legislation would make the "mane" course a Class A misdemeanor. Illinois State Representative Luis Arroyo proposed HB 2991 to the state's General Assembly last month. If the Lion Meat Act passes, Illinois will become the first U.S. state to forbid lion slaughter, or for any person to possess, breed, import, export, buy or sell lions for the purpose of slaughter.
Link: Eatocracy.CNN.com
Coroner: Lion Killed Woman after Escaping Cage
The investigation into a lion attack that killed a 24-year-old woman who loved big cats is focusing on a cage door that the 550-pound animal managed to escape through to reach the volunteer intern, officials say.
Link: MiamiHerald.com
Born Free Executives Warn of the End of Many of the World's Most Iconic Species
Adam Roberts, executive vice president of Born Free USA, a leader in wildlife conservation and animal welfare, and a board member of Species Survival Network (SSN), warned February 25, “We are presiding over a slide towards extinction for many of the world's most iconic species.”
Link: Examiner.com
The Lion's Fading Roar: Declining West African Lion Population Hints at Grim Future
It was alarming to read new research which suggests that the West African Lion may be on the verge of extinction, with just 645 members of the sub-species left in western and central Africa. The study, carried out by conservation group LionAid, finds there are no lions at all in 25 of the region's countries, and the animal is virtually extinct in 10 others. In Nigeria, once home to a huge community of West African Lions, just 34 remain.
Link: IBTimes.co.uk
Largest Transfer of Macaques in History Is Complete
This past September marked the ending of a journey that involved transferring 107 macaques and one baboon from their former home, the defunct Wild Animal Orphange (WAO), San Antonio, Texas to their new location in Dilley, Texas. The macaques and baboon will now live out their lives in the primate sanctuary on 186 acres under the supervision of Tim Ajax, Director of the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Link: ReadingEagle.com
African Lions Near Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will consider protecting the African lion under the Endangered Species Act. The groups Born Free USA, Born Free Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, Defenders of Wildlife and the Fund for Animals filed the petition for protective status in a joint effort, and thanked the USFWS for its preliminary positive 90-day finding.
Link: CatChannel.com
Hope for African Lions
African lions may soon be protected under the Endangered Species Act thanks to petitions filed by Born Free USA, Born Free Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Humane Society of the U.S, the Humane Society International, Defenders of Wildlife and the Fund for Animals.
Link: PetNewsandViews.com
African Lion Could End Up on Endangered Species List
If wildlife activists have their way, U.S. hunters trekking to Africa soon won't be able to bring back any lion skins or skulls as trophies. Acting on a petition by those activists, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday said it will study whether the species warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. Born Free USA, one of the petition groups, called the review "the necessary first step toward ensuring a chance at survival for this beleaguered species."
Link: NBCNews.com
