Your cash saves lions from death

From the Echo, first published Friday 11th Mar 2005.

A BUSINESSMAN has saved a pride of South African lions from a cruel new type of hunting - with the help of Daily Echo readers.

Adam Murry, 36, has successfully bought three lions, three lionesses and three cubs from the South African authorities in an auction.

Working with South African-based charity SanWild, he had to bid hard against people who wanted them for canned hunting.

After the story appeared in The Daily Echo a month ago, calls flooded in to Mr Murry and his non-profit making Canford Cliffs-based organisation, the Bill Jordan Foundation for Wildlife, concerned about the animals he called The Royal Pride.

Some pledged money which went some way to raising the £18,000 that was needed. Mr Murry, who owns several businesses in the area, including jewellers and salons, paid the rest.

He said: "People say I should be pleased but I just think: "Next".

"There are so many out there that need saving.

"I think I will get emotional when I see them - that's when it'll hit me."

He is planning to travel to South Africa on March 29 to see the pride - originally captured from the wild illegally - and find a park for one of the lionesses, which is injured.

Canned hunting is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa - especially with American and German tourists.

The lions are drugged then released into bush land the size of a football pitch and hunters shoot at them.

The females are kept in small cages to breed until they no longer can and are then killed - often knocked on the head with a hammer.

Campaigners, including Mr Murry, are now trying to stop this type of hunting being sanctioned in South Africa.

Arguments against the bill must be sent to the South African government before Tuesday.

For more information about the Bill Jordan Foundation, which also helps orphaned children and animals other than lions, such as elephants and rhinos around the world, visit www.wildlifedefence.org

First published: March 11

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