Indian Rangers Uncovering Hundreds Of Iron Traps, Pits, In Worlds Only Asian Lion Sanctuary - ENN

[hatrack]

GIR NATIONAL PARK, India -- Indian authorities are unearthing hundreds of large iron traps and pits in the world's only natural habitat for rare Asiatic lions after a spate of killings of the big cats by poachers.

Forestry officials at Gir National Park in the western state of Gujarat say poachers have been laying traps near water sources and placing plastic nets inside pits to catch the animals, whose body parts fetch lucrative prices on the international market. In the last seven weeks, 11 lions have been found dead -- seven of them killed by poachers. The four others drowned after falling into wells.

"All this happened around us and we failed to stop it," said Bharat Vahani, a forest guard in the sprawling 1,400 sq km (540 sq mile) park. "Some lions were stabbed in the face to prevent them from roaring and alerting guards," he added.

In recent killings by poachers, the claws, skulls and bones of the lions were missing when their carcasses were found. The bones are used for traditional Chinese medicine and the claws are worn by some men as pendants in the hope of increasing their virility.

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[BrklynLiberal]

1. Every creature on this planet is here only to serve mankind...

:sarcasm:


and then who will save us when it is our turn to be annihilated?

This kind of activity is so heartbreaking...and it is happening to many exquisite animals. Elephants are also being decimated.:cry:

[YOY]

2. Why is it most "traditional chinese medicine" is geared toward "virility"

Is the generic viagra coming out of China just less cost affective than powdered rhino horn or lion claws?

[maxsolomon]

3. the killing will continue until they are extinct.

desparate people will do whatever they have to do to make money.

this is not a healthy planet. there are too many homo sapiens.