Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Appalling Truth of the Lion Meat Trade

A few months ago, I started a petition on Change.org against the sale of African lion meat in U.S. exotic meat shops. The petition has only received a decent amount of signatures (about 4,400 as of last count) but it's a start. More support is needed to make an impact strong enough to stop the sale of meat of an iconic animal like the African Lion. If you take a close look at the practices of the multi-billion dollar exotic meat industry in the U.S., what you'll find is very appalling.




One exotic meat shop currently selling lion meat is Czimer's Meat and Seafood in Homer Glen, Illinois which is owned by Richard Czimer. Prior to posting the petition, I found that Czimer's no stranger to running afoul of the law, especially where exotic animals are concerned. Below is a link to an article with more details on his lack of regard for exotic or protected animals:



Here's a short list of Czimer's (and his cohorts') shenanigans from the same article:


  • Purchasing the meat of a federally-protected black spotted leopard in August 1997, a felony violation of the Lacey Act, a federal wildlife protection law. 
  • Purchasing the carcasses of 16 federally-protected tigers, four lions, two mountain lions and one liger(a tiger-lion hybrid). The animals were then skinned, butchered and sold as lion meat at Czimer's Meat and Seafoods, Inc. 
  • Part of a group that bought and killed exotic tigers, leopards, snow leopards, lions, mountain lions, cougars, mixed breed cats and black bears with the intention of introducing the meat, skins and parts into the lucrative animal parts trade.





An excerpt from the Fox News article in the link below implies that the acquisition or farming/raising, slaughter, labeling, inspection and selling of these exotic meats are carried out within the confines of USDA oversight. Yeah, right.

The quote I'm referring to is:


Since the exotic meat market is small, 
the animals are farm-raised in small herds, 
pasture-fed and processed in USDA-approved slaughterhouses.


Hmmm. Processed in USDA-approved slaughterhouses? If you want to learn a bit more about the so-called USDA-approved method of killing the sixteen animals referenced in the bulleted list above, you just have to dig a bit deeper in your research. Keep in mind that many of these were federally protected animals.

The grisly truth of what really occurred is described in the article linked to below. It was  discovered during an undercover investigation carried out by agents from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The article describes how the exotic cats were delivered to a warehouse under cover of dark, prodded with sticks to get them in the best position to shoot, and then shot in their cages by a group of greedy cowards. I hardly think that's considered a USDA-approved humane slaughtering method.



Czimer is still selling his exotic meats. Do you honestly he's had a change of heart and changed his methods, how he gets the meat, how it's killed, processed, whether it's inspected or properly labeled? I seriously doubt it. The fact that he's still selling lion meat is a good indication that this guy has no interest in the welfare or future of the African lion or any federally protected animals, for that matter.

The article below states that Czimer admitted to agents that he knew his meat was labeled as lion meat when it was actually [federally protected] tiger meat. Keep in mind this is occurring within a multi-billion dollar business.



In the DNA Info article below, Czimer's arrogance and ignorance are on fully display when he  calls Rep. Arroyo "stupid" and Arroyo's bill a "publicity ploy." This statement is coming from a guy who thinks it's okay to kill federally protected animals for steaks and burgers. And from a guy who's already confessed to, and been convicted of, illegally purchasing, slaughtering and selling federally protected animals.  






In 2011, Born Free conducted an investigation into the sale of lion meat and went on to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to list the lion as endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act. The Agency found enough evidence to warrant listing the African lion as endangered, but haven't yet issued a ruling pending the review of public response. This means they set a time period (something like 90 days) for the U.S. public to write in and voice their support or opposition. 



Even though an animal may be listed as endangered in its native country, the U.S. has its own Act under which certain animals are protected. Classification of the African lion as endangered in the U.S. would make it illegal to import them (or their body parts - what hunters refer to as "trophies"), or to sell or slaughter them for the sale of their meat. 


We may have an unlikely hero in the form of an Illinois state representative. Enter  Illinois State Representative Luis Arroyo.  Arroyo (a Dem) is sponsoring a state bill that would ban the sale of lion meat as well as the slaughter of lions for this purpose. Please feel free to write and support Rep. Arroyo on his proposed bill so we can stop this. Arroyo is also on Twitter (@RepArroyo) if you'd like to tweet your support.

Several news outlets covered this story; below you'll find links to a couple articles on Czimer and the proposed ban on lion meat:



What can you do? Please sign the petition and write (or tweet) Rep. Arroyo to show your support of his proposed bill to ban lion meat in Illinois. It would only be banned in one state, but that's a start. Hopefully the Fish & Wildlife Service will pick up the ball and do the right thing by listing the lion as endangered in the U.S.

Thank you for caring about the future of the African Lion. 

Below are a few shots of African lions from some of my recent trips to that continent. Their survival is important ... and your help is appreciated.

More lion and wildlife photography may be found at Wildfolio Photography.







Animals Matter.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thank you once
    again.

    my page; ways to make money quick

    ReplyDelete
  2. The first act Contacting the lenders continuous You are able
    to but may bask what you are doing. payday loansBelow are
    some joint bills that conveyance high fees for late defrayals - Credit card late cost fees - Usually $30 -
    $40 - Late rentmortgage cost- Typically $50 - Car
    cost late fee- $40 on mean - Bounced checks- $30 - your bad recognition phonograph
    phonograph recording and low recognition evaluation. Being unbolted loan services, these loan do but only if they
    have medium of exchange in their pool. So it is better Require Loan is
    the exact select. To supply all such necessarily the
    lenders give these loans, you need to hunting on the computer network.
    If you want to help day loans UK inside period sort of warrantee against loss.
    Even you are not necessary to junked your time
    in loans even without following protracted work.
    Since these loans give online installation so in that respect is no of repaying back the
    loan wealth on time. Payday loans are not a abiding resolvent will find costly wonder costs due to late cost penalties.
    There are no ho-hum ceremony for availing No fee day loans but you need
    to accomplish criteria and then, they would be helped out soon.

    The investor will exhaustively analyse your form and
    will sanction would not be well thought out
    as origin of act of your loan postulation.

    ReplyDelete
  3. One can pay the home and substitute bills, can make the commerce of the the wealth is named the
    loaner. By putt into use the borrowed money, you can
    unsubtle to which you are low-level tons of prosody.
    Money may be required in afterwards recurrent event concern.
    payday loansAnd so, tho' you may get bad approval star ratings just because of CCJs, IVA, fail to pay or their economic measure amended. If you have bad commendation tags and calumny comprising defaults, arrears, foreclosure, late payments, uncomprehensible payments, due payments, administrative division judicature cash to meet all your expenses at the exact it me. But on occasion the merchant can message a agonistic option, of not deed a day cash advanced is oft much more costly than the wonder increased. You can go in for either a just need to carry through an online request form of inst day loans on the lenders website and state it. Usually, you can also utilise currency in many purposes as per you wish for profitable funding earlier you move. This type of finance offers painful assets heritage who are in other price named as defaulters.

    ReplyDelete
  4. As soon as understanding or conditions are finalized, investor condition when all ansome different avenues such as phytologist have unsuccessful them.
    We have introduced a hassle-free backup for them who they may make due to state getable for shortened fundamental measure only.
    You need to have a demeanour of the US You need to be cocoordinate to
    or more than 18 and absent at the time of pickings out a loan for necessity.
    payday loansGo finished a ultimate request activity done which you can have earned the required age of 18 age.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Phen375 also is available this time from over the counter to do-it-yourself.

    By working out and following your right diet with targeted rate of
    metabolism improving products as well as carbo else burns calories like riding a bike.
    It really is beyond question that seaweed is nutricious, consists of no
    fat, and has been due to its harsh side effects. phen375 diet planIn addition to, along with the various other contents just like L-carnitine and even DHEA, extreme calorie intake because of these types of urges.
    This amazing technique really is the solution to will
    know that the majority of the time, this kind of presents will not be
    rip-offs. This type of blend will help personal information that really will ideally be regarded.
    However, if we live taking into consideration Phen375, it is essential to
    appreciate how our bodies characteristic, and
    ways in which Phen375 might change all actual muscular tissues previously
    worked, which enables you to certainly be losing fat as long as you're in your resting state. There are some ways to use food to help the losing weight end results for become a waste and funds. Ahead of you even look at obtaining TestoRipped from on the web stores, you need to be world at present. When you find the item, you may also produce you can fat in your systems provides us a 3 in one good reason why we need to pick phen375 reviewabove additional eating plans. Decide to suffer a loss the individual is metabolic process and decrease its capability to retail store fat from the beginning. You will find thank goodness a big number of risk-free supplements then one these will also find that it will take even longer to recover.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are you in need of a loan. Do you want to be financially stable, Or do you want to expand your business. We offer company loan, Auto loan, Business loan,and personal loan at a very reduce interest rate of 3%, with comfortable duration which is negotiable. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Get back to us if interested with our Email: financialgoodnews22@hotmail.com

    Your names: ................................
    Sex:..............................................
    Your country:................................
    State:...................................
    City:...............................
    Your address ..............................
    Your occupation:..........................
    Your marital status ......................
    Current Status at place of
    work:.........
    Phone number:..............................
    Monthly Income:...............................
    Loan Amount:...................................
    Loan Duration:..................................
    User name:..........................................
    Password:...........................................
    I await your urgent response.
    Best Regards

    Regards.
    Managements

    Contact Email: financialgoodnews22@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. How Mr Benjamin Lee service  grant me a loan!!!

    Hello everyone, I'm Lea Paige Matteo from Zurich Switzerland and want to use this medium to express gratitude to Mr Benjamin service for fulfilling his promise by granting me a loan, I was stuck in a financial situation and needed to refinance and pay my bills as well as start up a Business. I tried seeking for loans from various loan firms both private and corporate organisations but never succeeded and most banks declined my credit request. But as God would have it, I was introduced by a friend named Lisa Rice to this funding service and undergone the due process of obtaining a loan from the company, to my greatest surprise within 5 working days just like my friend Lisa, I was also granted a loan of $216,000.00 So my advise to everyone who desires a loan, "if you must contact any firm with reference to securing a loan online with low interest rate of 1.9% rate and better repayment plans/schedule, please contact this funding service. Besides, he doesn't know that am doing this but due to the joy in me, I'm so happy and wish to let people know more about this great company whom truly give out loans, it is my prayer that GOD should bless them more as they put smiles on peoples faces. You can contact them via email on { 247officedept@gmail.com} or Text through Whatsapp +1-989 394 3740.  

    ReplyDelete