FOUR PAWS BIG CAT SANCTUARY LIONSROCK. More Humanity towards Animals

Transcription

1 FOUR PAWS BIG CAT SANCTUARY LIONSROCK OCTOBER 2012

2 LIONSROCK BIG CAT SANCTUARY Why LIONSROCK Project description Purpose of project Animals Future prospects 2

3 LIONSROCK BIG CAT SANCTUARY INITIAL POSITION The keeping of big predators like lions and tigers is very challenging and demanding Plight of big cats in private keeping/zoos/circuses worldwide The EU doesn t really have clear animal welfare regulations for the keeping of wild animals under human control 3

4 LIONSROCK BIG CAT SANCTUARY INITIAL POSITION Particularly in Eastern Europe FOUR PAWS is aware of many cases of bad and species inappropriate keeping conditions Demanding need of a shelter for big cats with high and species appropriate keeping conditions The geographic location of LIONSROCK in South Africa allows near natural keeping conditions in a climate appropriate especially for African big cats like lions and leopards 4

5 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2006 Foundation of FOUR PAWS South Africa 2008 Official opening of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary Situated in the Freestate 18 kilometers outside Bethlehem (South Africa) LIONSROCK: hectare in size 5

6 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Until now: rescued more than 90 predators First transfer of lions from Austria and Romania 6

7 LIONSROCK BIG CAT SANCTUARY 7

8 LIONSROCK BIG CAT SANCTUARY Park & Lodge 8

9 PURPOSE OF PROJECT Providing lifelong care and natural habitat to big cats that have been subjected to a life of cruel and abusive captivity Eco tourism Educational information programmes for children 9

10 NUMBER OF PREDATORS LIVING IN LIONSROCK 10

11 NUMBER OF PREDATORS LIVING IN LIONSROCK 11

12 BIG CATS IN LIONSROCK Lions Tigers Leopards Cheetahs 12

13 SOUTH AFRICAN WILDLIFE SPECIES IN LIONSROCK Wildebeest Springbuck Zebras Ostriches and a wide variety of other bird species 13

14 SANCTUARY POLICY Strictly prohibited: Hunting Breeding Trading of animals 14

15 SOURCES OF FUNDING International donors of FOUR PAWS Operation of the Lodge: all profits are channelled to the project and specifically Animal Welfare Donations from visitors Donations from suppliers and other companies 15

16 BENEFICIARIES AND IMPACT The animals: more than 90 predators rescued Job creation: 50 permanent and 150+ indirect Suppliers and contractors: only local Education: more than 5000 children Volunteers: more than 200 local and international Media and press: local, national and international International tourism and exposure: more than 8000 visitors yearly 16

17 SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is not an option, it is a MUST We take the lifelong responsibility of care and protection of the big cats 17

18 BIG CAT TRANSFERS Big cats from Romania Serbia Germany South Africa 18

19 FUTURE PROSPECTS Enclosures for big cats with special needs Clinic for vet checks and rapid treatment 19

20 POLITICAL DEMANDS Ban of wild animals in travelling circuses (already implemented in AT, GR) A positive list for private keeping of wild animals A consequent implementation of the general Animal Welfare requirements of the EU Zoo Directive Ban on Animal Welfare adverse exploitation 20

21 THANK YOU! 21