I am deeply fortunate to be born and raised in the stunning country of Zimbabwe. Growing up around Zimbabwe's iconic Wildlife in the Wildlife conservation industry, I developed a deep love of Africa's Wildlife from an early age. In particular,  Lions have captivated my imagination. They have become my keystone species, my totem, my spirit animal. However, my passion for Wildlife species such as Lions has also morphed into deep concern as these fascinating sentient Beings face challenges unprecented in their species' history. 

Most alarming of all has been the sharp reduction of wild lion numbers across Africa. This is a an urgent topic which simply cannot be ignored any longer!  According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), wild populations of Lions have sharply declined by 43% in just over two decades. Dropping to approximately around 20,000 indivduals left in the wild. Alarmingly, Africa's most iconic Animal; world famous and iniversally beloved is now listed as "Vulnerable".  In particular, the Western African Lion population is now classified as "Critically Endangered." This is simply unacceptable by human standards. We cannot continue to let the desecration of arguebably Earth's most beloved, revered Animal continue due to human greed and ignorance. I draw the line in the sand at that! As a young Zimbabwean involved in Wildlife Conservation, I firmly state NO MORE! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! If no one is willing to raise their voice, then I will do it! I cannot stand by, doing nothing any longer. As Africans, this is our natural heritage. Our lifeblood. The very thing which draws millions of international tourists from around the world to the vast savannas of our continent. Wildlife, particularly Lions MUST be saved for our children's children and their children to witness. For the rest of eternity.

Most distressing of all is the fact that trophy hunting along with canned hunting plays a huge role in the reduction of Lions and other Big Cats. I still remember the cowardly and illegal killing of Cecil ( pictured above) in Hwange National Park by the American dentist, Walter Palmer which occurred in 2015. Zimbabweans as well as people around the world have not forgotten this travesty of justice. Neither have I! Incredulously, there still are a minority of people in the hunting, wildlife management and conservation departments who remain adamantly committed to the practice of this bloodsport. Such outdated, primitive thinking has no place in our society. How can humans claim to be civilised while supporting the murder of fellow sentient Beings?! Indeed, a report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has outlined the fact that excessive, inhumane and illegal hunting disrupts the natural structure and coherance of lion prides by killing prime breeding males which in turn creates chaos and distortion within the pride itself. Now this is not only a grave threat to the health and genetic diversity of Africa's Lions but it also undermines conservation efforts by wildlife conservationists such as myself who are trying to save this incredible icon of Africa. During my time involved in Wildlife Conservation, I have personally witnessed for myself a pride of thirteen Lions drop to only six remaining individuals after American hunters shot the main breeding males.

In Africa, particularly my country of Zimbabwe, trophy hunting has been responsible for the disruption of healthy ecosystems. Killing healthy, breeding males in their prime for "sport" creates a ripple effect; a chain reaction of ecological devestation and imbalance which affects all living Beings from prey species to the very health of the ecosystem we all depend on.

The absurdity of the belief that trophy hunting supports conservation through funding is extremely inaccurate. For instance, a report by the Democratic staff of the House Natural Resources Committee in the United States has illustrated the fact that a meagre  3% of total revenue from trophy hunting is actually given back to local conservation efforts and lcoal communities. This means that wildlife species and the local African communities who share the land are seeing little to none of the supposed benefits that proponents of trophy hunting claim. Despite the fact that Wildlife species and African communities are the ones who have to bear the cost of the impacts of the hunting ( canned and trophy ) industry.

As a Zimbabwean and as an African, I for one cannot simply cannot stand by and watch as these iconic Big Cats; my homeland's heritage are pushed to the brink by mankind's selfish actions.  It is long overdue for my nation of Zimbabwe and the rest of the African continent to do the right thing by imposing a complete and total ban on canned and trophy hunting of our world-famous Wildlife through Heart-Centred action/leadership. In particular, with an urgent emphasis on the absolute ban on the killing of Lions.

I therefore urge our government, our National Parks and Wildlife Management industries and the entire global community at large to unite behind an order to implement firm measures on trophy hunting while funding sustainable, effective and efficient community-based conservation schemes in the knowledge that Lions, Elephants and all other Animals are fellow sentient Beings in their own rights who have the same undeniable, unalienable right to be humanely and ethically treated with respect, compassion and honour. Especially Elephants who are their people, having been observed grieving and paying tribute to their dead. Africa's Wildlife must be treated as fellow SENTIENT BEINGS, not objects to do with as we please. These proposals must be directed towards the preservation of Africa's wildlife species through supporting local African communities, anti-poaching units, game rangers and economies through the use of sustainable eco-tourism as well as the education of our youth about the vital importance of biodiversity and Wildlife conservation. This must be done in selfless service for the highest good of all Beings.

I ask you to please stand with me and join our cause in demanding change for our lions, for our wildlife, for our future as a civilization. For the Protection of Africa’s natural heritage. By uniting in Heart-Centred actions and lion-hearted leadership, please let us protect, serve and defend what cannot be replaced. Please sign this petition to conserve our wildlife from the irreversible damage that canned/trophy hunting causes. Thank you.