South African President Shockingly Has Ties to Trophy Hunting Industry

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-undercover-investigation-exposes-south-african-presidents-secret-ties-to-trophy-hunting-including-a-50-stake-in-tsala-hunting-safaris/

An undercover investigation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa discovered his ties to the trophy hunting industry that is helping along the extinction of some of the world's most beloved species. The investigation conducted by PETA, turned up recordings of Ramaphosa talking about his quiet opening & developing of an expanded trophy hunting reserve called Diepdrift. He speaks about stocking it with animals from his personal wildlife-breeding facility and his 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris. It's abundantly clear that his ties to the trophy hunting industry are bad news for Africa's most imperiled species.

Photo Credit - World Animal News .

Africa is in the grips of an extinction crisis as some of their most renowned and beloved species face the possibility of extinction without adequate resources and effort to protect them. Cheetahs, lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, the list goes on. All of these animals are facing an uncertain future as human caused perils continue to decimate them. Habitat loss due to climate change or expansive human development. Illegal poaching for skins, pelts, bones, or other parts of animals for medicinal treatments with absolutely no scientific backing. Worst of all, trophy hunting; a "sport" that glamourizes the murder of endangered animals. Humans have manipulated the animal kingdom to such an extent that we are breeding endangered animals not to aid in conservation, but to sell slaughter to the right bidder.

This investigation has proven another unfortunate fact about animal welfare, and that is if our world leaders aren't committed to animal welfare & conservation, animals will continue to go extinct. Our country's leaders are responsible for enacting change and without them, we work tirelessly to get their attention. Raising awareness for the plight of animals is a wonderful, magical thing but if we're not winning the RIGHT hearts and minds, our efforts are only prolonging the inevitable. Not to mention, if our governments are actively working against conservation by profiting off of an industry that is capitalizing on the extinction crisis, we've got our work cut out for us.

It will be interesting to see what kid of backlash Ramaphosa receives from the South African people as the report suggested a majority of citizens would disapprove. Will he brought to justice for his contributions to the endangerment of animals like leopards or giraffes? A president who supports the slaughter of elephants for the highest bidder, despite the fact that elephant populations have dwindled by over 9 million in less than 100 years. A president who has presided during the decimation of his country's animals and now is exposed for profiting off of this extinction crisis? This is inexcusable and he must be brought to justice!

We are witnessing a very dark time for animals on our planet. Arctic drilling is set to begin which will cause irreversible damage to an already fragile ecosystem. Rainforests are disappearing. Forest fires are destroying detrimental habitats for endangered animals. Climate change is melting sea ice putting polar bears and other arctic species at risk of extinction. Knowing the plight of animals and our incredible privileges', how can we stand idly by while animal after animal goes extinct? Our selfishness will ultimately become our undoing.

I will definitely be following this story as details emerge.

HAPPY VEG

This elephant ultimately took 5 bullets before it dropped to its knees and died. 
​Photo Credit - World Animal News