Born free
2010-08-05
Lise Beyers
THE local lion conservationist, Paul Hart, has had sleepless nights recently, after widespread reports of a tiger up north who went walkabout. The tiger in question, Panjo, jumped off his owner’s bakkie while travelling from their farm near Bronkhorstspruit. Panjo was missing for 48 hours and a terrified local community went behind lock and key during this time. Eventually the ta-me Panjo was sniffed out by a dog, and according to reports, the striped predator was cringing with fear for having been dumped in the wilds. Hart is the curator of the Drakenstein Lion Park and has dedicated his life to creating a sanctuary for captive bred lions. All of Hart’s lions have been rescued from as far afield as Chile in South America, from heinous conditions in zoos, circuses and private residences. “These lions have been living all their lives in the most horrific conditions. Our aim is to bring them into an environment which is as close as possible to their natural habitat. “It is almost impossible to rehabilitate captive bred lions into the wilds. They have never learnt to fend for themselves or hunt for food. “Lions are extremely territorial and a lion which is put back into the wild will never be accepted by a pride, and will then most likely die of hunger or be killed. “When I read about irresponsible people such as the owners of Panjo, my blood really boils. “This is a typical example of people’s ignorance about wild animals. They think they can keep them as exotic pets, by I have so often seen things go wrong. “It is being reported that Panjo is so tame and friendly, but he remains a predator. And even though he is being babied by lazing on couches and being fed T-bone steaks, his primal instincts still run through his veins. “And when these one day kick in and he does injure or even kill somebody, he will be blamed, not his owner.” And what makes Hart as angry as an irritable lion, is the fact that Panjo’s owners plan to breed with him. Hart’s male lions are all sterilised shortly after arriving at the sanctuary and he is dead against captive breeding. “Keeping a tiger in Africa is ridiculous, but breeding with them here, is criminal. “Sanctuaries worldwide are already full to capacity due to irresponsible management of wild animals. “And the possibility that Panjo’s off-spring will one day also be looking for a sanctuary, is extremely likely.”
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