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The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) found the ‘Shoot a Lion’ campaign offered by a private school in the Northern Cape “appalling and deeply concerning”.

The animal welfare organisation condemned the ludicrous fundraising auction held by the little-known school in Jan Kempdorp, which offered a “lioness hunt” worth R40,000 as a prize. The package supposedly includes two night’s accommodation in Tosca and a hunting permit.

The prize is a way for the school Futurum Akademie to raise money and was being advertised to take place on February 29, TimesLIVE reported. Dirk van Wyk, whose number was listed on a flyer about the auction, told Netwerk24 that the small school did not receive a state subsidy and needed to raise funds.

With all the heat from animal lovers, the school seems to have caved and agreed to swap out the lioness hunt for bagging two buffaloes instead.

Image: Futurum Akademie

However, the NSPCA is still alarmed:

“This compromise fails to rectify the fundamental ethical issues at hand. Our goal is to foster a future where animals are not viewed as mere commodities for human financial gain but as sentient beings deserving of dignity and respect,” it said.

The NSPCA further stated that it is upsetting to see an educational institution – which is supposed to mould young minds and set core values and attitudes – getting involved in something like this.

The NSPCA has long stood against the captive lion industry and has advocated for the welfare of thousands of captive lions for over two decades, it said.

“The NSPCA unequivocally opposes the hunting of animals for exhibition, entertainment, or sport. While acknowledging the role of hunting in South Africa as part of sustainable wildlife management, and despite claims of a ‘clean kill’, our experience suggests that such outcomes are rare,” said the NSPCA.

van Wyk argued that “Everything is legal. All the paperwork is in order and all the necessary permits are available,” he said.

“There are many schools and organisations that annually host such auctions to raise money.”

Just because other people do it doesn’t mean it’s right. Just because it’s framed as a ‘cultural’ thing, doesn’t mean it’s a good thing.

Anyway, van Wyk confirmed that the school offered to drop the lion-hunting package after being confronted by animal activists.

[source:timeslive]