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Lion attack in California.
13 years ago
General
Today a woman was killed while working in the enclosure of a four year old male lion at a sanctuary out side Fresno, California. This lion was hand raised by this sanctuary since he was 8 weeks old and accustom to people. I have two distinctly different perspectives but only one opinion on the subject. Having both five years as a volunteer at the largest big cat sanctuary in north america, and a lion fursona, these cats are noting to fuck around with. I was on my toes and focused at all times. These cats are smart, fast, and quiet. You are no match in any way to these apex predators. As for the details of the accident, no one knows why she was in the enclosure or how the lion got to her. I'm sure it was an error on someones part. The point that I can't stress enough is that these are not pets. They are not safe even in the type of environment required by the state fish and game department. I hear people all the time talking about wanting a big cat as a pet. Big cats cannot be legally held in private hands in all but a few states. This is something that I hope to see changed in the future. Keeping the population in private hands down is better for everyone including the animals in question. Most of the rescues my sanctuary went on where awful. Very few people have the equipment, space, food, and infrastructure to keep a large cat safely yet breeding and cub sales goes on everyday. Most end up being euthanized. Its an awful problem in this country that needs to be solved. There are more tigers in private hands in the state of Texas than exist in the wild. I'm not talking about legitimate sanctuaries and zoos. I'm talking about people keeping them as pets or using them for things like photo ops with people. If you must have a lion or tiger to hug, get a plush or inflatable. Leave the living tigers to zoos and the wild where they belong. I know your fursona is a big cat, I also know very few here have any experience working with big cats and really understand what they are capable of.
My thoughts
People and Sanctuaries that breed cats for resale and for the benefit of receiving more donations should be outlawed.
So called 'sanctuaries' that breed are the worst offenders
Aside from the animal being killed in the process of recovering the persons body...why is this situation any different? The lady did something extremely careless and stupid, and paid for it with her life. It is sad for both human and animal alike, but that is all. There are lessons to learn here, but simply taking the stance that what happened should be illegal, is way less intelligent.
Every day, 10 people drowned in swimming pools. Nobody suggests swimming pools be banned.
Every day, 2 people die from accidental suicide while masturbating. People just laugh.
Every day, 1-2 people die from falling out of bed. Nobody suggests beds be banned.
Once a week, a child is killed by a 5 gallon bucket. Nobody suggests 5 gallon buckets should be banned.
Every 2 weeks, someone is killed by a Dog. Where's the outcry to ban Dogs? (over 1000 people a year require emergency medical treatment for dog bites)
Every 2 weeks, someone is killed by Ants. Why isn't the government doing more about them?
Once a month, someone gets killed by a vending machine. Nobody seems to want vending machines banned.
Every 3 months, someone dies while riding a roller coaster. Theme parks cannot seem to build them fast enough.
Once a year, at most, someone is killed by a captive Big Cat. Public outcry, political campaigns, special investigations, all decree that Big Cats should be banned.
There is something TERRIBLY wrong with our society.
These animals are dangerous, so are dogs, and cars, and buckets, and vending machines, and beds, and masturbation and a LOT of other things.
But sure...lets ban these animals, lets save 1 life a year, at most, because after all...1 has to count for something right?