Ethiopian lion cubs poisoned

2006-11-22 11:21

Addis Ababa - Rare Abyssinian lion cubs are being poisoned at a zoo in Ethiopia because staff cannot afford to keep them, says a wildlife official.

Muhedin Abdulaziz, the administrator at the Lion Zoo in the capital, Addis Ababa, said: The dead cubs were sold to taxidermists for $170 each to be stuffed and sold as ornaments.

Abdulaziz said: "These animals are the pride of our country. We need to do something about this. But, our only alternative right now is to send them to the taxidermist."

Wildlife experts estimated that only 1 000 Ethiopian lions, which were smaller than other lions, remained in the wild.

Emperors 'fascinated by lions'

Ethiopia's lions, famous for their black manes, were the country's national symbol and adorned statues and the local currency.

Ethiopia's emperors were long fascinated by lions, part of their connection with Solomon, the lion of Judah. Despite a recent crackdown, hunters also killed the animals for their skins, which could fetch $1 000.

According to Abdulaziz, it costs about $6 000 a month to run the zoo, but it only received $5 000 in revenues from entrance fees.

He added that the poisoning had been going on at least since he arrived two years ago; the number of cubs killed was not immediately clear.

Abdulaziz said federal wildlife officials monitored the poisoning, which was painless. The zoo was a popular local attraction, although poor facilities had led to concerns by international wildlife organisations.

It was built in 1948 by Emperor Haile Selassie and had 16 adult lions and five cubs. All the cubs that were poisoned were the offspring of the adult lions.

- AP