The video also shows a shocking scene of a lioness being shot in full view of her cubs at close range in an enclosed camp from the back of a four-wheel-drive vehicle by so-called "canned-lion" hunters.

This is the immoral and barbaric practice which RÉUNION and many others in South Africa actively campaign against. Because of the high earning potential of canned lion hunting, many South African farmers and breeding operators are heavily involved in this yet-to-be outlawed activity. Bribes are paid on many levels and it has been very difficult to achieve any lasting result by following stipulated governmental protocols to date.

An estimated 6000 lions are currently held on farms throughout South Africa and have come to be treated merely as regular livestock, destined for a painful and bloody death at the hands of greedy farmers who see these majestic animals as nothing other than a cash resource.The turnover achieved in 2004 in the Limpopo Province of South Africa for this type of hunting was declared by officials at 140 million rands.

Linda has managed to establish a protectorate in the Timbavati region where Marah and her three cubs now roam freely for the "First Time" in the land of their origin. Sadly tour operators and hunting camps (with an obvious conflict of interests) in the area are heavily opposed to the survival of the protectorate and are doing whatever lies within their means of influence to get Linda evicted from this property.

Linda has the full support of the local tribal population and spiritual elders of the "Shangaan" Tribe indigenous to the area.

It seems as though the battle for human and animal rights is far from over in South Africa.

RÉUNION is both appalled by the action of these morally bankrupt hunters and breeding operators and support any lawful effort which may bring the practice of "canned lion" hunting to an end. As a reflection of society this activity serves to demonstrate just how far we have strayed in abusing our animals and planet when even the life of Africa's most revered and respected predator, "King of the Beasts" has become a mere consumer commodity.

In the land that gave birth to the concept of "Apartheid" have we not yet learnt to respect each other, our respective beliefs, the world we live in, or the animals with which we share our planet ? It definitely does not seem to be that way !