Lion Interactions & Selfies Just Aren't Cool

Nathan Friesen is a native of Winnipeg, MB and a travel junkie. He loves nature and wildlife; Wanderlust is his drug. Having traveled to Africa twice with plans to return, the conservation of endangered species - particularly Big Cats -has become an important issue to him. As the creator of Wilderness and Wanderlust, he hopes to promote Ethical Tourism that leaves a positive impact on wildlife, nature and local cultures.

Photo ©Nathan Friesen -- Chobe National Park, Botswana

"There is truly something special about experiencing truth in nature, like a wild animal in its natural habitat."

It just isn't cool having your picture taken with a wild animal in captivity. They're not truly wild, and in order to experience that you need to go out in the wild! Having just recently joined Instagram at the urging of some good friends I've begun to experience some frustration with some of the images people post. Now I'm not in a position to judge, but with the information that is available out there it is inexcusable for people to still be posting selfies with Lion and Tiger cubs. Two & a half years ago I made the same mistake. However, after finding out the tragedy of what happens to these hand reared cubs I've become involved with some amazing groups that raise awareness about the truth of where these cubs end up. That truth, sadly enough is at the end of a Trophy Hunters gun or bow & arrow. After finding this out I began to get involved with groups such as PACH (People Against Canned Hunting), and CACH (Campaign Against Canned Hunting) among others in order to help raise awareness by telling my story with the #WheresRicky campaign. This morning I noticed a young man in a selfie with a lion on Instagram using the hashtag #BanTrophyHunting. It's a very contradictory statement, as he is actually contributing to and in a way supporting the Trophy and Canned Hunting industry. Just search #Lion or #Lions on Instagram and you'll find many people who still think it's cool to have a picture with a lion. Like me two & a half years ago, I am going to assume they are uneducated on the subject of Canned Hunting and Cub Petting and have fallen for the lies told by these Lion farms that they are contributing to the conservation of these animals. It took making the same mistake for me to learn the truth. However, there is more information out there now then ever and people need to take responsibility for their actions.

Photo ©Nathan Friesen -- The Lion & Rhino Nature Reserve, South Africa

This same frustration had been experienced in the past with certain travel bloggers who write posts about how great Walking With Lions is, or a certain Lion farm is a great place to play with cubs or to see an entire pride of White Lions. An entire pride of White Lions is unnatural and only comes through unethical breeding and pretty much any form of interaction with Lions is associated with the Canned/Trophy Hunting Industry. A true breath of fresh air in the world of Travel Bloggers is Indiana Jo who wrote a great article on Bullfighting in Spain and compares it with Trophy Hunting. I've followed her blog for awhile because she is a true inspiration to me having quit her job in her mid 30's to travel the world. But it was only recently that I came across this article which I would encourage people to read. It is written very intelligently and from experience. If only others would follow in her path. Read Indiana Jo's piece here: http://indianajo.com/2014/02/bullfighting-in-spain.html

Photo ©Nathan Friesen -- Chobe National Park, Botswana

There is no greater feeling than experiencing an animal in the wild where it belongs. I remember the first time I saw a Lion in Kruger National Park South Africa. I was overcome with awe and amazement. Yes, Lions sleep 20+ hours a day, but they are so beautiful and wonderful I could watch them for hours, even when they are doing nothing. I've since seen them in a number of other places in the wild and the amazement never goes away. This past March whilst in the jungle of India I got to experience the incredible feeling of being near a Tiger in the wild. We came across a Tigress with 3 cubs who were laying in the bushes just off the road. I was in awe, began to hyperventilate and cried tears of joy. Tigers have always been my favourite animal and to see one so close in the wild brought a feeling over me that is unexplainable. I'll never forget my friend Paul and I hugging after they walked across the road and disappeared into the bush on the other side of the road. Paul being at least 20 years older then me said he had never experienced such a feeling in his life either.

Photo ©Paul Chamberlain -- Tiger in India

My point with this is that there is truly something special about experiencing truth in nature like a wild animal in its natural habitat. In the past I've visited zoos, and even made the horrible mistake of a trip to Seaworld in my early 20's. As documentaries such as Blackfish and The Cove came out and showed how these animals are taken from their families and how they are really treated I've refused to visit places with animals in captivity. Although I still would if it is a truly ethical reserve or sanctuary. The latest film to come out and expose how Lions are farmed in South Africa is one I am very excited about as it is going to blow the roof off the Lion farming and Canned Hunting industry in South Africa. Blood Lions is truly a film for anyone with an interest in Lions and Big Cats to see. It will hopefully change the world's view on Cub Petting as Blackfish has done towards Seawoeld and The Cove has done for many who wanted to swim with dolphins.

Photo ©Nathan Friesen -- group of Lions lazing in Namibia

I'd encourage people to research any form of animal interaction before doing it, whether you crave to swim with a Dolphin or pet a Lion. You'll find that doing so is purely a selfish choice and not good for the conservation of the animals. If you want to swim with Dolphins, get your scuba certification and search them out in the ocean to dive with in their habitat. And if you want a picture with a Lion, get one out in the wild from the safety of your vehicle while on safari in the wild. These are experiences that cannot compare and will help to keep the animals where they belong, which is in the wild.

Remember – Lion Selfies Are Just Not Cool.

For more information about Nathan and his travles + adventures around the globe, please visit his website Wilderness and Wanterlust.

#lions #Africa #SouthAfrica #Botswana #NationalPark #Lioness #Ethical #SaveLions