"Domesticated for 20 Years by Private Ranchers"
Internationally Endangered Species Level 2... Some Criticize Authorities' Response
Criticism is emerging over the authorities' immediate decision to shoot and kill the female lion 'Sasuni' that escaped from a private ranch in Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk. Questions are being raised about whether Sasuni could have been captured alive using tranquilizer darts or capture nets after sitting in the shade of the forest for about 20 minutes.
"So tame that people could pet her... Did she have to die bleeding?"
On the morning of the 14th, a female lion that escaped from a ranch in Deokgok-myeon, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk, fled to the mountains and was shot dead by a hunter. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 14th, Animal Rights Action Kara cited the ranch owner who raised Sasuni, stating, “Sasuni was raised by human hands for over 20 years since she was a cub and was very attached to people,” making this claim. The ranch owner had previously described Sasuni as “a gentle creature who could be petted by people without any problem.”
Kara further criticized the authorities' response, saying, “After the nearby camping site visitors had evacuated, Sasuni was sitting quietly without showing any aggression. It is heartbreaking that she had to die bleeding simply because she was a wild beast, without any careful consideration.”
Earlier, Sasuni was found in a nearby forest about 20 meters away after escaping through an open gate of the ranch's enclosure at 7:24 a.m. on the 14th. She rested quietly in the forest for about 20 minutes.
However, the police and fire department decided to shoot Sasuni out of concern for human safety. Sasuni was shot by a hunter and died instantly on the spot. It was just 1 hour and 10 minutes after her escape.
According to Kara, Sasuni showed no resistance until the decision to shoot was made, and about 70 people staying at the nearby camping site had already evacuated.
According to the Ministry of Environment's 'Standard Response Manual for Animal Escapes,' the best solution is to have the escaped animal return to its original enclosure. However, depending on the level of danger and surrounding circumstances, tranquilization or shooting may be decided.
A female lion confined for 20 years... shot dead within an hour of escape
On the morning of the 14th, a female lion that escaped from a ranch in Deokgok-myeon, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk, is seen resting in the shade of the forest. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Sasuni had lived confined in a small enclosure for 20 years, and her breeding environment was very poor. Kara pointed out, “Even considering her old age, Sasuni's body was very thin,” and added, “Inside the enclosure, there were no enrichment tools or any objects to ensure Sasuni's minimum welfare, only a cement floor.”
This is why there is speculation that Sasuni escaped to find shade in the forest to avoid the heat. Kara stated, “After escaping, Sasuni quietly sat in the forest right next to the ranch. It is hard to shake the thought that she just wanted to lie down in the shade of a tree on the dirt ground, behaving like a wild animal.”
It is regrettable that Sasuni was shot dead after it was confirmed she belonged to the 'Panthera leo' species, classified as an International Endangered Species Level 2. This subspecies of lion inhabits West Africa, northern Central Africa, and India, with a population of fewer than 250 individuals.
Kara criticized, “Sasuni should have been an individual that could not be legally bred. However, since the relevant law was enacted in 2005, Sasuni, who had been bred before then, could not be retroactively subjected to the law, resulting in a policy blind spot where she was legally bred as private property.”
However, the ranch owner expressed the position that “I did not raise Sasuni because I wanted to.” He explained, “Last year, I took over the ranch to raise cattle by grazing, but when I came, there were two lions, and the male lion had died before I took over.”
He added, “I inquired with the Environmental Agency about how to handle the lions and requested donation or lending to zoos, but due to concerns about dominance fights among wild beasts possibly killing other lions in the zoos, all refused. The previous owner also wanted to dispose of them.”
Meanwhile, the shot Sasuni is currently stored in the freezer at the Goryeong Environmental Facility Management Office. The disposal of the carcass will be decided after consultation with the Daegu Regional Environmental Office.
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