For those of you who are not familiar with "canned hunts,"
here is the following information :
"The closing decades of the twentieth century saw the rise of a new kind of "sport" in North America: the "canned hunt." Although canned hunts advertise under a variety of names -- most frequently "hunting preserves," "game ranches," or "shooting preserves" -- they can be identified by the two traits they all have in common: they charge their clients a fee to kill an animal; and they violate the generally accepted standards of the hunting community, which are based on the concept of "fair chase."
In some cases animals may be shot in cages or within fenced enclosures; in others they may be shot over feeding stations; some of the animals are tame and have little fear of humans, while others may be tied to a stake or drugged before they are shot. But whatever method is used, the defining characteristic of a canned hunt is that the odds have been artificially manipulated against the animal so heavily that the notion of fair chase is subverted. Canned hunts are commercial hunts that take place on private land under circumstances that virtually assure the hunter of success."
"Did you know there are over 500 ranches in Texas alone that allow exotic animals like our friends here at WildLife on Easy Street to be hunted down in a fenced or small enclosed area to be shot for a fee? It happens much like ordering off of a menu - maybe a wolf for \$250, a bear for $375 and a tiger for $2000. You see there are many animals that have been auctioned off and sold to "big game" ranches because they were bred for it or abandoned by owners who didn't understand the responsibilities of caring for an exotic animal. Many come to their certain demise on these ranches.
The worse part is in some cases, they are so used to human contact, that they do not even know to run or be afraid. Not only is this cruel, but it also violates any hunters code of ethics, being the animals are enclosed. There is a bill that has been proposed that would end this, but has stalled for lack of action. Please join us in writing our congress people. Simply cut and paste the following letter to your own word processor. Modify it to add your own personal thoughts. Then locate your congressmen here and mail a copy to them. These animals are counting on you to speak for them!"
Dear Congressman,
I have learned of the cruel and brutal practice of hunting down exotic, non-indigenous animals such as tigers, lions, bears and more in enclosed areas on big game ranches in the U.S. for sport. This shows an extreme lack of respect for life and compassion for the dignity of these animals, and a lack of humanity on our parts. Please support Federal legislation such as The Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act (H.R. 1202 in the House and S. 1345 in the Senate) It is desperately needed to stop canned hunts.
Thank you for your support in this urgent matter,
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Many zoos -- even the nation's most prestigious like the National Zoo in Washington ,D.C. (part of the Smithsonian)-- sell their "surplus" animals either directly to canned hunting preserves or to middlemen and dealers who later sell to the hunts.
Because baby animals are popular, zoos continue to breed their animals. But space is limited, and for every baby born an adult animal must leave. Zoos generally claim they do not know what happens to the animals they sell. But some, such as the San Antonio Zoo, sell their animals openly and even include owners of canned hunting facilities on their board of directors. San Antonio Zoological Society board member Betty S. Kelso and her husband Robert own the Auerhahn Ranch in Texas, and have purchased exotic animals directly from the zoo for years.
(Michael Winikoff, "Blowing the Lid off Canned Hunts," HSUS News, Summer 1994)
Based on an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States, the following zoos have sold animals either directly to canned hunts or to dealers who have done business with auctions or hunts.
Email HSUS your comments regarding the HSUS research documenting the fact that this zoo has sold animals to canned hunt preserves or dealers. Insist that the zoo never sell another animal to a canned hunt preserve or dealer. Threaten to boycott this zoo (actually all zoos should be boycotted anyway). Be sure to include your address.
Buffalo Zoological Gardens (NY)
Busch Gardens (FL) Busch Gardens
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CO)
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road Colorado Springs, CO
Either bred in captivity, purchased from animal dealers, or retired from zoos and circuses, these tame animals do not even run when approached by weapon-wielding hunters. Shooting preserves offer guaranteed trophies and advertise as "No Kill, No Pay." The animals are so tame, in fact, that one hunter stated, "Before being harvested,' African lions raised as pets would amble over and lick your hand."
