Tourism in Kenya has always been the answer to wildlife conservation – it’s how we finance our parks and reserves. It’s also a major industry in this otherwise developing nation. The Big Five refer to lion, elephant, hippo, buffalo and leopard – the species hunters always wanted to ‘bag’. Thankfully, we banned hunting a while ago and now they are shot only by camera.
Most visitors to Kenya come for the wildlife, scenery and beaches, and nowadays, there is growing interest in cultural and traditional attractions. I learned yesterday that ‘bull fighting’ is to now be promoted as a tourism attraction, a sure winner seeing as it is a tradition from western Kenya where Obama’s father hails.
That this cruel practice is actually against the Animal Welfare Act has not stoppped a certain politican from entering his own bulls into a competition that is slated to take place this sunday at our national sports stadium in Nairobi. If we allow our ministers and our business people to break the law to make money through the suffering of domestic animals, it could be just the beginning of the abuse of wildlife as well – there are strong campaigns ongoing to open up hunting of wildlife which many of us fear will be disasterous. The Animal Welfare Act should protect wildlife and domestic animals alike.
A number of organizations and thousands of individuals are understandably outraged with the planned bull fight as noted by the BBC here and Sheryl has posted information about a petition on her blog ‘Don’t tap on the Glass” here for anyone who feels strongly against bull fighting to sign.
Donations made here are
Jan 28th Sheryl B USD 23.00
7 Comments
I think if this were an elephant bull fight that people would rise up in arms to protest. But since these are cattle and most people consider them to be food – not the sentient, sapient, very gentle animals that they really are – then it’s acceptable to let them suffer cruelty for sport and profit.
It’s a well known fact that people who are taught to abuse non-human animals can just as easily abuse human animals. We should stop all this abuse, including the farming of animals for food, if we’re going to save this damn planet.
Sign the petition!
s.
As stated in Antony’s post – I will sign this petition. Unspeakable!
I’m signing this petition for sure! I think it’s insane that they are doing this on behalf of tourism and Obama. There’s like ten thousand million other things that can be started to honor tourism and Obama…….but Bull Fighting? Insanity!
The bullfight has been called off because of protests: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/501192/-/u0l08h/-/index.html
Activism is a good thing. WE did it!
s.
Beat me to it Sheryl. Great news huh!!! Now if we could just convince the folks in Western Kenya to stop their fights.
if bull fighting is violation on animal rights then equally boxing and wrestling is violation of human rights but if the later is a sport then please and kindly appreciate bull fight as a sport and stop the gymic of animal rights.remember robert wangila napunyi died as a result of boxing bruises he kenya number on boxer.
masingu – there is one major difference between bull fighting and human boxing: people choose to fight as a “sport” (a ridiculous sport at that), animals don’t choose to fight to provide entertainment to selfish humans.
Animal rights is not a “gimmick”. Most animals have no rights and it is because of attitudes like yours that people like me and others here are determined to change that for the benefit of the voiceless animals.