Poison Takes Toll On Africa's Lions

Kenyan Cattle Herders Are Using The American Pesticide Furadan To Kill The Predators

(CBS)  This story was first published on March 29, 2009. It was updated on July 25, 2009.

We all grew up learning that the lion is the king of the jungle. And now that we're not little any more, we know just how vulnerable they are. In fact, when exposed to man's devices, lions are extremely fragile.

The latest weapon being used against them is poison. As 60 Minutes first reported last March, African herders whose livestock and livelihood are threatened by lions are killing them in the most effective and economical way they can.

And overwhelmingly, that is by using a cheap American chemical called Furadan. It is marketed as a pesticide, to be used for protecting crops. But it's bought by many to kill animals. And that’s one reason why, conservationists say, Africa's lions are in trouble.

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More Information: Living with Lions

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Correspondent Bob Simon took a journey through the bush in Kenya to find out what's going on. We learned that 20 years ago, there were some 200,000 lions in Africa. Today, there are 30,000 and the numbers are going down all the time.

Lions are being poisoned at a staggering rate in Kenya, and there's little chance cubs outside the wildlife reserves there will make it to adulthood.

Dr. Laurence Frank, of the University of California Berkeley, told Simon he believes that poison, combined with other threats, will make the lion in Africa extinct.

Frank has been following lions for the last 30 years, looking for ways to keep them alive. While 60 Minutes was there, Alayne Cotterill, his colleague, needed to put a new collar on a lioness named Mara. She darted her and put her to sleep.

Cotterill and Frank had less than an hour to do their work before Mara would wake up. A sleeping lion is a deceptively gentle creature. Her coat, which looks exquisitely smooth, is actually quite rough to the touch.

Seeing Mara's claws retracting into soft, padded paws, you understand why she is such an efficient killer. But actually, she may be more afraid of us than we are of her.

"They're very unlikely to attack us," Cotterill explained. "There's been so many years of conflict with people in this area, it's almost hardwired into their systems to be terrified of people."

And with good reason: over the millennia, people have speared, shot and trapped lions. Today, the primary culprit appears to be poison.

"We know of 30-plus poisonings just in this area in the last five or six years. We have data on another 35 or 40 poisonings in our other study area, elsewhere in Kenya. But that's gotta be just the tiny tip of the iceberg," Dr. Frank told Simon.

Mara is part of a pride which lives on Claus Mortensen's ranch. Five years ago he found out just how devastating poison can be when he discovered that another of his prides had gone missing.

"After a few days, vultures were seen circling on our northern boundary there. And we went out and we found first one lion, then another, and then another," Mortensen remembered.

Seven lions in all had perished. The lions had been vomiting and there were no bullet wounds.

Mortensen said he was sure the lions had been poisoned and suspects that Furadan was responsible. It's one of the most toxic pesticides sold in Kenya, widely available and hard to detect because it dissipates quickly in poisoned animals. Lab tests, he says, ruled out any other poison.

So why would anyone want to poison these glorious creatures? The first thing you need to know is that 70 percent of the country's wildlife is found outside the protected game reserves, on Kenya's vast plains, where wild animals and cattle mingle. Lions are there too, and that's where the trouble begins. The lions attack and eat the cattle.

The area is inhabited by the Maasai people, who always had a way of dealing with that. The young men went out hunting lions with spears; it was a rite of passage. Antony Kasanga was one of them.

Asked what it means for a young Maasai man to kill a lion, Kasanga told Simon, "It makes you famous. You get the whole community to know you, because you killed a lion….If you had one girlfriend, you get 20 more."

It's more than just having 20 girlfriends: killing lions protects cattle, the very foundation of the Maasai’s existence.

When a cow is killed by a lion, Kasanga said it's a disaster.

And Kasanga's job now is to avert that disaster and save the lion at the same time. He is a leading member of the Lion Guardians, a group of reformed Maasai warriors who keep track of collared lions and warn herders when the lions get too close to their cattle.

[Brandywine33]

This is really a tragic story about these lions being poisoned so cattlemen in Africa can protect their cattle. I raise goats in America so I realize the need to protect them from predators, so I use a Great Pyrenees dog which is very effective. What comes next after these herdsmen kill all the lions? Kill all the chettas, leopards, hyenas, etc., etc? Then the grazers are going to grow so out of control that their cattle will have little if anything to eat. So what then, go further and kill all the wild grazers? This world will probably and surely get to the point that all is left, aside from pets and animals in zoos, are humans and what lifestock they think they can make money off of because all the wild animals will be gone that once lived in the wild.

Here in America years ago farmers tried to kill off the wolf population to protect cattle, but that only allowed the coyote population to explode to the point that they are now well out of control. There are ways to protect livestock without actually resorting to killing other animals. If these African herdsmen are allowing the cattle to roam with no protection then they are being very irresponsible and reckless. But I have seen on some nature shows where some tribes did have Massai(sp?) dogs, so that is better. They say Tigers will be extinct in a very few years, so now it sounds as though lions may be also. I guess then the chettas and leopards will be on the chopping block as well. When will humans ever stop?

[wyo_biologist]

There is little incentive for native peoples to protect wildlife as they receive little or no income from eco-tourism. Lions killing cattle in Kenya represents an economic loss to the owner(s) of the predated livestock - native or otherwise. If these lions have no economic value, then they have no future outside of the National Parks within Kenya or any of the African range states that have lion populations and those lions that live in the fringe areas of the Parks and venture outside are DOA as well - these animals don't recognize political boundaries. In those countries that have established sustainable harvest quotas for mature (6+ years of age or older) male lions, the lion has tremendous economic value, with the hunting thereof providing a source of employment for local natives and, perhaps more importantly, a source of hard currency associated with each lion harvested. Where African wildlife outside of the National Parks has an economic value directly related to the hunting industry, wildlife thrives and the local communities have a vested interest in ensuring that the wildlife populations are protected from poaching and illegal harvest. Countries such as Kenya that have banned hunting have removed the economic incentives necessary to protect the native wildlife and said wildlife has virtually disappeared from those areas outside of the parks. Moreover, any animals that venture outside of these parks are fair game for poachers plying the bushmeat trade and, in the case of lions, from livestock owners trying to protect their herds from depredation. In order for wildlife to co-exist with man, particularly in the developing nations, the wildlife must have value and must contribute to the local economy thereby giving the native peoples in these regions an incentive to preserve and protect their wildlife heritage. Robert M. Anderson, Certified Wildlife Biologist

[okiror]

There sure has to be a more humane way to kill them.

[FirebirdAvenger]

So because the cattle raisers don't bother to fence in their animals, all the other wildlife have to suffer as a result? Why don't they have cattle ranches? Maybe they could legislate this in Kenya. Cattle belong on ranches, not running wild with lions and hyenas and other predators. So because the cattle owners are too lazy or stupid to fence the animals they depend on for a living, they think it's okay to poison lions (and everything else). Guess they never learned that's how nature works. Well, they need to be educated.

Is every stupid mistake mankind ever made in its economic development to be repeated in Africa? How long will it be before the rivers are as polluted as the Potomac used to be, the air is as polluted as the LA area has been, and you can only find African animals in zoos, because the people were too ignorant, lazy, or stupid to handle things more responsibly?

If the loss of just one cow is such an economic disaster, then they should fence them in ranches, not letting them run free in the wild. If the people can't figure this out for themselves,can't someone teach them, like USAID? Why does this continue? Of course they'll take the cheapest way out to exercise their anger and vengeance, by poisoning the cadavers with some pesticide - which the shopowners laugh about.

Here it would be a crime to do that. Why are Africans not educated and held to the same standard if the animals they raise are so important to their survival (not to mention bringing in a lot of tourist money to their countries)?

[sfwindowwasher]

If you really want to affect FMC and get the company to discontinue the manfacturing of such a distainful chemical (isn't that why we banned DDT?) it would be to let them know that you will sell any stocks you have with them or any related company of theirs. Stock holders hate to hear this type of information...and...that gets them where it hurts...their bottom line! If you want action, take action on your part! Call your investor and do homework to see which stocks you are really part of. FMC could be "hidden" in with some other companies...so you may have to be a pest about it. You may be investing in their company and not even be aware of it! Take action to apply pressure to FMC to discontinue the manufacturing of this deadly, toxic product! If the masses unite, you WILL make a difference!

[allthingsanimal]

Boycott all things from FMC Corp. Sell your stock. Let's send a message to FMC Corp to STOP production of Furadan or anything similar before this goes beyond killing Lions in Africa! Share this message. Get the word out. Make it happen!

[kc201]

These people support hunting lions but not poisoning them! More lucrative?

http://www.africanconservation.org/dcforum/DCForumID5/291.html

"Frank said the best way to ensure the lion's survival would be to allow a few of them to be shot for money. Big game hunters will pay $50,000 or more to bag a single, mature male, he said, making lions far more valuable to the local economy than cattle or even tourism.
Frank said the reauthorization of hunting had been discussed by the Kenyan government but had made little headway.

[tecumseh2009]

I watched your episode on the killing of the lions by using Furadan in Kenya on march 3, 2009. I understand the people depend on their cattle for survival but if the animals are so important then why do they let them "out of their sight" to stray? it seems the people are irresponsible. of course, the lions for the sake of survival are going to kill unsupervised cattle. how can we band the use of furadan internationally? also, in some countries they use dogs to keep sheep from straying. have they tried this method? thank-you for televising this story.

[pennylight]

Kenya could learn from it's neighbors in Botswana
Check out the lions of Moremi
www.moremi.earth-touch.com

[Keepers_of_the_Wild]

I believe the Kenyan government is at fault for not protect these magnificent creatures and their natural heritage. It is time to start boycotting their tourist industry and hit them in the pocket, maybe then they?ll get it.

[ericafelid]

I comemnd CBS and 60 Minutes for making the effort to bring the Lion/herder poisoning issue to light. Many people do not realize the critical issues facing many species that are imperiled. We need more regular documentaries and news pieces to focus attention on these issues as many species, millions of years in the making are at risk of extinction at man's hands just in the past 100 years. We should be appaled and moved to more intense action to save them. Human-wildlife confilct, habitiat destuction and fragmention, poaching: these are all ways in which our precious wildlife treasures are at risk. We have a mandate to save them.

We need more regular updates on the status of different species around the world.

[Eagle2009]

Many Bald Eagles and other raptors have suffered mass poisonings with cheap American chemical called Furadan, now African Lions are suffering the same fate! Several years ago Furadan was responsible for the mass kills of bald eagles in Wisconsin and other states when it was illegally used to poison predators such as coyotes.

Furadan is a very regulated pesticide toxin, but even in the US it is bought by many to kill predators.

[crtweb]

Trying to get this company to stop selling Furadan in Africa would be futile... if they are committed to stop the use of Furadan from killing lions, but still want to sell Furadan in Africa for its intended use, why infuse an intense odor in Furadan in the manufacturing process that is repugnant to carnivores? There has to be an alternative!

[KariMari]

I appreciate FMC's efforts to remove Furadan from Kenya and other neighboring countries for use in poisoning lions and other animals. I can only imagine the impact this poison would have on the African echo system if this product remained available for use. Why don't they consider removing Furadan permanently from any market in the world. It's disgusting not to mention scary to think how easily this product can be misused to harm other living creatures...including humans.

[hat1999hat]

It's really because of narcissistic people in places of power, with lots of money that have been allowing inequities in every country including the US.

People with self-centered arrogant agendas, usually greed at the top that do these kinds of things are sick, irresponsible to other humans and to God's nature, put here for use, but not abuse; we are to be "stewards" of creation, This evil must stop.

Harold A. Treinen, CMA

[Kansas58]

As posted previously, the Marxist leader of Kenya gained power through violent riots and murder.
Obama also helped Odinga gain power, in Kenya!

Odinga does not care about the environment, most Marxists don't!

Look at South Africa and Rhodesia, under leftist rule!
Look at China and the former USSR!

Tree huggers in the United States are being used by Communists to take over the country.

However, after the Reds take over, the tree huggers get thrown under the bus!

Free market solutions, such as paying the tribes for their livestock lost by lions, is the ONLY think that will work.

There are PLENTY of poisons out there, and if you make this one illegal, or render it not useful, another poison, such as anti freeze, will take its place!

Obama traveled ALL OVER Kenya, to help get the Marxist, Odinga, elected.

Neither Obama NOR Odinga has done a darn thing to "save the lions" ---

You lefties are amusing!

You love to "blame America First" but you will never, ever, blame Communism for any of the worlds problems!

[traveler131]

FMC's conduct in Africa with Furadan is unconscionable. To ship a known tasteless, ordorless poison capable of killing apparently every living thing with the excuse that it's needed to kill insects is like saying those in I. G. Farben who made Zyclon B for the Nazis only made the poison because it was a wartime necessity. I thought that export of known hazarous materials outside the US to get around US regulations was illegal. The FMC executives should be forced to eat their own odorless, tasteless poison.

[babygirl_jojo2011]

they should just stop posioning the animals because i saw a video today that showed a dead lioness who was pregnant with 5 babies and it was so sad i cried. if you stop and think about it the animals were here before we ever were. . .

[foranimals]

Chemical companies have convinced American farmers that the only way to grow crops is with their poisons. For years they have been doing the same thing to poverty stricken countries. They have manufactured genetically altered seed and pesticides that will assure that these countries will remain dependent on the chemicals and thus maintain the profits of the companies selling these poisons. Why not teach and promote sustainable agriculture? There's no need for these chemicals to be used for anything. The problems with the cattle being attacked by the lions is certainly a great problem to the herders - but there are humane ways of dealing with those problems. This earth and all life on this earth is in desperate need of protection.

Thank you,

Iris Mead
Augusta, Ga. 30904

[stephenweinstein]

I think that FMC should add a substance that tastes extremely bad to Furadan. This would not hurt its use as a pesticide meant to protect crops; in fact, it might help, by discouraging the eating of the crops. However, adding a extremely bad taste would prevent Furadan's misuse as a poison. Also, it would prevent accidental poisonings.

At one time, natural gas (methane) could reach dangerous levels and explode without being detected because, like Furadan, it has no natural taste or odor. Today, a trace amount of another substance is added to natural gas, which makes it extremely easy to smell, so that persons can smell a gas leak and evacuate before an explosion occurs.

Similarly, if something was added to Furadan that gave it an extremely bad taste, then neither humans nor animals would eat it. This would prevent both its misuse (for killing lions, etc.) and accidental poisoning if it contaminated food meant for humans.

[FirebirdAvenger]

That's a great idea! Send it to your senator, congressmen, as well as FMC. Don't forget the media (letters to editor and such). Comments like this are helpful.