A group of beaming smiles encircle an impossibly adorable lion cub. They rub its belly and paddle away a flurry of playful swipes while cameras go into overdrive capturing the event. Everything about the combination of cute animals and besotted humans appeals to our moral instincts.
But in the case of captive wildlife our moral intuitions are sometimes rotten to the core.
It is a sad fact of life that many actions causing great harm are motivated by well-intentioned individuals who are either ignorant or armed with defective information. Subsidising institutions that hold animals in captivity appears to be an exquisite example of this kind of immorality. Early this week I felt a metaphorical punch in the guts as I realised my own complicity in the exploitation of Africa’s wildlife.
Last Sunday the Brumbies squad visited a lion park twenty minutes outside of Bloemfontein. The cat enclosures were small (though no smaller than most zoos) and people moved about inside the pens with the cubs and adolescent lions. The level of supervision and management of the interaction between the lions and the visitors appeared woefully unprofessional. But there is a far more sinister side to lion parks than poor facilities and unqualified staff.
As tourists pour into South African in search of an safari experience, lions have been commodified in appalling numbers. So much so that South Africa now has a major overbreeding problem. To combat overpopulation and maximise profits many lions born into captivity are eventually killed by the grotesque practise of canned hunting.
Lions that have never known freedom are released into fenced-off bush-veldt where rich people execute them for pleasure – thus marking the nadir of our failure to protect the wild nature of wildlife.
As a former hunter in South Africa I understand that hunting is indeed an important cog in the conservation of African wildlife. But killing tame lions to make rich South Africans wealthier is ethically reprehensible and completely unsupportable.
The film Blackfish brought worldwide attention to the plight of captive Orcas in SeaWorld theme parks. African cats and indeed all wild animals in captivity desperately need similar attention. Zoos and animal theme parks are born out of the nonsensical idea that animals which lack human intelligence exist for our amusement.
As images and videos of Brumbies players (myself included) began circulating on social media it dawned on me that by attending the lion park we had hitched ourselves to the profiteers of animal cruelty.
This brings my attention to the responsibility that accompanies athletes with an online presence. Being able to connect with a global audience via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram is a relatively recent phenomenon. This connectivity has given us unprecedented capacity to spread ideas and bring attention to important issues.
But this is not how athletes tend to utilise social media. Instead ‘followers’ are subjected to endless pictures of products, promotions and commentary that is all too often best described as drivel.
Is this the best we can do with the privilege of a platform?
SandBox
Roar Guru
Easy to say ME. You know many people capable of doing this?
Mongolian Expat
Guest
Clyde, nice essay as I agree with you, but I would have though actions speak louder than words. Taking the moral high ground, realizing you are doing this and doing nothing about it e.g. you should refuse to participate in the commercial aspects of your employment if you disagree, is the easy way out. Maybe you should practice what you preach?
SandBox
Roar Guru
but we hope we live long enough to not see it, or more importantly, not have to deal with it? For example, by becoming vegetarians. We are not simple is the only thing I have to add. Although Chruchill summed it up with: "The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries."
South African fan
Guest
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/q71/s720x720/10339685_10154192774730517_6581060419186265823_n.jpg
Bunratty
Guest
Yep
Two Eyed Cyclop
Roar Guru
Clyde, well said. We really are not a very nice species, and I fear with our exploitation of every resource on this planet to the detriment of every other living organism, we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Clyde, you were always a player I admired. It appears you're a good bloke too. Thanks for writing that. That's a couple of your pieces I've read now and I enjoyed them both. I look forward to your next.
Ethan
Guest
Well what is a winger to do while waiting for the ball to come? Good to see Clyde has been productive in this time. haha!
Digby
Roar Guru
Fantastic piece, thank you
Takeshi Kovacs
Roar Rookie
I like that! I will be using that at the first opportunity. Thanks :)
Stellenbosched
Guest
Hi Carl, There are only two types of rugby players - forwards and backwards.
Takeshi Kovacs
Roar Rookie
I don't think that Clyde is positing that African nations ignore the economic potential of wildlife/environmental tourism. I think his point may be more directed to criticism of wildlife management. To overbreed a species to the point where they are releasing excess animals into an enclosed space so that some coward can put a bullet in them and feel like he's a courageous hunter ..... Ok, that's getting emotive; my apologies, but I'm sure you get my point. My point is this; whether by design or mismanagement, breeding animals in captivity, finding you then have to cull some of them, and then choosing an option that involves making cash out of people who want to kill them for fun is pretty poor form. Finally, I think Clyde could has a fairly good claim to coming from an African view point as he was born and raised there.
Harry
Guest
An interesting and thought provoking read thank you Clyde. IMO sportspeople are certainly entitled to use their "platform" i.e. the widespread recognition, and standing, they have gleaned from their role as elite, professional 9in most cases) sportspeople as they see fit. If they choose to use this commercially and for product/sponsor promotional purposes, that is fair enough in my book. They are seeking to monetise their temporary sporting fame. Good on them for that. Unlike others above, I have no problem with the likes of JOC pushing multi-vitamins. I do think many (not all) recipients are able to recognise and evaluate sportspeople endorsements and promotions for what they are, and make their decisions accordingly. Although I still remember being disappointed that my game at breakaway did not match Jean Pierre Rives when I bought a pair of adidas boots that he was endorsing in the mid 70's. Your Brumbies team mate David Pocock is not afraid to speak eloquently, and intelligently promote and project his views on several matters of social justice and some political comment. Perhaps because by and large I agree with his views, but IMO they reflect an intelligent individual who, like yourself, thinks about the world. Would people be exposed or interested in David Poock's views if he was not a world class rugby player? Probably not, however again it is entirely within an individual sportsperson how they wish to use their platform of recognition, or privilege as you more accurately describe it.
Takeshi Kovacs
Roar Rookie
Great article Clyde. I will say this though, I'm a bit shocked to hear such thoughtful and well expressed comments from a winger. In my experience, I've usually found forwards (particularly the tight five - the loosies tend to struggle to be understood - It's probably something to do with the foaming mouths) to be the more erudite members of the squad, with the front rowers leading the way. I've always found those 'other' guys, you know - the ones who like hanging around rugby players ...I think they're called 'backs', to be somewhat more.....introspective. Anyhow, a good read and I agree with both of your main points.
Toomuaforpresident
Guest
I was aware of this fact, but I too appreciate you getting this info out there
Dru
Guest
Clyde, there is courage in writing like this. Particularly where it sits outside of your immediate peers. You are to be applauded. This said... There are many situations of domestically bred animals used in hunting around the globe. Pheasants in England come to mind simply as I have seen it. And while a lion is not a pheasant at what point should a line be drawn? Certainly under the circumstances neither are endangered. The shooting of bred animals must surely assist the question of sustainability compared to shooting wild born? Africa (speaking more broadly than RSA here) is entitled to commerce and use of it's natural strengths. It would be culturally questionable (so called first world dictating to the developing as to what they can do) and economically foolish for African sovereign nations to ignore wildlife in their tourism. The concern over shooting I suggest is a personal ethic. It will be shared by many but certainly not all. A discussion regarding cruelty to animals is a different, though implied rather than explained in your article. Whilst I like your willingness to discuss something like this, it does not necessarily mean that I agree with your assertations. It will be interesting to see an African view point.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Nice way to use the platform Clyde.
Wasim Ranamadroota
Roar Pro
Thanks again Clyde, always a pleasure to hear your thoughtful pieces.
Selector
Guest
One guy I would love to have a beer with and talk everything from 'life as a professional athlete' to 'the mysteries of the world' Insightful as always, well done!
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
As always, not your usual 'the boys are feeling really good' piece from Clyde. And isn't it a bit of fresh air to read stuff like this. Something in me cringes whenever I see sportspeople/entertainers flog a product. Does James O'Connor really take Swiss multi-vitamins?!? Perhaps unfortunately I also take with a huge pinch of salt any sportsperson/entertainer endorsing a charity or (gawd help us) a political party or stance. Part of me wonders if it's been set up by their management - 'hey, johnno, your popularity is down in the 18-25 year old demographic. How about supporting PETA?' Another part of me thinks just because someone runs fast, has good hand-eye co-ordination, tells jokes well, sings well or whatever doesn't mean they have a higher moral insight than the local butcher or taxi driver. In theory. But they say in NZ that good people make good All Blacks and I think there is something in that. Guys who get to the very top in sport have something beyond just good ball skills. Or they learn something on the way beyond just ball skills perhaps. Or maybe sport brings out the best in people... at that level. In any case too much 'platform' is already provided to politicians, shock jocks and media moguls. In fact they dominate. If a more 'normal man' has the opportunity to put forward the view of the silent (and sane) majority then all power to them. Bit of rambling post that as usual from me. Bottom line is: onya Clyde. :)