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Brent Stirton's Image
A worker cleans the skin from a freshly shot lioness.
Proponents of canned hunting argue that local people are employed both directly and indirectly (eg hotels, catering, transport). The hunter will take the skin and skull home as trophies. The other bones will be exported to the Far East for use in traditional Chinese medicine. While legal, this practice has dramatically increased the illegal trade of wild lion bones, especially now that tiger bones are so scarce. It will also increase the potential illegal trafficking of all other felids.
Behind the lens
Brent Stirton
South Africa
Brent is a Senior Correspondent for Getty Images. He does most of his work for National Geographic Magazine, focusing on the intersection of humans and the environment.
Image details
- Canon EOS-1D X
- 24–70mm f2.8 lens
- 1/250 sec at f14
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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