In this episode of The Last Line, James talks to animal welfare campaigner and founder of the Claws Out Campaign, Beth Jennings. The Claws Out Campaign aims to end the exploitation of captive lions in South Africa. There is a clear correlation between the growth of the captive lion industry and the plummeting of wild lion numbers across Africa. The Claws Out Campaign seeks to make volunteers and tourists more aware of the role they are playing in contributing to the lion bone trade and canned hunting industry. 

After volunteering to 'Live with Lion Cubs in South Africa' in 2015, Beth realised that instead of making a contribution to lion conservation, she was actually faced with the harsh reality regarding the treatment of lions throughout the country. On her return to the UK she committed to raise awareness through her experience, aiming to educate potential volunteers about what is really happening within these parks. This grew into The Claws Out Campaign. Alongside her work with The Claws Out Campaign, Beth works for Four Paws International, and, as James and Beth discuss in the podcast, campaigns against the illegal puppy trade in Europe and the dog and cat meat trade in South East Asia.

Claws Out: https://www.claws-out.com

CLAWS OUT: The Truth About Cub Petting (Short Film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el9cSw2BtH4

Four Paws South Africa: https://www.four-paws.org.za/

Born Free Foundation: https://www.bornfree.org.uk/

Blood Lions: https://bloodlions.org/

James's other podcast with musician George Kerridge, Getting Pretentious, can be found at the links below:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/getting-pretentious/id1504881437

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/48GqHY4cQVgTPw9F7EoEuX?si=STXHzOwuTeGzk6_eOpqpWgIf 

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