We glorify the hunter whom we perceive as courageous and wise for his bravery in hunting large and small animals. We admire his confidence in bringing down the fiercest of predators with his tools, craft and disguise. We fail to realize that we are like animals in their wild habitat, the government and other powerful bodies are our hunters with all tools, agenda and strategy.
The tale of bravery has glorified the hunter, making the lion seem like a cruel abomination that must be eliminated on sight. What differentiates the hunter from the untamed beast? Is cohabitation negotiable? Are we Just in the same peak level of food chain, so eliminating and looting the competition is the only way to retain our top spot?
The hunter may be driven by ambition, desire for safety for his own kind or family obligations. He seeks out the lion in its habitat, lure it with juicy promises, ambush it and strike it down either in multitude or on its own. When the lion is no longer there to defend it's family, the cubs are stolen under the guise of protection to be groomed to the hunter's preference and needs. The lioness is whisked away by any means which may include violence, coercion and ambush to forcefully reproduce by the male chosen by the hunter and new handlers in exchange for food and life. This is a regular routine for the hunter and the beginning of the end for the lion.
Slavery is re-branded and introduced to the remaining members of the pride of lions. Regulations are set on the habitat for the lions as there may not be any visible shackles but they are confined to an area where they must not wander from else they become threats that must be annihilated on sight because they are savages that don't fit into our society. The lion has all the land with all the resources but is still at the mercy of the hunter for it's needs.
Slowly the lion loses its pride, it's food is prepared to the hunter's and his people's preference. With time the lion learns that it's roar of discomfort only means more misery for it. The lion finally learns to be quiet and accept all that comes because the scale of justice is permanently tilted to the hunter's side.
Fighting for the rights of the lion brands the activists as irrational, nuisance and ignorant. When the lion kills or fight in defense to its life and family it is cruel but when the society does so, it's self defense and community service. The lion is tired and wants to go back to its habitat of peace and equity but it's too late because the hunter and his people have stolen from his land and it's resources and will only allocate a portion depending on the lion's ability and value.
