FYI--thought you might find this interesting--From the SCI news letter--with this closure and S Africa doing away with their lion operations--the cost of a lion hunt is going to explode--IMHO--

Ripp

Lion Hunting Closure in Botswana
The hunting season has just ended in Botswana, but SCI has learned that all lion hunting in the future has been suspended by the government. According to sources, the suspension has nothing to do with trophy hunting. The main problem is the unsustainable killing of lions that depredate livestock. SCI has organized and will be attending the annual African Wildlife Consultative Forum, which takes place in two weeks in Mozambique. Wildlife officials from Botswana and many other African nations, along with representatives of the hunting industry, will be attending this year’s meeting to coordinate and discuss issues relevant to the hunting industry. The closure of hunting for lions in Botswana will be discussed and we hope to have more information for you at that time.