Lions, Bones and Bullets is a character-driven documentary feature directed by Anton Leach and Peter Egan. The film takes us along as the narrator reveals the real intention of lion trophy hunting: manufacturing traditional Chinese medicine. The increasing demand has led to the mass domestication of African wildlife and the exploitation of workers and consumers, which poses a health risk to people.
The predators are farmed in South Africa; estimates show domesticated lions are four to five times more in number compared to wild ones. In 2019, the Southern African government reclassified lions and other wild species as farm animals through amended legislation. The documentary narrates how the lion farming industry adapted and thrived after losing most of the trophy hunting clients and the US boycott that came right after.
Richard Peirce, the producer of the film and the investigator, explains that lion farming and lion bones businesses involve cruelty, exploitation, injustice, fraud, corruption, and the biggest concern is the threat to wild lion populations. Lions are crucial to the natural balance of the African wild, and whatever happens to the lion population impacts the future of wild animals in Africa.
The director, Anton Leach, says that Lions, Bones and Bullets is a story that should be on the lips of every concerned person. In his career as a wildlife documentary director, he was surprised to realize that many people didn’t know that lion farming is a booming industry. While trophy hunting is slowly fading amid the demand for lion bones, lion farming is taking over. The film invites the world to see and rethink its relationship with nature and wildlife.
The South African government has established lion farms to generate revenue through lion skeleton exports. Richard follows the trail, from South African farms to street dealers in Laos and Vietnam. Through the investigation, we learn that lion bones are passed off as tiger bones to be used as tiger products consumed in Chinese medicine. The film's direction and narration are impressive and satisfying, while the story is saddening on how humans have become the biggest threats to nature.
Can this documentary be used in a library education program?
Lions, Bones and Bullets can be used in a library education program dealing with wildlife conservation and the need to protect African animals.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
Wildlife management and biology subjects can benefit from using Lions, Bones and Bullets. It is also suitable for subjects dwelling on law and governance, referring to the South African government and economic classes, addressing the profits, extortion, and corruption in the industry. If you are an academic librarian for a university with any of these programs, you should consider adding this film.