I'm not lion.

[arewethereyet]

I really don’t think that MGM created a market for lion pelts. And - as much as I despise trophy hunting - not all lion kills are the work of poachers. Not now, and certainly not in 1939.

And you’re still assuming the lion was killed to make the costume. 

Boru

People kill animals for their pelts because they can make money from selling the pelts. No demand, less killing. People kill 5,000 pound rhinos for their horns, the rest is left to rot in the veldt.

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Some googling around to various sites it appears that the costume was made from both lion pelt(s) and human hair.  In order to match colors on the entirety of the costume, various pieces were stitched together.  Due to color variations and scarring I would imagine it would be difficult to find a perfect one off to make the costume out of.   I can't find anywhere that says a lion, or lions, was/were killed and skinned solely to make a costume to fit Mr. Lahr.  

The movie was made 80 years ago.  Today a costume could be made that would look better than the real thing used when the movie was made.

Wait - why is this an issue? ...now?

The casual attitude carries through.

Please explain.

An 80+ year old movie had a costume made of an animal pelt...it most likely wouldn't happen today for various reasons.