Moves to immediately end captive-bred lion industry welcomed

SOUTH Africa will adopt policy decisions for the immediate halt to the sale of captive lion derivatives, the hunting of captive bred lions and tourist interactions with captive lions.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy yesterday announced the recommendations of the Ministerial High-Level Panel, appointed to review policies related to hunting, trade, captive keeping, management and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. Creecy received the 25-member panel report in December, which was approved by Cabinet last week.

Creecy yesterday said that the majority consensus would be implemented where the panel recommends that South Africa does not captive breed lions, keep lions in captivity, or use captive lions or their derivatives commercially. She requested the department action this accordingly and ensure that the necessary consultation for implementation is conducted.

Key recommendations include developing a process to halt and reverse the domestication of lions through captive lion keeping, breeding, and commercial use, putting in place ethical and humane procedures for euthanasia of existing captive lions and engagement with other departments to identify mechanisms to protect employment of workers on captive lion facilities.

“The report contains a clear vision, with 18 goals and 60 recommendations. It is remarkable that a group of people with different views on the management of these iconic species was able to achieve consensus on all recommendations, except those recommendations that deal with captive lion and rhino breeding,” Creecy said.

In terms of captive rhino, the panel makes clear recommendations how partnership with private owners of rhino can lead to strong conservation outcomes for the species, while enhancing potential benefit streams.

“We have accepted that the country adopt the recommended positions on ivory and rhino horn trade, such that we will not be making proposals to CITES for further trade in these derivatives until certain conditions have been met.”

Four Paws said they were encouraged by the announcement.

“We commend the minister and her department for taking this brave decision and offer our full support for her and her team for the mammoth task that lies ahead. This is a positive step that has been a long-time coming, with many organisations researching and advocating for lions in South Africa,” said Four Paws SA director Fiona Miles.

“What is also very encouraging from the overarching recommendations for us, is that a one welfare approach, and minimum norms and standards for welfare are amongst the key recommendations,” said Miles.

Global campaign, Blood Lions said it would welcome the chance to play a role in assisting Creecy in the phasing out process to come.