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August 8, 2024

South Africa's controversial lion farming industry is fueling the illegal international trade in big cat bones

Lions at a commercial breeding facility in South Africa. Credit: Roberto Vieto / World Animal Protection
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Lions at a commercial breeding facility in South Africa. Credit: Roberto Vieto / World Animal Protection

A , "Under the lion's paw: lion farming in South Africa and the illegal international bone trade," published in Nature Conservation has uncovered concerning activities within South Africa's captive lion industry, shedding light on the urgent need for comprehensive governmental action.

The study by , conducted through direct interviews with workers at two closed-access facilities in South Africa's North West Province, reveals disturbing practices. These include:

Facility workers detailed the use of various strategies, including security cameras, patrols, and messaging apps, to evade detection during inspections. These findings emphasize the complexity and severity of issues within the captive lion industry, necessitating immediate and decisive action.

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Lead researcher Dr. Angie Elwin, Research Manager at World Animal Protection said, "Our study highlights the troubling reality of South Africa's captive lion industry. Legal activities are being exploited to facilitate , and this is compounded by serious animal welfare violations and unsafe conditions for workers. Urgent action is needed to protect lions and people."

Lion at a commercial breeding facility in South Africa. Credit: Roberto Vieto / World Animal Protection.
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Lion at a commercial breeding facility in South Africa. Credit: Roberto Vieto / World Animal Protection.

Although the commercial captive breeding and canned hunting of lions remains legal, though poorly regulated in South Africa, the export of lion skeletons—including claws and teeth—was declared unconstitutional by the South African High Court in 2019.

In 2021, the South African Government announced its intention to immediately halt the "domestication and exploitation of lions, and to ultimately close all captive lion facilities in South Africa."

However, a lack of enforcement of regulations and clarity on the future of the industry, has left a legal gray area, enabling some farms to operate what on the surface appear to be legitimate captive lion breeding and "canned" trophy hunting businesses—but which in reality supply the illegal international big cat bone trade facilitated by organized crime gangs.

In light of these revelations, the study calls for the South African Government to implement a comprehensive and well-managed plan to transition away from current practices in the captive lion industry. Key recommendations include:

Prepared lion skeleton. Credit: Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC.
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Prepared lion skeleton. Credit: Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC.

Senior researcher Dr. Neil D'Cruze, Head of Wildlife Research at World Animal Protection said, "The South African Government must take immediate action to fulfill its public pledge to end the controversial captive lion industry. Without a comprehensive time-bound plan and stringent enforcement, this commercial industry will continue to pose significant legal, , and conservation concerns."

It is estimated that between 8,000–12,000 lions and other big cats, including tigers, are bred and kept in captivity in more than 350 facilities across the country.

This study serves as a crucial call to action for both the South African Government and the international community to address and resolve the complex issues surrounding the captive lion industry.

The publication comes at a time when South African NGO encourages the public to raise their voice by sharing the 2024 World Lion Day "You're killing them softly" campaign message, aimed at informing tourists and visitors to lion farms about the hidden suffering and cruelty involved, and to urging the South African government among others to extend the ban on captive lion breeding and trading to other predators.

More information: Under the lion's paw: lion farming in South Africa and the illegal international bone trade, Nature Conservation (2024).

Journal information: Nature Conservation

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