Captured lion breeding will end in South Africa

Lion breeding in South Africa and trade in products such as their bones should be ended, according to the country’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy. Also the country has revealed plans to clamp down tourists to pet cubs. The move comes after the results were published from a two-year study into the controversial practice of captive lion breeding. It found that the practice risked conservation efforts and harmed wild animals.

The announcement was made alongside the release of a nearly 600-page report by a special government-appointed advisory committee tasked with reviewing the country’s policies, legislation and practices related to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos. South Africa’s government accepted the panel’s recommendations which could anger the hunting industry. Barbara Creecy, , responded to the report by saying the ministry would adopt all recommendations in the report which were supported by the majority of the 26-strong panel. “I have requested the department to action this accordingly and ensure that the necessary consultation for implementation is conducted,” she said at the panel’s presentation, referring to recommendations on captive lions.