No More Lion-Breeding in Captivity

Determined to end captive lion-breeding for tourism and trophy-hunting purposes, South Africa is revoking and suspending permits to operate such facilities, marking a major victory for lion conservation and animal welfare.

“This is a significant shift in thinking, and it’s far, far greater than anyone would have thought a year ago, or even six months ago,” says Ian Michler, director of Blood Lions, a nonprofit organization advocating for the end of captive lion breeding in South Africa. “And it’s the first time we believe that we have a ministry or government that is really committed to dealing with these issues.”

So far, there are some 350 lion-breeding facilities in South Africa, housing from 8,000 to 12,000 lions. A 600-page report recommends changes to wildlife management policies, including a ban on keeping lions in captivity, breeding them, using them in tourist attractions such as cub petting and enclosed lion hunting, and lion bones trading. The government is already in support of these recommendations to be turned into law.