IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Born Free Foundation, | |
| Cash before Conservation - An overview of the breeding of lions for hunting and bone trade | |
| 2018 Full Book | |
Between 6,000 and 8,000 lions are held in captive breeding facilities across South Africa. The country is the world's primary destination for hunters who wish to hunt captive-raised lions. In the decade to 2013, South Africa declared almost 7,500 lion trophy exports, the vast majority of which were captive-bred. The industry has also made South Africa the world's largest legal exporter of lion bones and skeletons. Between 2008 and 2015, the country declared exports of more than 5,000 lion skeletons and a large quantity of bones. In 2017, the South African Government issued an export quota of 800 lion skeletons from captive-bred lions. Some of the buyers and countries to which these products are destined have strong associations with wildlife trafficking. This document has been compiled from published information with the intention of providing a deeper insight into the development the captive lion breeding industry, the hunting of these animals, and the subsequent export of lion bones. The association between some of those involved in the industry, and illegal trade in other wildlife products, and the increasing association between lion breeding and the fast-expanding trade in donkey meat and skins, are highlighted. The document also explores the key role played by prominent members of South Africa's National and Provincial Governments in the growth of the industry, the lack of public or scientific accountability for official support, and the increasing international condemnation of the industry including among some prominent hunting groups. The report concludes that, if South Africa is to be regarded as a responsible and ethical custodian of its wildlife, and a country that cares about wildlife elsewhere in Africa and across the globe, urgent action needs to be taken to curtail the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions, and the sale of their bones and skeletons into international markets. |
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(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |