Tell South African authorities to ban cruel captive breeding of lions for profit

Anonymous

Tell South African authorities to ban cruel captive breeding of lions for profit

Up to 12,000 lions suffer in captive breeding facilities in South Africa. In these facilities, lions are intensively bred and ripped away from their mothers at just a few days old to be exploited for tourist props. Once the lions are too dangerous for human interactions, they are killed for the bone trade or sold for canned trophy hunts where they are shot in enclosed spaces.

This industry is not only incredibly cruel, but poorly regulated. An April 2019 inspection of a captive breeding facility reveals just how far the cruelty extends. Inspectors found big cats at a facility in the North West province living in overcrowded enclosures, without access to water and exposed to filthy and parasitic conditions. Lion cubs appeared to be suffering from a neurological condition that left them unable to walk.

Urge the Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa to put an end to this grotesque industry and prohibit the commercial captive breeding of lions.

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Below is our letter to the Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa. Please click "Send Now" to add your name, and we will deliver it on your behalf!

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Dear Minister Nomvula Mokonyane (Minister of Environmental Affairs), Mr. Shonisani Munzhedzi (Deputy Director General: Biodiversity and Conservation) and Mr. Mohlopi Philemon Mapulane (Chairman of the Portfolio Committee of Environmental Affairs),

I am writing to you as a supporter of Humane Society International to respectfully urge you to prohibit the commercial captive breeding of lions in South Africa.

The captive lion breeding industry has been a black mark on South Africa’s tourism industry and tarnished South Africa’s conservation reputation for years. In this industry, lions are intensively bred in captivity for the sole purpose to be exploited as tourist props. Lion cubs are ripped away from their mothers at just a few days old to be passed around by countless tourists for selfies and bottle-feeding sessions. When the lions are older, they will be used for “walking with lion” safaris. Finally, once the lions are too dangerous for human interactions, they are often killed for the bone trade or the canned trophy hunting industry.

An April 2019 inspection at a captive breeding facility in the North West province by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reveals the horrid conditions the animals are subjected to. Inspectors found lion cubs appearing to be suffering from a neurological condition that left them unable to walk, caracals so obese they were unable to properly groom themselves and animals crowded in small enclosures without access to water.

The dire state of the animals in this facility is a testament to the lack of regulation of the captive breeding industry. Please prohibit the commercial captive breeding of lions in South Africa to protect majestic, wild cats from a lifetime of suffering for profit.

Sincerely, 
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