South Africa has announced that it will end the captive breeding of lions in the country. Conservationists and animal welfare advocates celebrated the reccomendation for more humane treatment of lions. The recommendations of a diverse study committee that issued a report on May 2nd still must be ratified to become law. Captive raised animals are abused in "canned hunts" and in petting zoos for tourists. Advocates expressed confidence that the recommendation will end commercial captive breeding in South Africa. Unhygenic, stressful conditions experience by captive lions contributes to poor health and the spread of disease, which could spill over into the human community. There are about 366 captive breeding operations in the country with an estiamted population of 8,000 lions according to official statistics. An NGO working to end the industry puts the numbers at 450 facilities with upwards of 12,000 lions. Besides touristic exploitation, captive lions are killed for their body parts used in Chinese folk medicine. [photo courtesy: Blood Lions]
A wildlife protection organization inspected 95 breeding facilities in 2016-17 and found dozens of operations without adequate enclosures, proper hygiene, food, enrichment activities, or even veterinary care for injured or sick lions. In essence, lions are treated as disposable livestock instead of a needed, threatened predator. Closing such a large industry will have to be done in phases, and unfortunately some captives not suited to rehabilation will have to be ethanized. Animal welfare experts say an audit of the industry will be needed to stop any more breeding activity. The pandemic's crush of the tourist industry may have contributed to the realization that breeding lions in captivity is not a humane, profitable, or even logical activity.
Now ask the beasts to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; or the reptiles of the Earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of God has done this?Job 12:7-10