Lion-bone export quota ‘dangerous’ – activists

THE Department of Environmental Affairs’ 2018 captive-bred lion bone export quota of 1 500 skeletons, with or without the head, has been met with staunch opposition from activists,calling it “outrageous”. This is up from last year’s 800. The department says about 7 000 lions are kept in around 260 captive breeding facilities in South Africa.

Lions are bred in captivity for reasons including hunting but also as a potential source for the establishment of new populations. The department says some are sold to start new conservation areas while others are donated to countries whose lions have become extinct, a claim activists refute.

Implementation of the quota will be managed by the DEA, and strict provincial and national processes must be followed.

The department said the 2018 quota is based on new evidence from a research project by the SA National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) in collaboration with Wits University, Oxford University and the University of Kent.

The research found that due to quota restrictions, there appears to be a growing stockpile of lion bones in South Africa. While there has been no discernible increase in poaching of wild lion, there appears to be an increase in poaching of captive-bred lions for body parts (heads, faces, paws and claws).

The DEA said if there is ongoing demand for lion bone and the supply from captive breeding facilities is restricted, dealers may seek alternative sources, either through illegal access to stockpiles or by poaching.

Paul Tully of Captured in Africa which promotes conservation through safari called the increased quota “ridiculous”.

“(Minister) Edna Molewa’s position and promotion of trade in lion bones is not only dangerous, but hypocritical… we must ask a number of questions about this decision and about the scientific reasoning.”

Four Paws South Africa director Fiona Miles said the continued and relentless slaughter and exploitation of South Africa’s lions will not end until the government provides them with the protection they deserve.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust said it was not aware of any formal public participation process or consultation prior to the decision to increase the quota.