Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Mass euthanisation of lions imminent as state plans to stop captive breeding
Ranching body objects as Ministerial Task Team recommends that the department of environment assist in euthanising all lions held by wildlife ranchers who have volunteered to cease operations, reports Lindi Botha.
The death of thousands of endangered lions is imminent as government recommends closing the captive breeding sector. This comes after a lengthy process undertaken by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to promote conservation of South Africa’s wildlife.
At this stage, closure of captive lion farms is voluntary, although DFFE Minister Barbara Creecy noted that ultimately, captive keeping of lions for commercial purposes should cease, as should intensive management and captive breeding of rhinoceros for commercial purposes.
Creecy released the report of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) on Voluntary Exit Options and Pathways from the Captive Lion Industry at the beginning of April, after Cabinet approved its recommendations for implementation. DFFE will now proceed to euthanise all lions held by wildlife ranchers who volunteered to cease operations.
The MTT was appointed in December 2022, following a recommendation by the High-Level Panel on matters relating to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The stated aim of the MTT is to correct unsustainable practices, promote conservation, sustainable use, and the well-being of the species, and provide policy direction for international commercial trade in the species.
The MTT’s recommendations include that government engage voluntary exit candidates to finalise the pathways and exit terms; acquisition and incineration of lion bone stockpiles contingent upon sterilisation of lions and compliance with the voluntary exit principles; issuing a short-term directive to ensure consistent application of animal well-being is assured through issuing of permits and conducting oversights; and prohibiting captive lion-breeding in the medium term to safeguard benefits of voluntary exit.
Commenting on the report, Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) said it was deeply troubled by the “erratic or schizophrenic” policymaking by the DFFE. Chairperson Richard York said Creecy had prioritised political campaigning over sound wildlife policies. “She has disregarded logic and scientific evidence and ignored the potential ecological and biodiversity impacts of her department’s decisions on the long-term survival of wildlife.”
Research shows that loss of habitat due to agricultural activities, urbanisation and poaching were the main reasons for dwindling lion numbers, which went from 450 000 globally 50 years ago to just 39 000 today. York said that contrary to what animal rights advocates publicised, wildlife ranching and hunting served to protect and increase lion populations rather than decimate them. “There are four times as many lions on ranches than found in the wild in South Africa. This is because ranchers have a financial incentive to protect them through hunting. It costs around R500 000 per year to keep and feed a small pride of just three lions. Faced with the untenable
‘MANY WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TURN TO ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS LIVESTOCK OR CROP FARMING’
choice between maintaining a pride of captive lions, from which no income can be generated to sustain the operation, and taking a ‘voluntary strategy’ to a smoothed-out, sponsored exit, doubtless many will have no choice but to turn to alternatives such as livestock or crop farming with the consequent deterioration of biodiversity in the area.”
WRSA called on all ranchers to unite and continue to support the association’s efforts to safe-guard the well-being of ranchers and their wildlife.