RFI
03 May 2021, 17:46 GMT+10
South Africa has revealed plans to ban the breeding of lions in captivity for hunting or for tourists to pet. The move is aimed at promoting a more "authentic" experience but is expected to be met with objection from the powerful lion captive breeding industry.
The decision was reached following recommendations contained in a study by a special government-appointed panel into the controversial practice.
The panel was studying the management and rules governing the hunting, trade and keeping in captivity of lions, elephants, rhino and leopards.
Environment Minister Barbara Creecy told a news conference that the report said "we must halt and reverse the domestication of lions through captive breeding and keeping."
"We don't want captive breeding, captive hunting, captive (cubs) petting, captive use of lions," the minister said.
Lions roar when the weather's right, new study in Zimbabwe shows
The decision, which is yet to be formulated into policy, is likely to set the government on a collision course with the powerful multi-million-dollar lion captive breeding industry.
The minister cautioned that the recommendations were not aimed at stifling the hunting industry.
"Legal regulated hunting of the iconic species under the regulatory environment will continue to be permitted, we are not banning legal regulated permitted hunting," she said.
Creecy added that the report was advising that action be "taken immediately to stop tourists' interaction with captive lions, including cub petting".
Lion cub found inside luxury car in Paris
The practice of hunting lions raised in captivity has long been controversial in South Africa, where a large number of animals are confined to pens ringed with electric fences.
Campaigns to ban the importation of captive-bred lion trophies have in recent years gathered steam in the United States, Australia and several countries in Europe.
The minister said that the tourism industry was susceptible to negative perceptions that influence where tourists choose to visit.
"The intention here is to ensure that those who are interested in... authentic wildlife hunting" will have such an experience and "will not be hunting animals that have been taken out of the cage," she said.
(with AFP)
Get a daily dose of Zimbabwe Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.
More InformationATLANTA, Georgia: The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, with 1,288 confirmed cases so...
In the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- In today's fractured world, dialogue based on mutual respect is the right path forward, said Gert Grobler,...
Pretoria has developed contingency plans to sustain vital services, its health minister has said South African Health Minister Aaron...
Pretoria has developed contingency plans to sustain vital services, its health minister has said ...
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar says his country has enough problems and cant take in foreigners straight out of American prisons Nigeria...
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar says his country has enough problems and can't take in foreigners straight out of American prisons ...
Kingston [Jamaica], July 12 (ANI): Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins is set to sit out next month's white-ball series against South...