Lions: Canned violence for profit - The IUCN decision.

On September 2^{nd [2016]} the IUCN passed the motion to terminate captive-bred lion hunting in South Africa. The motion requests the prohibition of the hunting of captive-bred lions [by 2020]. The motion also states that the breeding of lions be conducted at registered zoos / facilities demonstrating a clear conservation value only.

www.bloodlions.org

The South African Government's response to the motion is best described as muted. Albi Modise, chief director of communications for the DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs) notes -

1. “As you know, these motions or resolutions adopted by the IUCN are not legally binding and therefore compliance with the resolution cannot be enforced.”
2. While the applicable legislation will be revised, the motion does not 'necessarily' mean that South Africa's lion-breeding facilities will be closed. 
3. Industry compliance and the TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) regulations will be enforced. 
4. Research to determine whether there is any conservation value in the captive-breeding of lions will be prioritised. 
5. Amendments to the TOPS regulations [early 2017] are expected to include the prohibition of captive-breeding where there is no clear conservation value.  

A blight on Brand South Africa

South Africa has been down this road before. Wordplay & nuance [http://markandalishakirk.blogspot.co.za/2016/08/lions-canned-violence-for-profit.html] is at the core of the industry. Amendments to the Norms and Standards & the TOPS regulations must prohibit the hunting of a captive-bred lion under any / all circumstances. Anything less falls short & perpetuates the exploitation of Africa's iconic predator.

Let's be candid for a change. The idea that a habituated, captive-bred lion is, for the purposes of hunting, legally deemed wild in 4 days [96 hours] ie: from the time of release, is nothing short of farcical & an affront to the intelligence of any reasonable person. Breeding perpetuates the conservation-fraud. Anyway you slice it, the commercial exploitation of lions is morally outrageous, ethically-defunct, grossly irresponsible & a blight on this country.