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