Tag: responsible tourism

South Africa to Finally Ban Captive Lion Industry

South Africa has banned the practice of breeding lions in captivity. This landmark move has been a decade in the making.

As a sought-after Big Five safari destination, South Africa’s commercial captive lion industry—lion-cub petting and canned trophy hunting in particular—has come under intense scrutiny from global animal protection bodies, environmental groups, and the tourism sector.

Africa’s lions are regarded as an endangered species, and these commercial practices further fuel the trade of lion bones for medicinal purposes, which is said to be rife in Asian markets.

A national audit shows that an estimated 7,838 lions are held captive in 342 facilities across South Africa. Additionally, 2,315 other captive carnivores, such as tigers, cheetahs, caracals, and servals, are also in captivity.

Phased-out Approach to Lions in Captivity

Eight exit options, with a phased-out approach over the next two years, for the voluntary closure of the captive lion industry were approved by Cabinet at the end of March. The measures formed part of a Ministerial Task Team report sanctioned by South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) Barbara Creece. 

Creece stated that while the voluntary exit options have been approved, it was vital to consider the “socio-economic impacts, particularly on vulnerable workers, while prioritizing the captive lions’ well-being.”

According to employment data in the North West and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, the estimated number of employees in the captive lion industry nationally is between 1,568 and 2,069. These two provinces, together with the Free State, are the country’s leading provinces involved in the captive lion industry. 

The MTT report was approved days after DFFE released its policy position on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Rhinoceros. “South Africa’s priority is to secure the survival of species in the wild.

“This policy position has been developed to clarify policy intent in respect of conservation and sustainable use of white and black rhinoceroses, lions, elephants, and leopards,” said Creece.

The MTT report further outlined measures to end commercial practices around rhinos in captivity.

READ: South Africa’s Mega Landscapes Plan: Conservation boost or Nature Risk?

 

No Requirement to Rewild Captive Lions 

While the international animal protection body World Animal Protection (WAP) welcomed the first steps to close the captive lion industry, it has raised concerns that the phase-out window allowed lion farmers to provide canned hunts and legally trade lion bones. 

“The mass-incineration of lion bone stockpiles is of great relief given concerns that a reintroduction of lion bone exports would risk stimulating demand among Asian consumers and act as a cover for illegally sourced lion parts,” said Neil D’Cruze, Head of Wildlife Research at World Animal Protection (WAP). 

However, D’Cruze stated “the opportunity for lion farmers to legally provide canned hunts and trade lion bones domestically during the phase-out window underscores the need for urgent action.”

“There is no conservation requirement to rewild captive or captive-bred lions because there is a surplus of metapopulation lions in South Africa,” added D’Cruze.   

Noting a potential change in ministers as South Africa heads to the poles, there is a need to “urgently implement actual timelines for a staged approach to put an end to these unethical and cruel practices,” said Dr Louise de Waal, Director at Blood Lions, an internationally acclaimed body behind the documentary of the same name that sparked an international outcry on canned lion hunting in South Africa.

MTT Report Mandatory Prerequisites Include:

A. Humane euthanasia of compromised lions

B. Population control, preferably by surgical sterilisation

Most Viable Voluntary Exit Options Involving Live Captive and/or Captive-bred Lions in Order of

Priority:

1) Humane euthanasia of all lions and permanent exit from the industry

2) Phase out through trade opportunities for a period of 24 months

3) Surrender of lions to lion safe havens

Less Viable Voluntary Exit Options Involving Live Captive and/or Captive-bred Lions:

4) Surrender of lions to authorities

5) Repurposing of an existing facility to a lion safe haven

6) Repurposing of an existing facility for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use

Viable Voluntary Exit Options Involving Lion Bone Stockpiles:

7) Lion bone stockpiles surrendered to authorities

8) Lion bone stockpiles for trade out (domestic) for a period of 24 months 

 

Discover Africa is all about real safari adventures. We avoid places with questionable activities like lion-cub petting. We choose to work with partners who ascribe to responsible tourism and sustainable best practices that conserve and care for Africa’s natural heritage and wildlife for the long term. Contact our travel experts to start planning your authentic lion safari.  

South Africa’s Mega Landscapes Plan: Conservation Boost or Nature Risk?

South Africa’s natural beauty, which draws more than 8.5 million international visitors annually, could be exploited if a proposed “mega landscapes” conservation plan is implemented.

The country’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) wants to grow what it calls “consumptive tourism” by developing the economic potential of wild animals and plants through hunting and bioprospecting for medicinal purposes. South Africa has a long history of combatting rhino poaching and the impact of trophy hunting through canned lion hunting. 

Economic Development vs Ethical Conservation

The new initiative wants to use South Africa’s wildlife, flora, and fauna as a substantial economic asset through “Mega Landscape” conservation areas for this type of consumptive tourism. Under the plan, some 20 million hectares of conservation area will be increased to 34 million by 2040, equivalent to seven Kruger National Parks, states conservation journalist Don Pinnock. 

The proposed five mega landscapes would include:

  • iSimangaliso/Ezemvelo/uMkhanyakude in KwaZulu/Natal
  • Waterberg/Limpopo River/Makapan Valley in Limpopo
  • Lekgalameetse/Wolkberg/Thabina in the Tzaneen area
  • Addo/Camdeboo Corridor and Grasslands National Park in the Eastern Cape
  • North West
  • Northern Cape

The plan proposes transforming these areas into “biodiversity business” zones, significantly increasing the monetisation of South Africa’s wild ecosystems. Key concerns include:

  1. Economic vs. Ethical Balance: The substantial increase in the consumptive use of wildlife has the ethical implications of negatively commodifying nature for economic gain.
  2. Biodiversity Conservation: While bigger conservation areas sound like a move in the right direction, the shift towards a “biodiversity business” model needs scrutiny to ensure it doesn’t compromise ecological integrity.
  3. Global Perception: South Africa’s reputation as a leader in wildlife conservation could be at stake, considering the plan’s emphasis on hunting. 

South Africa’s natural heritage is on a slippery conservation slope if the plan goes ahead, and careful consideration and informed debate are required, according to Pinnock. 

Public comment on the DFFE plan is open until 12 April. The plan was originally released on 8 March, and commentary has since been extended by 14 days. The initial 22 March deadline was slammed for leaving too little time for stakeholders to comment.   

At Discover Africa, we take the complexity of balancing conservation goals with financial interests seriously. We work with our preferred partners to develop positive-impact safari experiences.

All stakeholders are asked to voice their opinions on the DFFE plan, considering the right approach to safeguard South Africa’s natural heritage without resorting to exploitative practices.

Why do Lions Not Attack When You are in a Safari Vehicle?

In this insightful article, we’ll delve into the behavioral patterns of lions, especially during safari tours in Africa. We will uncover the science behind why these majestic creatures, known for their predatory instincts, choose not to attack when you are in a vehicle.

From understanding their perception of the vehicle to the role of the safari guidelines, this article presents a comprehensive view that will appeal to both adventure enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

African lion couple and safari jeep in Masai Mara in Kenya.
African lion couple and safari jeep in Masai Mara in Kenya.

Let’s explore the key reasons why a lion will avoid attacking an approaching vehicle.

Predator Perception

To understand why a lion avoids attacking a safari vehicle, it’s important to be aware of predator perception, which illustrates a lion’s thought process before attacking.

Lions are natural and instinctive hunters, and because they’ve evolved as predators for thousands of years, they follow their instincts when it comes to the things they see and interact within their environment.

Lionesses preparing for the hunt, Botswana.
Lionesses preparing for the hunt, Botswana.

There are two key reasons why lions attack when they do. They either see a specific target as food or a threat. A human on its own may fall into one or both of these categories, which is why lions may very well attack a human out in the open.

Safari vehicle observing a lioness and cubs in Tanzania | Photo credit: AndBeyond
Safari vehicle observing a lioness and cubs in Tanzania | Photo credit: AndBeyond

However, lion and human interaction becomes very different when a safari vehicle is involved. A human or group of humans can consider vehicles relatively safe from lion attacks because lions understand the size difference between themselves and a vehicle.

A majestic male lion.
A majestic male lion.

Because a vehicle is much larger than a lion, lions do not see the vehicle as a source of food. The safety of the vehicle often prevents lions from viewing the humans inside as food as well.

Safety measures are put in place to ensure responsible tourism practices, and these help keep lions from feeling threatened by approaching vehicles.

Responsible Tourism

Safari coordinators and staff members understand lion behavior, and as such, they develop safari vehicle safety measures so that attacks are unlikely to occur. For example, vehicles are typically slow-moving, which helps reduce the odds of surprising a lion in the wild.

Furthermore, during trips, passengers are instructed to remain in the vehicle at all times, and the vehicles usually remain on clearly marked trails.

Safari vehicle observing a lioness and her cubs in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Safari vehicle observing a lioness and her cubs in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Because coordinators are dedicated to wildlife conservation and practicing responsible tourism, the approach they take with safari vehicles aims to infringe upon lion habitats as little as possible, while still allowing tourists to observe these majestic animals.

Safari vehicle observes two male lions in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana | Photo credit: Okuti
Safari vehicle observes two male lions in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana | Photo credit: Okuti

In some scenarios, lions may become curious about a safari vehicle and approach it to get a closer look. During these circumstances, tour leaders will instruct passengers to keep their hands and feet inside the vehicle and remain both still and quiet until the lion loses interest.

Safari vehicle observing lions in Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Safari vehicle observing lions in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa.

Lion attacks on safari vehicles are incredibly rare, both due to a lion’s natural instinct to hunt familiar prey and the safety protocols put in place by the coordinators.

If you’d like to embark upon a lion safari in Africa, consider exploring with Discover Africa. Visit our website and take a look at our variety of offerings and accommodations to find the sort of adventure that fits your needs.