Has South Africa Become Unsafe for Lions?

A family posing with a lioness shot during a canned trophy hunt

South Africa, like other African countries, is home to some of the most spectacular wildlife that draws thousands of tourists each year to see. Among the wildlife which tourists come to see are lions. But unlike other countries, tourists in South Africa not only get to see lions in its national parks and game reserves; they also get to see lions in enclosures located in the outskirts of various towns and cities. Usually, tourists either take pictures of lions from behind the chain-link fences or have pictures taken with the cubs. But what tourists don't know is that these captive-bred lions are subject to the brutal and bloodthirsty sport of canned hunting in South Africa. The most recent proof of the brutality of South Africa's canned hunting industry was seen in July when officials investigating a lion breeding facility called Pienka Farm in the North West Province uncovered a myriad of horrors linked to the blood sport. The first example was captured on video in which two cubs were locked in separate crates showing severe neurological issues as their heads shook uncontrollably. The cubs' fore and hind legs were paralyzed and displayed other serious injuries, which forced the veterinarian to euthanize them at the scene. In addition, the investigators also discovered bodies of about twenty lion and tiger cubs crammed inside a chest freezer.

One of many dead lion cubs found inside a canned hunting facility during an investigation in July

This was not the first time investigators discovered serious animal welfare issues at the farm. In April, officers from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) visited the facility and found dozens of lions and tigers cramped together in small cages with no water or shelter. 27 animals were suffering from extreme mange and the caracals were so overweight they could not lick themselves clean. The visit also revealed that more cubs suffered from serious neurological conditions. Although animal welfare charges were laid, no action had been taken since then, as officials are reportedly still collecting evidence. Further charges will be added after the second investigation. Pienka Farm is one of an estimated 300 lion breeding facilities in South Africa, where big cats are merely bred for exploitation. Many are subjected to canned hunting after being used and abused throughout every stage of their lives. Eventually, the big cats are harvested for the lion bone trade. An advocacy group called Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting notified The Sun of this heartbreaking case, bringing the issue of South Africa's captive lion breeding into the media spotlight.

A freezer chest containing several dead lion cubs

It really aggravates me to the core that a country like South Africa, which attracts thousands of tourists each year, has turned into a hell on earth for majestic animals like lions. Not only do these animals live in protected areas, but they also live on these facilities where tourists are given an opportunity to pet them, bottle-feed them, and then ultimately shoot them in an enclosed space for trophy. Even worse is that the practice of canned hunting which these lions are subjected to is legal and is thriving. The Born Free Foundation has estimated that more than 8,000 lions and big cats are held in hundreds of such facilities across the country. These animals are separated from their mothers when they are 2-3 weeks old and their mothers are immediately forced to breed again in a convoluted cycle. The cubs are petted and bottle-fed by naive tourists who pay to volunteer at these so-called "orphanages", maliciously assuming that their efforts are contributing to the conservation of lions. The cubs are then manipulated at lion-walking facilities, where tourists spend money to get their selfies and other pictures taken. Ultimately, the cubs are sold to canned hunting facilities as adults. Due to their continuous existence with people, the animals lack fight-or-flight response which allows clients to shoot them in cold blood and pose for pictures. After being ruthlessly slaughtered in the name of sport, the animals' body parts and bones are sold to dealers in Asia who make medicine out of them. Approximately 800 "farmed" lions are mercilessly killed by trophy hunters each year in South Africa. This has to got to change!

Several emaciated lion cubs showing extreme mange as a result of neglect and abuse

I strongly urge the government of South Africa to take strong measurements in targeting such facilities that provide such false services to tourists into thinking that they are doing "good" for the conservation of lions. Instead, they are breeding lions in captivity to be ruthlessly slaughtered in the hands of brainless tourists who pay large sums of money to experience the "thrill of the chase" in hunting these lions in an enclosed area. What is even more upsetting is that the money tourists pay often goes to major conservation organizations as funding for projects that ensure the survival and protection of lions as a whole. I firmly believe that tourists, especially foreign ones, should be thoroughly educated about the grim reality behind South Africa's lion breeding facilities. If these tourists really love lions and care about them, then they should not visit these kinds of places. Instead, they should visit reputable facilities that not only house lions and other animals from neglect and abuse by people but also live up to the creed of conservation by ensuring the animals are well cared for and provided with essential amenities like proper food, water, and medical care. However, there are some tourists who simply want to go to South Africa to hunt lions and pose for pictures to show off to their trophies. Ever since the death of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe four years ago, trophy hunting of lions and other majestic animals came under the public spotlight with many people expressing outrage and contempt towards the practice and those involved. However, that has not stopped some people from participating in such activities. These tourists do not care if an animal is endangered or not. They simply want to hunt an animal such as a lion and want to feel the adrenaline rush that comes with it. These are the people that need to be seriously dealt with, along with operators of various canned hunting facilities.

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