Urgent Call to Enact the Prohibition Notice on African Lions

The National Council of Provinces has taken an important step by approving the Draft Notice Prohibiting Certain Activities Involving African Lion. If enacted, this Notice will prohibit the establishment of new captive lion breeding and commercial exhibition facilities. Now, the responsibility lies with Minister Aucamp to enact this measure without delay.

You can help the animals by emailing the Department and its Minister to enact the Prohibition notice.

Email the Minister now!

• Dear Minister Aucamp

  Dear Minister Aucamp,

  We call on you to take immediate action. The National Council of Provinces has taken a decisive step toward ending the exploitation of African lions by approving the Draft Notice Prohibiting Certain Activities Involving African Lion. Now, the obligation rests with your office to enact this critical measure without delay.

  This is just the first step - Stronger action is required and can be achieved by prohibiting not only new captive breeding facilities, but by committing to a complete phase out of all captive lion breeding and trade for commercial purposes. In line with the cabinet approved Policy Position, the Minister must fulfil his obligation to end the captive keeping of lions for commercial purposes, put a halt to the intensive captive breeding of lions, and end the commercial exploitation of captive and captive-bred lions.

  South Africa’s captive lion industry has long been associated with practices that undermine our nation’s proud conservation legacy — captive lion breeding and hunting, cub petting, and the lion bone trade. These activities not only compromise animal welfare but also tarnish South Africa’s global reputation as a leader in ethical wildlife management.

  By enacting the Prohibition Notice, you will:

  • Affirm South Africa’s commitment to ethical wildlife management
  • Protect our biodiversity and uphold the principles of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act.
  • Restore international confidence in our tourism and conservation sectors.
  • Ensure that future generations inherit a legacy of respect for wildlife, not exploitation.

   

  Minister, the time for decisive action is now. We urge you to promulgate the Prohibition Notice immediately and set in motion its full implementation. Delay risks perpetuating harm to lions and undermining the credibility of our conservation policies.

  Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

  Yours sincerely