This is an excerpt from an article written by David Henning and published online by Getaway on 30 June, 2021

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has gazetted a draft policy on 28 June in another step towards putting an end to the captive breeding of lions.

This document is based on the recent High-Level Panel report and its recommendations and is now open for public comment until 27 July. 

The recent government gazette on the “Draft Policy on the Conservation and Use of Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinocerous” included reviews and policy interventions on matters of management, breeding, hunting and handling of elephant lion, leopard and rhino.

Of significance is the proposal of three main policy interventions, one being to halt the domestication of lions and the commercial exploitation of captive lions, and put an end to captive lion facilities. This will affect the trophy hunting industry, with the gazette reading that “trophy hunting is under increasing scrutiny and all activities related to it.”

The publication of the draft will be well received, pointing to developments in the initial announcement made by Environmental Minister, Barbara Creecy on 3 May. The draft proposes three main policy interventions, one being to halt the domestication of lions and the commercial exploitation of captive lions, and establish a process to close captive lion facilities.