The welfare conditions identified by the Blood Lions and World Animal Protection research teams were categorised according to a globally accepted animal welfare model – Mellor’s Five Domains Model.

In the Nutrition Domain, 7 conditions were linked to nutritional concerns in keeping lions in captivity globally, such as malnutrition, obesity, dehydration, and vitamin deficiencies.

Fulfilling the optimal dietary requirements for lions in captivity poses a significant management challenge and if not done correctly, can lead to anaemia, dehydration, obesity, emaciation and nutrient deficiencies. These in turn can lead to diseases, such as poor oral health, malformation and spinal cord degeneration, which are part of the Health Domain

The NSPCA – National Council of SPCAs continuously inspects commercial captive lion breeding facilities in South Africa and regularly encounters the following nutrition related issues:

• Inappropriate diet for adult lions, e.g. rotting meat or chicken instead of a carnivore specialised diet; 
• Feeding cubs dairy or Esbilac instead of specialised milk formulas, and not adding supplements to ensure the necessary nutrition; 
• Lack of adjustment in diet for over- and underweight animals.

TAKE ACTION to #CancelCaptivity: Sign the Petition

Boredom, frustration, neuroticism, irritation, frustration and anxiety are just some of the 15 negative mental experiences of lions kept in zoos, sanctuaries and wildlife parks that our recently published research identified.

These conditions in the Mental Domain can in turn lead to abnormal behaviours and even physical health issues, as chronic stress and irritation can lead to fighting which can result in injuries and other health conditions.

For example, during welfare inspections on commercial captive lion breeding facilities in South Africa, the NSPCA – National Council of SPCAs found that predator and prey species were sometimes kept in adjacent enclosures without partitioning, which can lead to extreme stress and anxiety.

TAKE ACTION to #CancelCaptivity: Sign the Petition

Our research recognised 19 conditions associated with negative behaviours affecting lions kept in zoos, sanctuaries and safari parks globally, including excessive pacing, unnatural aggression, self-harm, refusal of food and withdrawn behaviour.

A wide range of issues that fall in the Behaviour Domain, such as unnatural aggression, can lead to fighting related injuries, like tailbone fractures and bite wounds, that can cause severe pain and infection if left untreated. Such conditions are part of the Health Domain.

Negative behaviours can be the cause of chronic stress and anxiety resulting from inadequate environmental conditions. For example, unnaturally small living conditions can lead to immense stress that presents itself as unnatural behaviour like excessive pacing or withdrawal.

TAKE ACTION to #CancelCaptivity: Sign the Petition

Our recently published research identified 124 health conditions affecting lions kept in captivity globally, ranging from a broken tooth and a tail-bone fracture due to fighting, to anorexia, parasitic infections, paralysis of the legs, and cardiovascular diseases.

Pathogenic health conditions (for example diseases caused by bacteria and viruses) can emerge as a result of inadequate environmental conditions, such as poor hygiene, leading to an increased prevalence in some infectious diseases, like mange.

Our research is supported by the findings from welfare inspections on commercial captive lion breeding facilities in South Africa in which the NSPCA identified the following conditions that fall in the Health Domain:

• Animals infested with untreated parasite infestations;
• Diseased and injured animals that received no veterinary treatment;
• Enclosures that were not cleaned regularly to remove excess faeces, litter and uneaten carcasses

These health conditions are just some of the reasons why we need to #CancelCaptivity. 

TAKE ACTION: Sign the Petition

The Blood Lions and World Animal Protection research team reviewed over 90 scientific papers and identified 170 different physical and psychological conditions associated with the keeping of lions in captivity.

Our researchers found that:

• 124 conditions were in the Health Domain such as disease and injury;
• 19 conditions were behavioural problems like abnormal pacing or self-harm;
• 15 conditions affected the lion’s mental state such as fear and anxiety;
• 7 conditions were linked to the nutrition the lions received, such as too much or too little food;
• 5 conditions were associated with environmental challenges such as a lack of stimulation. 

These conditions provide us with insight into the significant challenges experienced when keeping lions and other big cats in captivity. 

TAKE ACTION: Sign the Petition

The welfare conditions identified by the Blood Lions and World Animal Protection research team were categorised according to a globally accepted animal welfare model, namely Mellor’s Five Domains Model.

Mellor’s Five Domains Model of animal welfare is a widely used assessment tool. It is an holistic approach in which the mental condition of an animal is considered in addition to the four physical or functional states (namely nutrition, environment, health and behaviour) to comprehensively assess an animal’s welfare state. 

By evaluating these Five Domains, an objective assessment can be made of the welfare challenges experienced when keeping lions and other big cats in captivity. 

TAKE ACTION: Sign the Petition

The newly published peer-reviewed paper by Blood Lions and World Animal Protection highlighted the fact that South Africa has no national welfare norms and standards for the captive breeding, keeping and trade of lions and other large felids.

Therefore, lions and other big cats are at risk of a wide range of both physical and mental welfare challenges. 

The lack of income for captive wildlife facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the absence of national welfare norms and standards for the captive breeding, keeping and trade of lions and other big cats in South Africa, has put the existing big cats in captivity at even more risk of serious welfare issues. 

In addition, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), which is solely mandated with the enforcement of animal welfare in South Africa, is forced to operate without financial support from the national government

It is time for South Africa to #CancelCaptivity.

Why our latest scientific paper with World Animal Protection should concern you:

• The paper highlights that there are major welfare concerns linked to captive lions in South Africa, but no national norms and standards in place to protect them.
• Zoonosis (diseases that can jump from animals to humans) is a very real threat.
• Not a single study has been conducted on the welfare of lions on commercial facilities in South Africa or even globally.

These are a few of the many reasons why we need to #CancelCaptivity.

WARNING: viewers may find the contents of the Facebook post disturbing

Our research team found that not one single study focused specifically on the welfare of lions housed on commercial facilities in South Africa (or elsewhere).

In our recently published peer-reviewed welfare paper, a host of scientific research was reviewed that focused on captive lions in zoos, wildlife parks and sanctuaries across the globe.

The emphasis in the commercial predator industry is on intensive breeding practices that are consumer-driven and income-generation focused and generally don’t adequately address animal welfare and well-being. Hence, this is where lions are likely to face far greater welfare challenges.

This is a major research gap that needs to be addressed urgently.

It’s time for South Africa to #CancelCaptivity.

We need your support in urging the South African government to finally prioritize the welfare and well-being of captive lions.

We are appealing to Minister Creecy (Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries) to urgently carry out a comprehensive national audit of the current commercial captive lion industry, including the welfare conditions of the big cats involved, in order to minimise unintended negative welfare impacts during the planned phase out of the industry.

We are also appealing to Minister Didiza (Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) to bring more urgency to the progression of the new Animal Welfare Bill by setting some clear and prompt timelines for the development and implementation of this Bill, and to urgently involve outside stakeholders into the process.

Sign the Petition and Read the Open Letter to these South African Ministers below.

It’s time for South Africa to #CancelCaptivity.