This is an excerpt from an article written and published online by Cape Times and IOL News on 16 August, 2022
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy is to appoint a ministerial task team to identify voluntary exit options and pathways for lion breeders from the captive lion industry.
On Tuesday, the department said the appointment of this advisory panel in terms of Section 3a of the NEMA followed a high-level panel which made recommendations to the minister on matters relating to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.
In her budget speech in May this year, Creecy proposed that the department develop processes that would allow for voluntary exit options and pathways from the captive lion industry.
“The minister has invited members of the public to submit nominations for members of the ministerial task team to the department.
“Members nominated must have the necessary qualifications, expertise and experience in a number of areas associated with the captive lion industry, animal welfare, conservation and sustainable use of South Africa’s biodiversity in general, veterinary care and carnivore interventions, disease risk from husbandry and disposal of carnivores, traditional practices associated with lions, persons with relevant academic experiences and resource mobilisation,” the department said.
.