#MythBusting

#Myth
Busting

As part of our #CancelCaptivity campaign, Blood Lions launched this Myth Busting social media campaign to draw attention to the misinformation or ‘myths’ commonly linked to the captive lion industry. This campaign debunked eight myths using scientific research and well-known knowledge shared by lion conservationists and ecologists.

Click on the posts below to learn more about these Myths and the evidence against them.

MYTH: Breeding lions in captivity will save the species in the wild

A common myth linked to the captive lion breeding industry is that it has the ability to supplement and save the wild species. This is not the case. The IUCN
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MYTH: Captive-bred lions can be released into the wild

This is one of the most common myths linked to the captive lion breeding industry. As much as a wild animal is never fully tame, captive-bred lions are human-imprinted and
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MYTH: Captive-bred lions are genetically pure

The genetics of captive-bred lions are often compromised. The prevailing view amongst carnivore specialists and conservationists is that captive-bred lions do not contribute to the conservation of the species, especially
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MYTH: Captive bred lions are as wild as the lions in reserves

Although the wild instinct of captive-bred lions may well remain, they are human-habituated animals and are ill-equipped to survive in wild areas. Captive bred lions have never learned to hunt
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MYTH: Interacting with captive cheetahs is perfectly safe

In the last 15 years, we have recorded 52 incidents of captive cheetahs, lions and tigers attacking a total of 58 people, of which 18 people died as a consequence
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MYTH: Cub petting is okay because the cubs are orphans

This is another extremely common myth linked to the captive lion industry, but is very often not the case. Many captive wildlife facilities will claim that their cubs were orphaned,
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MYTH: Interacting with ‘ambassador animals’ helps conserve the species in the wild

Education should never take preference over the welfare of an animal. There is no doubt that raising awareness around species conservation issues and educating the public on these topics is
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MYTH: Paying to interact with lions is acceptable as the money goes to conservation

There is no evidence that money raised through interactive captive wildlife activities is donated to the conservation of the species in the wild. Furthermore, not one credible conservation organisation would
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