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NSPCA Urges Minister Creecy To Take Action During The Phasing Out Of The Captive Lion Industry

This is an excerpt from an article written and published online by the NSPCA on 29 June, 2022

For two decades, the NSPCA has been challenging the captive lion industry and fighting for the welfare and well-being of thousands of captive lions. In addition, the NSPCA is well renowned for challenging the implications and consequences of continued lion bone export quotas following CoP17 of CITES that would have resulted in the further commercialisation and expansion of the captive lion industry, whilst ethical, conservation and animal welfare concerns remained excluded. Since the victorious ruling in favour of the NSPCA, no lion bone export quotas have been released since 2019.

The closure of the captive lion industry has gained further traction, as Minister Barbara Creecy from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) intends to phase out the captive lion industry and a further zero quota under CITES provisions have been made for lion bones and parts for 2022. The NSPCA fully support this renewed transition and firm decision to effectively phase out the captive lion industry.

Minister Creecy further indicated that she would establish a Panel of Experts to formulate and oversee the implementation of a voluntary exit strategy for lion farmers who wish to participate. The NSPCA has every intention to serve on this Panel of Experts.

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