This is an excerpt from an article written and published online by Travel News on 11 May, 2021

SATSA has welcomed the recent release by Environmental Affairs Minister, Barbara Creecy, of the High-Level Panel report that advocates putting an end to captive lion breeding.

The panel was established in August 2018 and concluded its work in December 2020, submitting recommendations on policies, regulatory measures, practices and policy positions related to hunting, trade, captive keeping, management and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.

“We are particularly heartened that the panel shares our view that the captive lion breeding industry does not contribute to conservation and is doing damage to South Africa’s conservation and tourism reputation. The department’s decision to initiate a policy and legislative review to put an end to this practice as a matter of urgency, could not have come sooner,” said David Frost, SATSA CEO.