Caged lion lying against enclosure wall

South Africa's Big Cat Industry


New report examines the country’s involvement in the commercial exploitation, legal and illegal trade of big cat species

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Tiger from Bloemfontein Zoo ZA

Roadmap to Closing Captive Tiger Facilities of Concern


An outline on how to address the complexities associated with closing these facilities

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Two tiger cubs are playing in their enclosure

We Need Your Help


Sign our petition to demand the end the commercial trade of all big cats and their parts in South Africa  

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#BreakTheViciousCycle

FOUR PAWS is fighting to ban the commercial trade of ALL big cats in South Africa

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Australia
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International
South Africa
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South Africa is intensively farming and commercially trading big cats. The growing exploitation includes not only indigenous species such as lions and leopards, but also exotic species like tigers and jaguars.

Big cats are being traded both legally and illegally, fuelling an international market for traditional Asian medicine products and so-called luxury items. This contributes to the decline of the species in the wild and a worldwide biodiversity crisis.

As long as there is trade, every big cat has a price on its head.

0

Breeding farms operate across South Africa

between 0-12,000

lions and an unknown number of tigers are kept in captivity across the country

0ZAR

Lion cubs are sold for between ZAR 10,000-15,000 (EUR 500-900)
Tiger cubs are sold for between ZAR 15,000-25,000 (EUR 800-1,500) 

General scenes at the Moreson Ranch lion Farm in Vrede, South Africa

Wild vs. Captive: The Life of an African Lion

A look into the life of the African lion and its possible future

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Group of three lion and tiger cubs

Wildlife Trade

Wildlife trade is the legal and illegal commerce of wild organisms, such as animals, plants and fungi, their parts or derived products

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Male and female lions behind fence

South Africa’s Out-Of-Control Big Cat Industry - And How to Tackle It

FOUR PAWS’ new report examines the country’s involvement in the commercial exploitation, legal and illegal trade of big cat species

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Tiger Trade

Roadmap to closing captive tiger facilities of concern

An outline on how to address the complexities associated with closing these facilities

More
Petting of white tiger cub

Barely Wild

Inside the big cat farming industry for tourism

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Tiger Face with black background

Year of the Tiger?

An investigative report into the big cat farming in South Africa and the need for international action

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Tiger cub in a cage

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Add your voice to ban the captive breeding of lions in South Africa

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Lions Nikola and Vasalyna at LIONSROCK

FOUR PAWS Responses to SA Public Consultations

Feedback and recommendations on a number of public consultations, policy documents and positions, related to the protection of big cats in South Africa

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General scenes at the Moreson Ranch lion Farm in Vrede, South Africa

Wild vs. Captive: The Life of an African Lion

A look into the life of the African lion and its possible future

More
Group of three lion and tiger cubs

Wildlife Trade

Wildlife trade is the legal and illegal commerce of wild organisms, such as animals, plants and fungi, their parts or derived products

More
Lion at LIONSROCK

#BreakTheViciousCycle Milestones

Celebrating achievements and accomplishments in the fight against the big cat trade in South Africa

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lion in cage

South Africa’s Captive Big Cat Industry

FOUR PAWS is fighting to end the captive breeding and keeping of lions and other big cats for commercial purposes.

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Tiger Face with black background

Year of the Tiger?

An investigative report into the big cat farming in South Africa and the need for international action

More
Lion in a sanctuary

END OF CAPTIVE LION BREEDING IN SIGHT 

SA Government announces the end of the intensive breeding of lions in captivity

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Lion looking out beyond cage

CAPTIVE BREEDING FACTS

We're fighting to end the captive breeding and keeping of lions and other big cats for commercial purposes

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The Vicious Cycle Lion

The Vicious Cycle

A review of the exploitation of South Africa's captive big cats & its people

Read here
Adult tiger behind fence

FOUR PAWS at CITES CoP19

What is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and why is FOUR PAWS participating?

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The Sad Reality

Big cat farming in South Africa

Lioness in a small enclosure

Intensive breeding 

Tiger being walked on a lead

A lifetime of exploitation

Tiger's keeping in a wagon as part of big cats performance

More valuable dead than alive 

Three things you can do...

to protect big cats

Spread the word!

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Spread the word!


Not enough people know South Africa is farming big cats!

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Don’t participate!

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Don’t participate!


 Selfies with tiger and lion cubs fuel the big cat trade!

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Stay informed!

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Stay informed!


FOUR PAWS wants to engage in discussions with the South Africa Government and we need your voice and support in the debate!

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Lion

We Need Your Help


Sign our petition to demand an end to the commercial trade of all big cats and their parts in South Africa

Sign now!

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