Cape Town, 25 July 2024 – As we celebrate International Tiger Day on 29 July, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS calls attention to the urgent plight of tigers within the country. While not native to South Africa, tigers have become a significant part of the big cat industry, fuelling a global commercial  trade and also perpetuating an illegal trade in all big cat species including lions.

More than 600 tigers are known to the authorities in South Africa, but FOUR PAWS estimates this number to be much higher based on years of research. The tigers are bred on farms for a commercial trade in both live tigers and their body parts. South Africa is the world’s largest exporter of big cats and their parts, which fuels Asian markets where demand for big cat body parts is evidenced as a major contributor to the decline of all big cats in the wild. Unfortunately, the South African lion industry now includes tigers and other big cats which has only increased South Africa’s negative role in global conservation and the legal and illegal trade from South Africa compromises enforcement and conservation efforts across the globe. It also hinders efforts behind demand reduction campaigns across Asian consumer markets.

FOUR PAWS is campaigning to close the big cat industry in South Africa including non-native species such as tigers. “We believe there is no place in the conservation of any species for industrial scale farming to meet demands for body parts to be used in pseudo medicines and for luxury items. If tiger range states are to reverse the declines of tiger populations and poaching of wild tigers, then South Africa needs to halt its supply of tigers and tiger parts,”said Fiona Miles Director of FOUR PAWS. “South Africa should not be exporting lions to establish lion farms in Asian countries which exacerbates big cat farming globally and fuels markets for body parts. Markets that have and always will put an emphasis on wild animals and not captive bred. It’s a dangerous experiment that justifies an animal welfare crisis when big cats are farmed on an industrial scale, increasing demand and fuelling the decline of wild populations. South Africa should play a leading role in global conservation and not allow an industry to exist that only benefits a small number or breeders,” said Miles.

In a joint effort in 2023, FOUR PAWS, WWF, EIA, other organisations and NGOs published a Roadmap to closing captive tiger facilities of concern. This includes a set of recommendations to phase out captive tiger facilities of concern and prevent the creation or growth of further such facilities. This Roadmap is exactly what needs to be actioned for the closure of the big cat industry. It outlines a strategic plan of action, designed to address the complexities associated with closing these facilities.

FOUR PAWS urges the public to support efforts to close these breeding farms and protect these majestic creatures. The organisation advocates for the implementation of stricter regulations under the revised NEMBA to prevent the commercial trade of big cats and calls for enhanced enforcement to stop illegal activities. It urges the  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to develop an implementation plan for the phase out of the captive lion breeding industry with time-bound goals, that includes all other big cat species.

Key Facts:

• Captive Big Cats: Over 600 tigers are known to be kept on more than 300 captive facilities in South Africa and based on FOUR PAWS research, it estimates this to be much higher alongside approximately 10,000 lions.  
• Trade: The big cat industry in South Africa acts as a conduit for illegal trade of big cat and perpetuates demand for big cat body parts globally
• Impact: South Africa is the largest global exporter of big cats and their parts, this trade contributes to a global biodiversity crisis, further endangering tiger and other big cat populations worldwide.

FOUR PAWS is committed to breaking the vicious cycle of big cat exploitation and urges the public to participate by spreading awareness, refraining from supporting businesses that exploit big cats, and signing petitions demanding the enforcement of stricter regulations.

For more information on how you can help, visit FOUR PAWS South Africa.