Cape Town, 29 November 2024 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS welcomes the strong stance taken by South Africa’s newly appointed Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr Dion George, against the lion bone trade. Minister George recently described the trade as “unacceptable and must end,” signalling a potential turning point in the fight to protect big cats from exploitation and abuse.

South Africa has long been the epicentre of a lucrative and harmful big cat industry, the CITES trade database revealed more than 3,500 live animals and 34,000 body parts were exported over the last two decades. Yet, the true extent of the illegal trade remains hidden. FOUR PAWS has consistently called for urgent government action to close the legal loopholes enabling the breeding, trade, and killing of big cats, particularly lions and tigers.

“We commend Minister Dion George for taking a strong stance against the lion bone trade and recognising its devastating consequences on animal welfare and conservation efforts,” says Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa. “This statement is a step in the right direction, and we are eager to collaborate with the government to ensure that these words translate into effective policy and action.”

The lion bone trade is fuelled by industrial-scale breeding facilities that exploit legal gaps to traffic big cats and their body parts, often under the guise of conservation. South Africa’s fragmented regulations have allowed breeders to operate unchecked, creating a haven for criminal networks and enabling a cruel and profit-driven industry.

FOUR PAWS continues to advocate for:

• South Africa to prohibit all commercial trade of big cats, parts and derivatives within, into and from the country.
• South Africa to end the captive keeping of all big cats for commercial purposes, close captive big cat facilities, end the intensive breeding of big cats in controlled environments, and end the commercial exploitation of captive and captive-bred big cats.
• South Africa phases out its big cat industry, implementing a phase-out plan with goal of a complete closure by 2030.
• South Africa to implement all relevant CITES Decisions and Resolutions relating to big cats.
• South Africa takes the leading role in advocating for the protection of all big cats by proposing that they be granted the same level of protection under CITES.

“The crimes of the big cat industry are far-reaching, undermining both animal welfare and conservation efforts worldwide. South Africa’s role in this industry must end to protect captive and wild populations of big cats. Minister George’s words provide hope, but time is of the essence,” Miles emphasises.

FOUR PAWS offers its full support to the South African government in developing and implementing policies to protect all big cats. Through its #BreakTheViciousCycle campaign, the organisation has exposed the scale of the problem and provided actionable recommendations for reform.

“We stand ready to work with Minister George and his team to help South Africa reclaim its position as a leader in conservation and ethical wildlife practices,” says Miles. “Together, we can bring an end to this exploitative industry and restore dignity to these magnificent animals.”

For more information about the FOUR PAWS #BreakTheViciousCycle campaign, visit FOUR PAWS South Africa.

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