Buthelezi fights canned lion hunting
Legislation on canned lion hunting is weak, ambiguous and full of loopholes
PRINCE Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a patron of Wildlands Conservation Trust, together with Four Paws International, handed over a petition calling for the cessation of canned lion hunting in South Africa.
He handed over a letter written to the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa on Tuesday.
The letter has been signed by 545 130 people who stand in solidarity against the captive breeding of lions for commercial purposes.
In his letter to the minister, Buthelezi said the minister is the government leader responsible for legislation that protects our lions.
The signatories request that the current legislation be scrutinised and amended to ensure that the hunting of captive-bred lions is prohibited, under any circumstances, and that lions are no longer allowed to be bred for purely commercial purposes.
Legislation on canned lion hunting is weak, ambiguous and full of loopholes, enabling the continued hunting of captive-bred lions who have been taught to trust humans.
‘The IFP wants to change that. We want captive breeding of lions restricted to registered zoos and registered facilities that demonstrate a clear conservation benefit’, said Buthelezi.
He requested that the matter be raised at the next Cabinet meeting.
Buthelezi also called on the minister to discourage international delegates attending the CITES CoP 17 meeting this month in Johannesburg from being lured by the prospect of petting a lion cub or walking with captive-bred lions as part of their South African experience.
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