Cabinet approves end to caged breeding

Cabinet has agreed to end the controversial captive breeding of lions and rhinos. It approved a Policy Position submitted by Environment Minister Barbara Creecy to close lion facilities and end commercial exploitation of lions and ‘canned’ hunts. Daily Maverick reports that it also agreed to phase out intensive management and captive breeding of rhinos and to enhance the conservation of wild leopards and limit the live export of lions, elephants, leopards and both rhino species to only habitats within Africa. This effectively curbs the growing Asian demand for zoo specimens. On the export of rhino horn and ivory, the policy says SA would work to support international trade, only when ‘conditions became favourable’. It does not specify what these conditions are, but does provide a local platform upon which the contested CITES ban on export can be debated. It says there is ‘no immediate intention to trade in rhino horn.’ According to a media statement by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, the policy ‘will transform practices within the wildlife industry that are not conducive to animal well-being and promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in general, and these species in particular.