A lion farm has been exposed for keeping lions in terrible conditions.
The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and inspectors from Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs discovered several contraventions of the Animal Protection Act during inspection on the Free State farm earlier this month.
A number of lions were found in poor physical health with no access to drinking water, housed in enclosures containing decomposing food and bones and in overcrowded conditions infested with parasites.
The NSPCA said there were also 13 lion carcasses in a locked freezer container, with rotting meat on the floor.
Director of Four Paws in South Africa Fiona Miles said: “Four Paws is appalled that this is still a reality in South Africa. Lions are being exploited for tourism, trophy hunting, and trade in their body parts. We urge the South African Government to act and urgently move forward with its decision to eliminate the industry.”
In May, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy revealed plans to ban breeding of lions in captivity for trophy hunting or for tourists to pet, calling for a more authentic experience for visitors.
Miles said: “While the legislative process takes its course, Four Paws urges government to implement emergency interim regulations to ensure further suffering of this nature does not take place.
“We highly recommend authorities revoke licenses and sentence those contravening existing legislation. This is absolutely necessary to set the precedent that animal abuse and exploitation of this kind will not be tolerated.”
She also said they were calling on government to break the vicious cycle and pass legislation that prohibits the trade of all big cats for commercial purposes.
“Four Paws will continue to fight until we can end the exploitation of our vulnerable species,” said Miles.
