In South
Africa the conservation authorities from time to time are requested to capture
and remove large predators from areas where they can potentially pose a threat
to humans and their livestock.Quite a few landowners have also up to now chosen to ignore the conservation laws and have set up predator breeding facilities on their land illegally to supply a growing canned hunting industry.

In this practise large predators and in particular lions, are bred in captivity and many of them eventually end up as a trophy on a hunter's wall. The hunting of such captive bred animals are unethical, but the practise of removing very small cubs from their mothers (which most people are totally unaware of) is inhumane and morally completely unacceptable. Lion breeders remove small cubs from their mothers so that the lioness will come into oestrus again to produce even more little cubs for the hunting industries.

Many surplus zoo lions (mostly males) are imported into South Africa to be hunted or to increase genetic diversity in the captive lion breeding projects. Many other predators such as Bengal tigers, clouded leopards and jaguars are being bred in South Africa after they have been purchased from surplus zoo stock.

Six lions will arrive at SanWild later this week. You can become involved with this project and help SanWild with the upkeep for the lions by adopting or sponsoring your own African lion until they can safely be re-homed and by doing so ensure their long-term well-being. For more information email us at info@afritrust.com or phone the SanWild office at +27 (0) 15-3187900 or 3187901.

SanWild will be working hand in hand with the conservation law enforcement officers to find alternative and suitable destinations for the lions ASAP. You can help to ensure the health of these magnificent cats by adopting a lion in the Adopt Me section of the site.