Grace Kahler/Humane World for Animals

Urge the South African government to protect all big cats!

Please urge the South African government to 1) ban the breeding of all big cats and predators in captivity; 2) ban public contact with big cat species and other captive predators, including interactive experiences like cub petting and “walking with” experiences; and 3) ban the keeping of big cat species as pets or as ambassador species in captive or so-called educational facilities.

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Dear Ministers John Steenhuisen and Dr Dion George,

We commend the government for their commitment to closing the captive lion industry. However, there has been no discussion surrounding closing the breeding and keeping of other exotic and indigenous big cats and predators, including tigers, cheetahs, leopards and jaguars, which could ultimately form a replacement industry. 

South Africa has approximately 342 facilities that breed and keep an estimated 7,800 lions, along with 2,315 other big cats and predators, for the pet and animal interaction industry, trophy hunting and the bone/wildlife trade. Even with CITES trade restrictions, lion and tiger bone is still regularly exported illegally out of South Africa. 

At the start of 2023, the escapes of three “pet” tigers in the greater Johannesburg area, one resulting in the destruction of a tiger named Sheba, made world news. These are not the first events that have resulted in concerns over the keeping of exotic wild animals as pets. 

Both exotic and indigenous wild predators require extremely specialised care, and a huge amount of space that the average owner cannot provide. Big cats are apex predators who, by their very nature, kill for their survival. They pose significant safety risks to their owners, and the surrounding community. Between 1996 and 2020, 52 big cat attacks (31% were fatal) were reported (Marnewick, K and de Waal, L. Biting the Hand that Feeds You: Attacks by Captive Carnivores Cause Deaths and Injuries in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research). Of these, 66% involved tourists, damaging South Africa’s reputation as a safe and responsible tourist destination.

Keeping these animals as pets or tourist interaction commodities has serious welfare concerns for the individual animals. Without adequate regulations providing for the security, health and well-being of these animals, the public at large will be constantly at risk. This issue needs to be nationally addressed to prevent another unregulated industry breeding large exotic wild animals to grow again. 

We request that: 
-	Your commitment to end the captive breeding of lions be extended to include all predator species. 
-   The immediate development of a phase out plan and clear timelines for full closure of the industry be implemented.
-	Action is taken by the DFFE to prohibit the keeping of all predators as pets. 
-	Legislation should ban public contact with all predators, including keeping such species as ambassador/entertainment animals, interactive experiences like cub petting and “walking with” experiences, and voluntourism.

This is strongly endorsed by Humane World for Animals Africa, Blood Lions, FOUR PAWS, World Animal Protection, Born Free Foundation and Voice4Lions.

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