Open letter to:

Ms Barbara Creecy Ms Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu Minister of Environment, Forestry and Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry Fisheries (DEFF) and Fisheries (DEFF) Ms Mr Sdumo Dlamini Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform Rural Development (DALRRD) and Rural Development (DALRRD) Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane Mr Minister of Tourism Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr Dr Mathume Joseph 'Joe' Phaahla Minister of Health Deputy Minister of Health

03 July 2020

Re: Youth call for a zero CITES lion bone quota and the phasing out of captive predator breeding in South Africa

Honourable Ms Creecy, Ms Didiza, Ms Kubayi-Ngubane and Dr Mkhize

The undersigned members of the public urge the addressed Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the South African Government to set a zero CITES lion bone export quota in perpetuity, thereby supporting the global call to ban live wildlife markets as well as the use of wildlife products for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

South Africa is one of the few countries in Africa that allows the intensive captive breeding and keeping of lions and other big cats for commercial purposes. In more than 350 facilities big cats, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, caracals, servals, and many exotic species, such as tigers, jaguars, pumas, and even ligers (a crossbreed between lions and tigers), are bred and kept in mostly substandard conditions.

Decisions related to the breeding and keeping of big cats in captivity in South Africa not only fall under the auspices of DEFF and DALRRD, but also impact on the Departments of Tourism and Health. Exploitation of the majority of big cats bred in captivity starts in the tourism industry, where local and international visitors and young volunteers pay to cuddle, bottle- feed and walk with big cats, such as lions, tigers and cheetahs, which are later killed for their trophies in captive hunts. Many of these activities are offered under the guise of supporting conservation when in actual fact these are purely commercial activities that reflect negatively on both South Africa’s tourism and conservation reputations.

Given the potential consequences for human and animal health, the two billion cases of human illness and over two million human deaths caused by zoonoses each year, it is critical to closely examine the potential role of the captive breeding industry in zoonotic disease transmission and outbreak. Studies have shown that the risk of disease transmission is prevalent across all aspects of the wildlife trade, in particular when wildlife and people are in close proximity. For example, bovine tuberculosis has been documented among both wild and captive-bred lions, posing a potential, but real risk of zoonosis to consumers of TCM. However, it also poses a risk to the people involved in the lion bone trade, particularly those who work on breeding farms and at slaughter and processing facilities in South Africa. As with the current COVID-19 pandemic, people with comorbidity are most at risk.

The intensive breeding of predators in captivity inevitably results in large numbers of animals, sometimes even different species, held in overcrowded conditions in close proximity, causing immense stress and weakened immune systems. These stressful conditions under which animals are typically farmed, transported and even slaughtered exacerbate the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Given the conditions in which the commercial lion breeding and keeping industry in South Africa currently operates, the scale of trade in lions and their body parts, and their susceptibility to carrying a wide range of pathogens, it is likely that lions and other big cats could play a central role in the emergence and transmission of disease to people. Improved animal welfare standards and biosecurity protocols could help to better safeguard not only lion welfare but also human health; however, the only effective, practical and cost-efficient way to significantly improve their welfare status is to shift away from the farming of lions in South Africa.

While traditional medicine is a recognized medicinal system in many countries and cultures, including South Africa, the vast majority of ingredients are historically plant or mineral based, with hundreds of recognized alternatives to ingredients derived from wildlife. Studies have

shown that over 80% of traditional medicine consumers would consider herbal or synthetic alternatives to wild animal products. The trade in wildlife, their parts and derivatives for traditional medicine is not only unnecessary and indefensible, but also poses a risk to global human health. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of loss of human life, physical and mental health, the national and global economy, livelihoods and the quality of public life has been utterly devastating, and cannot be underestimated.

In conclusion, the breeding and keeping of lions in captivity in South Africa for commercial purposes, such as tourism activities and wildlife trade, poses a severe threat to human and animal health and welfare. We call on the Departments addressed above to collaborate on an interdepartmental level to work towards phasing out the captive breeding of lions and other big cats, and restoring our world-renowned conservation and tourism reputations.

Specifically, we strongly recommend decisions are made and steps taken to facilitate:

 An immediate end to commercial activities involving direct interaction between people and lions and their derivatives, including cub petting and other hands-on tourism and volunteer related encounters, captive or “canned” trophy hunting, and the preparation and export of lion bones and skeletons.  A commitment from DEFF and DALRRD to phase out breeding practices on commercial farms to ensure that the current lions are the last generation bred in captivity.  The implementation of a zero CITES annual export quota for lion skeletons, parts and derivatives in conjunction with the destruction of pre-existing stockpiles of lion bones, to reduce the demand for commercial captive predator breeding operations.

We welcome your consideration on this important matter and are on standby to assist.

Yours sincerely,

For and on behalf of 622 concerned members of the public.