Call for persons to register their details and participate in the voluntary exit from the Captive Lion Industry Programme by surrendering their legal stockpiles of lion (Panthera Leo) bones and derivatives

In December 2022, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, under section 3A of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), appointed a Ministerial Task Team to identify and recommend voluntary exit options and pathways from the captive lion industry. Recommendations, dated 15 February 2024, were submitted to the minister and the report was released to the public on 03 April 2024. The minister re-appointed some of the Ministerial Task Team members, to facilitate the implementation of the outcomes of the report. The Terms of Reference were published under Government Notice No 4765, Government Gazette No. 50574 of 26 April 2024. 

The report recommended voluntary exit options from the captive lion industry, including options involving lion bone stockpiles and derivatives (whole lion carcasses, skeletons, skins, teeth, claws and other parts). It also recommended the implementation of a programme to acquire and legally dispose of legal lion bone stockpiles, for facilities that comply with voluntary exit requirements outlined in the report.

The department will facilitate the acquisition of legal lion bones stockpiles through a contractual agreement between the volunteering legal lion bone owners and any third parties to the agreement. Parties with live captive lions willing to voluntarily register for this programme, will be required to sterilise their lions, refrain from acquiring or accepting any additional live captive lions, and ensure the maitainance of welfare and well-being standards for the lions in their care. Parties to the voluntary exit programme will be required to apply for the necessary TOPS permits. 

The minister hereby invites persons who wish to consider the voluntary exit options involving lion bones and derivatives, to register their interest by submitting their details using the contacts provided. All information provided will be treated confidentially, and registration does not constitute any obligation to proceed with voluntary exit options. 

A detailed implementation process plan of surrendering lion stockpiles and derivatives will be communicated and shared in the public domain, once approved by the minister and the registration process is concluded. 

• Gazetted notices: 

  • 14 Nov 24: National Environmental Management Act (107/1998): General notice calling for persons to register their details and participate in the voluntary exit from the Captive Lion Industry Programme by surrendering their legal stockpiles of lion (Panthera Leo) bones and derivatives [G 51551 – GN 5539] [PDF - 273 kb]

• Forms: 

  • Online registration form [Google forms - web-based] 
  • Downloadable registration form [PDF - 1.1 mb]
    
    
• 15 November 2024 | media release - Public is encouraged to voluntarily surrender lion bones and derivatives