The South African government is cracking down on private big cat breeding, but the new regulations are creating uncertainty in the controversial industry. Veuer’s Matt Hoffman reports.
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00:00South Africa's wildlife policy is leaving breeders in limbo.
00:03In April, the government implemented recommendations to phase out breeding captive big game
00:08and ban the use of lions for commercial gain.
00:10But the state hasn't provided financial incentives for lion owners
00:13or set a deadline for the cessation of breeding.
00:16Bloomberg reports that the policies were driven by outrage over practices like canned hunting,
00:20in which big cats are released into small enclosures to be shot by paying hunters.
00:24Fiona Miles is the director of Four Paws, an organization that supports the bans.
00:29The facilities who currently have these animals need to be held accountable for their welfare.
00:34In many cases, Four Paws has seen a complete opposite of this,
00:39a lack of welfare being implemented because these animals are merely commodities.
00:43But Willie LaRue says his institution, Ukathula Lodge and Game Reserve,
00:47helps to facilitate wildlife research.
00:50Is the government going to give us exemption for the work that we do?
00:53Because the government is intent on closing down a lot of the tourism.
00:59Associated with captive lions.
01:02And that has basically been the backbone of the financial support that our research has enjoyed.
01:09For now, these big cats' futures remain uncertain.