In South Africa, a 6-month-old lion cub named Freya has found a new home at the Drakenstein Lion Park after being rescued from the wildlife trade in Lebanon. Although her relocation marks a partial success, it is a reminder of South Africa’s complex relationship with lions. The country, known for its conservation efforts and ethical sanctuaries like Drakenstein, also houses a thriving captive lion business. This industry involves breeding lions for petting encounters and “canned hunting” experiences, as well as the lion bone trade.
South Africa holds special permission from CITES (the endangered plant and animal trade treaty) to export lion bones and skeletons, primarily to Southeast Asia for use in traditional medicines. Canned hunting, where lions are hunted in enclosed areas with no chance of escape, is also legal. Animal welfare groups have been advocating for an end to the captive lion breeding industry.
Recently, the South African government announced plans to shut down this industry, with an estimated timeline of two to three years if there are no legal challenges. Critics argue that the captive lion industry should make it clearer to visitors that the majority of South Africa’s lions live in cages within the world’s largest captive lion industry.
Freya’s rescuers hope she will bond with a young male cub named Pi, who was also rescued from Lebanon and is believed to be her brother. Pi was illegally trafficked and used for promotional purposes on TikTok, often with his mouth taped shut and locked in a small cage at night. Freya and Pi, along with nearly two dozen other big cats, were rescued by Animals Lebanon.
Although Freya and Pi wouldn’t survive if released into the wild, the sanctuary provides the best option for them. Their enclosure at Drakenstein, while not the wild, offers them a chance to live out their lives in a more natural environment compared to the cages of the captive lion industry.
