December 13th, 2008 - Lion breeders in court

Threats over hunting
Dec 03 2008 09:17:32:983PM - (SA)

Elise Tempelhoff

Bloemfontein. – The South African Predators Association and Minister Van Schalkwyk are in a legal battle over sections of the TOPS regulations on protected and endangered species, which provide that a captive bred and half tame lion may only be hunted after being set free to support itself for a period of 24 months.
Advocate Barnard Knoetze SC, acting on behalf of Mr. Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, told the Supreme Court:
"Government received hundreds of petitions from across the world threatening a major tourism boycott should they not ban the canned hunting of lions."

The Lion Breeders Association, composed of over one hundred and twenty lion breeders,is challenging the validity of the new regulations.

The lion breeders argued that should a captive lion be required to be set free for a period of 24 months before it may be hunted, this regulation would "kill the industry that has created thousands of jobs and that is worth millions of rands."

In reply Adv Knoetze argued that should a tourism boycott be implemented, it would have a much worse impact on the economy than any cessation of the lion breeding and hunting industry.

The breeders also alleged that Minister Van Schalkwyk deliberately stipulated for a 24 months period in order to close the industry down. They asked why the lion (Panthera Leo) was “singled out” and was not regarded in the same light as the hunting of other game animals such as kudu, buffalo or blue wildebeest.

Judge Ian van der Merwe in reply to this question said that “there is a huge difference” between the hunting of a captive bred or tame lion and the hunting of a wild herbivore species which only eats grass and does not need to be fed by humans.

According to the breeders, game breeders deserve credit for saving crocodiles, rhinos and black wildebeest from extinction in South Africa.

Game breeders bred these specific animals and then sold them to hunters to recover the costs of breeding the animals. They complain that should the industry be shut down, at least 4000 lions will have to be destroyed. They contend that it costs a lion breeder R260 000 to support a free roaming lion.
They also claim to be opposed to canned hunting and also do not condone cruelty to animals.
Judge Van der Merwe remarked that “any person with common sense should oppose canned hunting”

Adv Knoetze said that everyone had a fair opportunity to give input, even the 'greenies.' He said:

“The panel initially recommended that canned hunting should be banned altogether. Later the minister and the panel agreed to compromise and eventually decided on the period of 24 months.”

Even if the breeders' cost claims were true, answered Knoetze, lion breeders will still make a healthy profit as they are able to sell a trophy male lion for R600 000 to a hunter.

Judgment has been reserved.