High Level Panel

National Dialogue: South Africa’s elusive search for a social compact

Critics wondered whether the convention would follow through with local ward talks and implement recommendations

Nkateko Joseph Mabasa

In January last year, the department of environmental affairs in the Free State and the national department of forestry, fisheries and environment, together with the SPCA, inspected Steilfontein farm, in Petrus Steyn, where several feline predators were held captive. (Pers-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

13 JUL 2023

Lion owners in talks to exit industry

Although some progress has been made, finding solutions for the future of more than 7 400 captive lions and thousands of workers at the 519 facilities is complex and will take…

Sheree Bega

8 min read

At risk: South Africa, home to the world’s largest population of rhino, is critical to the conservation of this species, which are targeted by poachers. (Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images)

BARBARA CREECY

31 JUL 2021

Reservations about ‘new deal’ for rhinos, lions, elephant, leopards

Draft policy promotes species playing their role in wilderness systems but one conservationist says leopards are being sold out

Sheree Bega

6 min read

ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT ACT

14 MAY 2021

Wildlife farming vs Creecy’s panel

The departments of environment and agriculture legislation are at odds over modifying the genes of wild animals

Sheree Bega

5 min read

A lion attempts to jump the fence of its enclosure, at a lion breeding farm near Tosca, in the North West Province. (Photo by Naashon Zalk/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

BARBARA CREECY

9 MAY 2021

Wildlife owners may target state

South Africa has about 350 facilities with 8 000 to 12 000 lions bred in captivity for commercial use in cub petting, canned hunting and the lion bone and other body parts trade.

Sheree Bega

6 min read