Lion Bone Trade

Civil society groups urge Ramaphosa to block DA plan to replace environment minister

Civil society and animal welfare groups have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to reject the proposal to replace Dion George with Willem Aucamp

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

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