No ban on canned lions - but govt to offer incentives to stop breeding

Captive lion breeders will be offered incentives to exit the industry, which is jeopardising South Africa's status as a premier wildlife destination and has raised concerns about the well-being of these mammals.

Eight viable options for the voluntary exit of captive lion breeding have been unveiled in a report published by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) on Wednesday. 

Cabinet approved the report and its recommendations by a ministerial task team, which was appointed in December 2022 to look into win-win options for breeders to voluntarily exit the industry.