Category: 2016

Cape Town – The newly appointed CEO for South Africa Tourism, Sisa Ntshona has taken a bold stance against tourism products based on the exploitation of wild animals, saying he will work with sustainable tourism authorities to ‘eradicate’ the industry.

“South African Tourism does not promote or endorse any interaction with wild animals such as the petting of wild cats, interacting with elephants and walking with lions, cheetahs and so on,” Ntshona said in a recent webinar hosted by Tourism Update.

He also said that conservation authorities’ concerns about cub petting and other wildlife interaction practices are taken extremely seriously and that SA Tourism is in discussion with the “Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme to see how we can work more closely with them to eradicate such practices”.

“Our marketing efforts promote an authentic and credible tourism experience to all our tourists, and this includes an authentic wildlife experience to keep it as “wild” and natural as possible,” Ntshona says.

Many sustainable and conservation-minded authorities have congratulated Ntshona on his bold stance.

The international award-winning Blood Lions documentary team backed him for “his ethical vision”, and offered their “full support to him and the department in getting rid of these horrific practices.

“If South Africa wants to market itself as a destination offering ethical and responsible tourism, there cannot be any place for predator breeding, canned hunting and the use of lions and other species as our ‘play things’,” Blood Lions says on Facebook.

“We call on the entire tourism industry to embrace the stance of SA Tourism and Sisa Ntshona.”

Ntshona’s sentiments and vision for SA Tourism’s affiliation with wildlife interaction programmes is a highlight in the efforts to end petting and the canned lion industry – which undeniably goes hand-in-hand.

The struggle in ending such practices has been a difficult one with many ups and downs. Although there has been great victories, such as various global airlines’ banning the transport of lion trophies, and the US’s ban recent bans on captive-bred lion trophies, such victories came at a great cost of captive lion populations’ lives and their livelihoods.

And still, even following a great push for captive lion hunting and exporting to be stopped at the recent Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) held in SA, the practice remains legal.

It is estimated that approximately 1 000 captive-bred, hand-reared lions were killed in the country in 2015, fuelling a multi-million-dollar international industry to boom even more.

Money and the financial gain from such industries remain the big evil. The Joburg Lion Park, for example, reopened their cub-petting practices after initially saying they would stop the programme when they moved to a new location outside Johannesburg.

Alas, Lion Park manager Whin Booyens told Traveller24 that the high demand for cub petting was causing their visitors to rather visit their opposition, where such activities were still offered.

“Unless our competitors also stopped the cub petting, the massive R100m investment in our new world class facility, the survival of our business and the livelihoods of all our staff would be at stake,” Booyens said at the time.

Thus, unless there is an overall ban on cub petting and other canned practices, it is clear that they will continue despite their controversy.

For now, the global trade in the bones, claws and teeth of captive-bred lions in South Africa remain legal, but Blood Lions have made it clear that they will continue their campaign to end the captive bred lion industry and trading of lion products for good.

The Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA) is to defend its position on captive-bred lion hunting and breeding in the Pretoria High Court on 22 November.

Ironically, the court date coincides with the association’s 39th annual general meeting (AGM) to be held from 21 to 23 November this year.

A year ago, the majority of members voted in favour of the association’s resolution to distance itself from captive-bred lion (CBL) hunting and breeding until such time as the South African Predators Association (SAPA) could convince PHASA and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) of the conservation value of captive-bred lions.

Today, PHASA’s CBL resolution still stands; SAPA has failed to prove the above.

“Members engaging in CBL activities would be in direct violation of PHASA’s constitution, and would face an internal disciplinary hearing, which will end in dismissal if found guilty,” explains PHASA President, Stan Burger.

Why go to court?

Some PHASA members who wish to continue hunting CBL, and had their membership of PHASA suspended by the executive committee, have challenged their suspensions and the resolution taken at the 2015 AGM by approaching the court.

“PHASA stands by its resolution to distance itself from captive-bred lion hunting and breeding, and will defend its CBL resolution in court,” says Burger

PHASA’s concerns

“PHASA’s concern is rooted in the fact that the prevailing view amongst carnivore specialists, is that “the breeding of lions in captivity does not contribute to the conservation of the species,” notes Burger.

The above-mentioned view is shared by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the IUCN, the US Fish & Wildlife Services (USFWS), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and many more, including local hunting associations and many prominent international hunting associations (and hunters) across the globe.

The mere adherence to the minimum national and provincial legislative requirements of our country and/or the SAPA norms and accreditation process does not lend CBL shooting any credibility nor give it any social license. “No activity that is not socially acceptable is sustainable,” adds Burger.

“Captive-bred lion breeding and shooting does not uphold the moral principle that justifies responsible, ethical and legal hunting of wild lion (where the conservation value of hunting has been scientifically proven time and again) under the conditions of Fair Chase. For this reason, it is ethically indefensible and we will not support it,” says Burger.

Cape Town – The highly controversial canned lion documentary Blood Lions has been named the ‘Best Documentary feature film’ at the 23rd International Environmental Film Festival (FICMA), recently held in Barcelona, Spain.

And to add to the prestige of the international recognition, the Festival Internacional de Cine del Medio Ambiente is the oldest International environmental film festival in the world.

Pippa Hankinson, producer of the Blood Lions film says she is “immensely honoured and proud to accept the special award” on behalf of the entire Blood Lions team.

The award serves as a beacon of hope in a conservation journey that has been plagued with backlash in the canned lion hunting industry over the past year. Although there has been great victories, such as various global  airlines’ banning the transport of lion trophies, and the US’s ban recent bans on captive-bred lion trophies, the victories came at a great cost of captive lion populations’ lives and their livelihoods.

The Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (Phasa) earlier this year also took a stand against captive lion breeding, when its executive committee suspended the membership of those who continued hunting captive bred lions.

Phasa said it was willing to go to the Pretoria High Court to defend its decision regarding the hunting of lions bred in captivity,  after the suspended members have legally challenged their suspensions.

Blood Lions commented on the matter saying, “it is clear from the respective stands being taken between PHASA and South African Predators Association (SAPA) that the lines are being drawn on two key aspects: ethics and the contribution, or lack thereof, that breeding lions for canned hunts makes to conservation.

“Blood Lions commends PHASA for being prepared to defend their stance in court against expelled members, most of whom it would seem have now joined SAPA. Shooting captive reared lions in enclosed areas can never be regarded as ethical, and the entire recognised conservation community has stated there is no conservation benefit to breeding lions in captivity.”

Many conservation efforts to ban captive lion breeding and hunting came about after the airing or extensive global media coverage of the Blood Lions documentary.

Blood Lions is a feature documentary that exposes the captive lion breeding and canned hunting industry in South Africa.

It is estimated that approximately 1 000 captive-bred, hand-reared lions were killed in the country in 2015, fuelling a multi-million-dollar international industry.

A lot has been done since the first screening of the film to ban captive lion breeding, but at the most recent Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), canned lions’ fate were sealed: Global trade in the bones, claws and teeth of wild lions was imposed with exemptions for those harvested from captive-bred lions in South Africa.

In the wake of this decision, Blood Lions made it clear that they will continue their campaign to end the captive bred lion industry and trading of lion products for good.

FICMA Director Jaume Gil I Llopart thanked the Blood Lions team for participating in the festival and for making their hard-hitting film. He says the documentary comes at a much needed time in the global context of conservation.

“Thanks for putting in the forefront a story that, too often, goes unnoticed in the mass media, such as the business of hunting for emblematic animal species,” he thanked the Blood Lions team.

 

A coalition of three male lions was collared and released from their holding boma into the uMkhuze section of the South Africa’s first world heritage site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, late on the 18th of October 2016.

Big Cats

The lions, from the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve are genetically distinct from the pride of 16 lions presently residing in iSimangaliso, all of which are from the same blood line. The lions remained in the boma for several weeks before being released to acquaint themselves with the existing pride.

This introduction boosts the establishment of a viable population in iSimangaliso after the last lion was shot by conservationists some 47 years ago for going “rogue” in what was then an unfenced park. The first lion introductions back to iSimangaliso took place in December 2013 and 2014 respectively.

The first family of four lions translocated from Tembe Elephant Park were released in December 2013 and.comprised an adult female and three sub-adult offspring. Their arrival catapulted iSimangaliso to ‘Big 7’ status. This was followed by the coalition of two males (brothers) and three females during the course of 2014.

In order to slow down the breeding rate of the lions, the females underwent partial hysterectomies which is the removal of one horn of the uterus. Lions breed prolifically and this action should halve the number of litters obviating the need for translocations to other parks in the short-term. Since December 2013, three sets of cubs have swelled the ranks.

iSimangaliso now generates some 7% of the province’s tourism GDP and over 7 000 direct permanent tourism jobs.

All iSimangaliso’s adult lions are fitted with satellite collars to monitor their movements for biological and safety reasons. They are tracked daily by Park staff supported by Wildlife Act volunteers with the information feeding into Park management.

Wild Dogs

One of the most exciting sightings in the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park is that of the endangered wild dog (or African Painted Dog). With an estimated 1400 fully grown adult dogs left globally, the two packs that have been established in iSimangaliso’s uMkhuze form a vital part of South Africa’s metapopulation. A new litter of 14 healthy pups has been spotted and photographed in the last few days.

Cheetah Success Story

Another special resident of uMkhuze is the cheetah, a reintroduction success story despite initial challenges. Cheetah are categorised as vulnerable by the IUCN with a population of around 1500 adults in South Africa. Today, fifteen individuals live within this area some of which have tracking collars to assist management. There is a good chance of seeing these on a game drive within the park, especially while the vegetation is still so sparse. On Wednesday 19 October, no fewer than four individuals were spotted, while the previous weekend a visitor at the Mantuma Rest Camp captured photographs of a magnificent cheetah within metres of the huts.

Additional Facts

Several thousand heads of game have been translocated by iSimangaliso into the Park with the support of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife since 2000. All the game that historically occurred in the region (including oribi, tsessebe, black and white rhino, elephant, wild dog, cheetah, buffalo, waterbuck and blue wildebeest) with the exception of eland, have now been reintroduced.

Much of this work has been undertaken by community SMMEs, creating significant employment in an area marked by unemployment and poverty. Fencing was done by agreement with.communities, involving negotiations with seven traditional council chiefs and dozens of isigodi’s (wards).

For over a century, the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso has protected wildlife and biodiversity. Through flood and drought, political upheaval and disease, this remarkable 37 000 ha portion of the World Heritage Site has endured and displayed the utmost resilience. The soils are some of the richest to be found, regularly recovering from the stark barren destitution of drought periods to an abundance of nutritious grasses in times of rainfall. uMkhuze was renowned as one of the two last remaining bastions of black rhino in the 1960’s before the campaign to repopulate other areas.

Currently emerging from the worst recorded drought of our times, there is no doubt that uMkhuze will complete the natural cycle of rejuvenation, with the gradual return of spring rains bringing about a natural transformation. The rewilding process is almost complete and with all tourist network roads completely retarred and gravelled, the rebuild of hides, ablutions, the Fig Forest Walk and other visitor attractions and a new eMshophi Gate building well underway, this section of the Park is proudly placed as one of iSimangaliso’s greatest jewels.

WHILE disappointed with Nebank’s decision to stop “financing any activity constituting captive breeding of mammalian predator species for hunting or the exotic pet trade”, the South African Predators’ Association (Sapa) said it will not challenge the financial institution’s position, for now.

Nedbank said it wouldnot fund the canned lion and predator breeding sector following its engagements with several affected and impacted stakeholders, especially the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

It is understood the bank’s management also watched the recentlyreleased documentary feature film, Blood Lions, which claims that at least two to three lions are killed daily in South Africa in canned hunts.

The filmmakers lauded Nedbank for the move, saying hunting captivebred lions had little to do with conservation.

While reports say the bank’s move followed consultations with those who will be affected by its decision, Sapa, whose mandate includes the promotion of “the interests of its members with the view of … maintaining a healthy and profitable predator breeding and hunting industry in congruence with national and international conservation principles and current national and provincial legislation”, says no such engagements had taken place with Nedbank.

“They arrived at the decision on the basis of those they consulted. We are doing our homework, which will justify, as and when it’s time, that they review their stand,” Sapa board member Kirsten Bank cans cash for predator breeding sector Nematandani, said.

He said his organisation had a point to prove to the public that it was .`contributing” to conservation.

“Captive-bred lions have drawn attention away from wild lions.

“So, instead of poaching or hunting wild lions, people focus on captivebred lions. That is why wild lions were not on Appendix 1 during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).”

Sapa invested in a study to prove that captive-bred lions added “value to conservation”.

Once this information is available, Sapa will be in a position “to challenge” decisions such as the Nedbank one.

Nematandani said while they accepted that there were many issues facing the industry, much had been done since 2012 to improve its image for the better, including helping with the conservation of wild lions in Zimbabwe.

Captive-bred lion hunting, which is a significant part of the biodiversity sector in the North West, was one of the topics at the recent Bokone Bophirima Mebala Ya Rona Biodiversity Conference in Pilanesberg, where calls were made for stakeholders to work together for the success of the multimillion-rand industry.

Nedbank’s Kedibone Molopyane said: “Our engagements were done through the Endangered Wildlife Trust to gain a better understanding of the issue and related regulations. We then took a decision not to finance any activity constituting captive breeding of mammalian predator species for hunting or the exotic pet trade.”

Cape Town – The other half of one of Africa’s most special friendships has died. Jericho the lion, documented as one of the best friends of Cecil the Lion has died of natural causes.

Rumours were swirling on social media that he had been killed in a hunt just like Cecil, however this is not the case. The lion was apparently sick for a few weeks and Lions of Hwange is said to be waiting on an autopsy to establish cause.

Some of the reactions included, “He was a majestic old lion that lived and died in the wild – just as it should be,” – Friends of Hwange.

“Cecil was around 13 when he died. Looks like Jericho was at least that age. Bb the way, Cecil and Jericho weren’t actually blood brothers, just partners in a lion coalition. Jericho has been protecting (in a passive way, according to top conservationist Brent Stapelkamp in his FB post) Cecil’s cubs.

Many felt it was fitting how that Jericho had died of natural causes, saying this is how wild lions should live.

The hunt of Cecil, one of Zimbabwe’s most famous lion’s, has been instrumental in catapulting the issued of lion hunting onto the world stage – including canned lion hunting and the perceived disregard for the legalities around hunting permits in order to protect the species.

The most recent win for the species has been the US Fish and Wildlife Services effectively ruling that captive-bred lions serve no conservation purpose, banning any imports of captive bred lion trophy heads, skins, claws, teeth, and other lion parts from those kills.

Hand-reared lions cannot be released into the wild, according to wildlife experts and they also often suffer in captivity, with many hunters saying canned hunting violates the principle of “fair chase,” in which every animal has a reasonable chance to get away.  “This is huge,” says Ian Michler, investigative conservationist and the narrator of Blood Lions, a documentary released last year that exposed the canned lion industry.

While lions failed to be uplisted to CITES II at the recent CoP17 convention held in Johannesburg at the beginning of October.

A “zero annual export quota for bones, bone pieces, products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes” was set in the proposal said to be a compromised deal in an “attempt to appease the fierce opposition from lion bone and body part traders and the hunting for entertainment enthusiasts”.

Is this the end for Cecil’s pride?

Very unlikely. It’s true that when an “outside” male takes over a pride he will often kill cubs – and Cecil had around seven of them. But they’re older now and sources in Hwange say most of them are girls (so they may be seen by new males in a very different light).

Cape Town – Nedbank, one of South Africa’s leading commercial banks, has announced that they will no longer “finance any activity constituting captive breeding of mammalian predator species for hunting or the exotic pet trade”.

Blood Lions says the move is a significant and vital breakthrough for those fighting to end predator breeding, canned hunting and the exploitation of animals in the tourism industry.

According to a statement issued by Blood Lions, the move comes after the bank’s management “attended a number of workshops and engaged with interested and impacted stakeholders”, most notably the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), an organization at the forefront of the global campaign to end these activities.

“It has long been established that breeding predators for canned or captive hunts has nothing to do with conservation, but few have shown the vision to take an ethical stand. Nedbank have now done that. The Blood Lions team applauds Nedbank and EWT for their leadership on these issues and we appeal to South Africa’s other banks to follow this bold move,” says Ian Michler the investigative conservationist behind the canned lion hunting expose’.

The move comes just days after the US dealt an equally massive blow to the canned lion industry in South Africa, banning the import of items from canned lion hunts, saying South Africa was unable to demonstrate the conservation value of canned lion hunting.

According the the director of the US Fish and Wildlife Services, Dan Ashe, lion trophies may only be imported from exporting nations like South Africa if they can provide evidence of the hunts benefiting the long-term survival of the species in the wild.

“Following our research into the issue we have taken an in principle decision not to finance any activity constituting captive breeding of mammalian predator species for hunting or the exotic pet trade. This decision will form part of the total policy and book review in 2016 to better manage the biodiversity impact of our lending decisions,” Nedbank states.

“Since its inception Nedbank has worked closely with the NBBN to further the mainstreaming of biodiversity into South African business. The NBBN-EWT is proud to be associated with Nedbank in light of their many green initiatives, especially their recent commitment to better manage the biodiversity impact of their lending decisions.

This latest decision demonstrates the potential that lies within corporate to positively influence the management of South African biodiversity,” it says.

 

While the practice of so-called “canned hunting” can still go ahead, trophies from these kills can no longer be imported into the USA.

The US Fish and Wildlife Services have put a ban on imports of captive bred lion trophy heads, skins, claws, teeth, and other lion parts from those kills.

Anyone who wants to important a trophy will have to provide “evidence of the hunts benefiting the long-term survival of the species in the wild”.

The move to have these trophies banned started earlier this year when lions were declared as a protected species.

The ban does not include trophies taken from wild or wild-managed populations if they have been authorized by the South African government

“We cannot and will not allow trophies into the United States from any nation whose lion conservation programme fails to meet key criteria for transparency, scientific management and effectiveness,”  director of the US Fish and Wildlife Services, Dan Ashe, said.

According to reports, around 8000 lions are bred for the purpose of being hunted on game ranches in South Africa.

“This is huge,” Ian Michler, a conservationist and the narrator of Blood Lions, a documentary released last year that exposed the canned lion industry, told Nat Geo.

“If we can start seriously clamping down on the demand side, then it will impact things here in south Africa.”