Activists push for tougher laws to punish those involved in wildlife trade

For many years African countries have been the go-to tourist destinations to experience safaris with the key target being spotting the African lion in the wild.

Poaching and trade in wildlife now threaten Africa's tourism sector.

Activists want an end to the captive lion breeding industry where lions are bred and raised in captivity for commercial purposes.

Speaking during Wild Lion Day via Zoom, activists said the captive lion industry threatens the survival of lions and has a negative impact on tourism, public health and safety.

Edith Kabesiime, wildlife campaigns manager at World Animal Protection said that it is encouraging to see some African countries like South Africa making commitments to shift away from the practice of breeding and keeping lions in captivity, using captive lions or their derivatives commercially.

"World Animal Protection commends South Africa for this important step forward and hopes that this declaration will be fully implemented and other African states who are considering legalising commercial lion breeding can halt the process," she said.

She said there is need for states to take bold steps through enacting and operationalising laws that heavily punish those involved in wildlife trade adding that wild animals can no longer be reduced to commodities simply to be cruelly exploited by humans, without any regard for their lives or welfare.

"Countries need to enact animal welfare and environmental policies that protect individual wild animals and allow them the right to a life in the wild. Wild animals are sentient beings, and their intrinsic value should be recognised as an essential component in ensuring the survival of species as well as the protection of the environment," she said.

Habitat loss and fragmentation, wildlife trade, bush meat poaching and human-lion conflict continue to threaten lions across Africa.