Captive Breeding of Animals: A Wildlife Cash Crop

Canned hunting – the practice of hunting (lion mostly) in an enclosure too small to allow an animal any chance of escape - came into the public eye almost 10 years ago when an appalled world witnessed the cruelty of the practice firsthand in a shocking television expose. The Cooke report documented the hunting of drugged or sedated animals as well as the hunting of human-habituated animals placed in horrendous conditions all in the name of 'sport.'

The South African hunting industry has never lived down the findings of the Cooke Report – and neither has the South African Government, keen to protect its reputation as a premiere wildlife tourism destination and a country that upholds best practices in conservation management.

Unfortunately the Cooke Report and the protests of millions of animal lovers worldwide – and even the protests of so-called “ethical” hunters – did not spur much immediate action in stopping or at least reigning in the captive breeders and their cohorts who provide canned hunting experiences for well heeled shooters.

Far from it. There has been little action since 1997 until last month when the SA Government took delivery of a report by a Panel of Experts on Professional and Recreational Hunting which is intended to inform the way the hunting industry in South Africa will be regulated in the future.  These regulations will be decided in early in 2006.

Poorly Regulated and Unethical

The report admits that hunting in South Africa is poorly regulated due to different policies set by different provinces as well as differing capacities to enforce them. It describes various unethical practices such as intensive breeding of large predators, genetic manipulation and canned hunting.

The multi-million dollar “captive breeding” and “canned hunting” industry might finally be under some real scrutiny - yet how far any possible reforms are likely to go is unknown.

IFAW recently commissioned an investigation to ascertain the extent of the captive breeding industry and its links with canned hunting and the trade in wild animals. A legislative review has also provides insights into gaps in the regulatory framework.

Our findings show a clandestine industry that prefers to keep a low profile while turning multi-million dollar profits. IFAW’s investigation provides an independent corroboration of an industry out of control and with no regard for the fundamentals of animal welfare.

It’s time for change.