According to a statement by Minister Barbara Creecy, the Cabinet approved the release of the report and its recommendations for further implementation.

The Ministerial Task Team (MTT) to establish guidelines on the issue was appointed in December 2022, following a recommendation by the High Level Panel on Matters Relating to the Management, Breeding, Hunting, Trade and Management of Elephants, Lions, Leopards and Rhinoceroses.

The panel recommended the closure of the captive breeding sector, including the keeping of lions in captivity, or the commercial use of captive lions or their derivatives.

The main areas addressed in the document are the undertaking of a collaborative process with key stakeholders in the captive lion industry, relevant issuing authorities, and the inclusion of vulnerable workers.

Also, among other actions, conduct an audit of existing captive facilities to confirm the number of lions, their age and sex, the stockpiles of parts and derivatives of those animals, and possible land use options within the biodiversity economy.

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