Captive lions outnumber South Africa's wild population by more than three to one
Estimated lion count, South Africa; captive figure is an approximate range of 8,000–12,000 (midpoint shown)
3.5×
captive lions for every wild lion in South Africa
9/9
provinces that unanimously approved the new captive-facility ban — still unsigned
South Africa's captive lion industry holds an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 animals — more than three times the country's entire wild population. But with a unanimously approved ban on new facilities still awaiting a ministerial signature, and no bone-export quota issued since a 2019 court ruling, the industry's fate rests on a single act of political will.
Daily Maverick · Source: South African Predator Association; DFFE; Daily Maverick reporting
