Question NW2803 to the Minister of Tourism
24 August 2015 - NW2803
Esterhuizen, Mr JA to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether, given the massive outcry and local and/or international indignation at the country’s continued support of the practice of canned lion hunting, the devastating effect of this practice on the country’s image as a sanctuary for the Big 5 of African wildlife and possible deleterious effects the specified practice can have on the country’s tourism, he intends to engage his counterparts in the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs on passing legislation to ban this barbaric practice; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South Africa does not support canned lion hunting. The prohibition is provided for through the National Environmental Management Act (Act No 10 of 2014), which is implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs. We believe that responsible citizenship would also assist in preventing such occurrences. All known cases of canned lion hunting should therefore be reported to the law enforcement agencies. Discussions with the Ministers of Environmental Affairs and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have not taken place.