The Lions Roar: A Minister’s “hospital pass” and the fight-back from wildlife farmers

The South African Government’s latest moves to shut down the commercial lion industry have sparked outrage. In this interview with BizNews, Richard York, the CEO of Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA), slams the government's handling of the issue, and expresses concern that Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dr. Dion George is being “ill-advised”. He says: “I feel sorry for Dr. George…I think he's been handed a hospital pass…” York also asks: “…is the Minister more concerned about climate change and about bringing funds over from overseas than actually addressing the challenges taking place in his own backyard.” York warns that should the lion industry be closed down, it would have a huge ripple effect. “We'll talk about disinvestment from other forms of game-ranching, where farmers will just convert to other forms of commercial agriculture because their right and their right to private property is being placed in jeopardy.” Meanwhile, WRSA is set to challenge the two Government gazettes containing a call for the “voluntary surrender” of African lion bones and the announcement of a draft notice to prohibit new captive lion breeding facilities.