Earlier this month, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) Wildlife Protection Unit undertook an investigation at two captive lion facilities, owned by the same person, in All Days, in Limpopo after receiving a complaint about severely underweight lions. The NSPCA Inspectors found deplorable conditions – underweight lions, lack of adequate shelter, lack of veterinary treatment, as well as unhygienic and small enclosures.
Following the warnings issued and impending charges by the NSPCA, a facility in Limpopo offered these lions and other animals held captive at the facilities, a new home. Although this facility is not a sanctuary, the NSPCA, not being the owners of the animals, could not dictate where the lions should be relocated to. However, the conditions at this facility is a vast improvement in comparison to the dismal conditions that these sentient creatures were living in – with 24 hour access to veterinary care, security, clean water, and ample access to food and shelter, the NSPCA is more confident in the care that these lions will now receive.
The NSPCA Wildlife Protection Unit has been intrinsically involved in the translocation of the animals, from planning meetings with the relevant representatives from the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and the new facility, to monitoring the darting, handling and transport of the lions, as well as the offloading at the new facility.
The NSPCA will undertake future inspections at the facility to ensure the consistency in care promised.
We are sure that this is the beginning of a cooperative and fruitful relationship with LEDET to ensure that animal welfare and conservation remain an intertwined set of values in this province.
The NSPCA remains opposed to the keeping of wild animals in captivity.
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