The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has been granted leave to intervene in the Gauteng High Court case brought against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment by the South African Predator Association (SAPA) for the Minister’s alleged failure to establish commercial export quotas for lion bones and derived products.
SAPA’s application seeks to review and set aside the Minister’s decision not to establish annual export quotas for lion bones and related products. SAPA further seeks to compel the Minister to determine such quotas going forward, citing, among other factors, the existence of a stockpile of lion bone derivatives.
The Court found that the NSPCA, alongside the EMS Foundation, has a recognised mandate in animal welfare and a demonstrable legal interest in the outcome of the case. The NSPCA’s prior litigation, which resulted in the setting aside of previous lion bone quotas, was recognised as contributing to the current regulatory context.
The NSPCA will now be entitled to place evidence before the Court and oppose any relief that may undermine animal welfare considerations in quota-setting decisions.
This case forms part of a broader debate on the commercial trade in wildlife derivatives. In 2019, the High Court confirmed that animal welfare must be considered in decisions relating to lion bone export quotas. More recently, in 2025, the Minister announced the prohibition of new captive lion breeding facilities, signalling a shift toward phasing out the industry.
The NSPCA has long voiced its concern about the severe welfare issues encountered at many captive lion facilities, including malnutrition, congenital deformities, accelerated breeding cycles, unhygienic enclosures, and inadequate food and water provision, suggesting a complete disregard for welfare standards.
The NSPCA will continue to act in terms of its statutory mandate under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 to ensure that animal welfare remains a central consideration in decisions affecting captive wildlife.
The NSPCA extends its deepest gratitude to its legal team, Advocate Les Morison SC, Advocate Sam Martin, and the team from Webber Wentzel for persevering in this case.
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