Lion Bone Trade and Big Cat Welfare

The legal and illegal lion bone trade, primarily supplying markets in Asia as a substitute for tiger bone, contributes to welfare problems for captive lions in South Africa and threatens wild lion populations.

Key Facts

South Africa legally permits the export of lion bones from captive-bred lions
An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 lions are held in captive breeding facilities in South Africa, known as canned hunting farms
Lion bones are exported primarily to Vietnam and Laos where they are used in traditional medicine
The trade incentivises the captive breeding of lions under poor welfare conditions
Wild lion populations have declined by approximately 43% over the past 21 years

Welfare Considerations

Captive lion breeding farms in South Africa routinely keep lions in severely inadequate conditions — small enclosures, limited social housing, stress from human interaction in tourist petting activities, and ultimately inhumane killing. Cubs are removed from mothers shortly after birth for tourist interaction programmes, causing distress to both mothers and offspring. Many facilities are welfare disasters by any objective assessment. The welfare of individual lions in these systems is a serious ongoing crisis, separate from but connected to the broader conservation and trade issues.

What You Can Do

Refuse to participate in cub petting, lion walks or canned hunting activities when travelling to southern Africa
Support Blood Lions campaign at www.bloodlions.org
Advocate for a total ban on captive lion breeding and bone exports
Support organisations working to end the canned hunting industry
Report welfare violations at captive lion facilities to animal welfare authorities