Trophy hunting of lions — and particularly canned hunting of captive-bred lions — causes significant welfare harm. The evidence base on suffering has grown substantially and informs ongoing policy debate.
Lions shot for trophies frequently experience prolonged suffering from non-fatal first shots, particularly when hunters use bow and arrow. Canned hunting lions are bred in conditions that deny natural behaviour, social structure and adequate space. The cub-petting pipeline that funds canned hunting involves systematic early maternal separation welfare harm across thousands of animals annually. South Africa announced a ban on domestic trade in lion bones in 2019, but canned hunting continues.