The environmental department encouraged breeding facility owners to voluntarily leave the industry.
South Africa has over 8 000 lions living in captivity, the largest captive lion population in the world.
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South Africa's phase-out of breeding captive big game and ban on the use of lions for commercial gain have left some big-cat breeders worried about their business prospects.
A ministerial task team appointed by former minister of environment, Barbara Creecy, recommended in December 2022 closure of the breeding sector, but did not provide financial incentives for lion owners once the ban took effect. The government implemented the recommendations in April, with no deadline for breeding to cease.
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