Currently, anywhere between 8,000 and 10,000 predators, possibly more, are being held in small enclosures on 300+ captive predator facilities across South Africa. Despite claims made by the commercial captive predator breeding industry, it is commonly accepted by leading wildlife and conservation scientists globally that this industry does not support conservation of lions in the wild.

Most South African predator facilities are commercial operations breeding and exploiting wildlife for a range of activities from canned hunting and the bone trade to the extremely lucrative cub petting, ‘walking with lions’ and voluntourism activities. There is growing scientific evidence to suggest that the captive lion breeding industry in South Africa poses a real and serious health risk to thousands of tourists, industry workers and communities from Zoonotic diseases.

About the Campaign
When the award-winning Blood Lions® feature documentary premiered in 2015, the Blood Lions Campaign was also launched to create global awareness around the captive predator breeding, canned hunting and lion bone industries, as well as the various spin-off activities such as cub petting, walking with lions and voluntourism. The ultimate campaign goal is to bring an end to the commercial captive breeding and keeping of lions and other predators in South Africa.

We encourage YOU, viewers of the Blood Lions® film, visitors to Africa and followers on social media to make responsible choices about visiting or supporting captive wildlife facilities and activities. Through awareness and by reducing demand for tourism products offering interaction with captive wildlife, the campaign aims to bring an end to the exploitation of captive-bred wild animals.

The Blood Lions campaign is anchored not only by the Blood Lions® film, but also through a strong and active digital media platform, scientific research, lobbying and policy reform, as well as various specific campaigns, some in collaboration with key international partners.

Blood Lions ThinkBeforeYouGo
One of our latest campaigns, the #ThinkBeforeYouGo campaign, took us back to basics and focused on the exploitation of captive wildlife and promoting the #KeepItWild concept. Through the campaign, we unravelled the SATSA Guidelines and Decision-Making Tool, which are highly relevant and useful tools to help you make more objective and ethical choices when visiting captive wildlife facilities.