Lions in Laos | Carte Blanche | M-Net

Carte Blanche

29 Jan 202412:15

Summary

TLDRThe video report delves into the dark side of wildlife trade, highlighting Laos's transition from tiger to lion bone trade due to increased demand in traditional medicine and luxury items. It sheds light on South Africa's controversial lion farming practices, bred for trophy hunting and bone harvesting, threatening the conservation reputation. The documentary uncovers an illicit scheme to export South African lions to a supposed zoo in Laos, which turns out to be a facade for breeding lions for their bones, raising ethical and legal concerns. The investigation reveals the involvement of various stakeholders, exposing the grim reality behind the captive lion industry and its global ramifications.

Takeaways

😢 South Africa's captive lion industry fuels illegal wildlife trade to Asia
😱 Lion bones are sold as tiger bones to meet demand for traditional Asian medicine
🚫 In 2019, South Africa banned lion bone trade but the industry found loopholes
🤨 10 live lions were exported from SA to Laos in 2022 under questionable circumstances
😠 Lionesses were shipped pregnant, against regulations, and some cubs died
😡 The Laos facility looks like an illegal lion farm, not a zoo as permits stated
😤 SA conservationists are concerned about the country's reputation due to shady lion trade
😒 Officials won't explain why pregnant lions were cleared for export or facility was called a 'zoo'
😳 Named exporter has prior conviction for illegal wildlife trafficking
😔 SA's lions continue to suffer from industry greed and regulatory failures

Q & A

What is the situation with tiger bone wine in Southeast Asia?
-Tiger bone wine is a status symbol drink in high demand in Southeast Asia. Tiger bones are mixed with wine to create an after-dinner drink served in some restaurants. This demand has fueled tiger poaching and captive tiger breeding facilities to supply bones.
How are South African lions involved in the tiger bone trade?
-With the dwindling supply of tiger bones, lion bones from South Africa are being sold as tiger bones in Southeast Asia. South Africa legally exports lion bones from captive bred lions, which are easy to pass off as tiger bones.
What did the undercover investigation in Laos find regarding the exported lions?
-The investigation found the South African lions in Laos in facilities that looked identical to tiger farms used for bone harvesting. Some lionesses had given birth and the investigators were told the facility planned to breed lions for bone trade.
Why is the lion bone trade concerning for South Africa's reputation?
-South Africa promotes itself as an ethical wildlife tourism destination. Revelations that captive-bred lions are ending up in the bone trade harms this reputation with tourists who expect higher animal welfare standards.
How did the lions get export permits from South Africa to Laos?
-The lions were sold by lion farmer Robbie Brink to exporter Edward Kutzer of African Pride. Permits were secured claiming the lions were going to a zoo in Laos, but evidence suggests it was a cover for a bone farm.
What legal actions has South Africa taken regarding the lion bone trade?
-In 2019, South Africa's Constitutional Court banned lion trading. In 2021, the Environment Minister announced plans to shut down the entire captive lion industry over welfare concerns.
Why were pregnant lionesses allowed to be exported?
-It is unclear why heavily pregnant lionesses were permitted to endure the stress of international transit by South African authorities. This violated standard animal transport regulations.
What happened after the lionesses gave birth in Laos?
-Some lionesses lost their cubs due to the trauma of transit. Mothers were then separated from their surviving cubs, likely to begin the process of harvesting bones.
Who facilitated the questionable lion export permits?
-Marine Goldblatt, former head of the South African Predator Association, helped secure the permits. She claimed to not know the final destination despite evidence it was a bone farm.
What can be done to improve oversight of the lion bone trade?
-Stronger laws are needed governing lion exports and breeding. Authorities must properly vet destinations and not take exporter’s word. More transparency and accountability is required.