🚩🚩Red Flags! 🚩🚩
When evaluating ethical lion volunteer projects, it’s important to look out for red flags that might indicate unethical practices or poor animal welfare standards-and stay away!
Here are four key red flags to be aware of:
1. Cub Petting and Interactions: Sanctuaries that breed lions and allow visitors and volunteers to pet or handle lion cubs often prioritize profit over the well-being of the animals. This practice can harm cubs and contribute to the cycle of wildlife exploitation.
2. Breeding Programs: Be cautious of projects that actively breed lions. Ethical lion volunteer projects do not breed lions in captivity, as breeding often supports the pet trade, tourism industries, or even worse—the trophy hunting industry or the Asian market for lion bones used to make wine.
South Africa is currently seeking an exit plan for lion breeding farms due to the lack of conservation value in captive breeding. Inbreeding often results in tainted DNA, making these lions unsuitable for release into the wild. Simply put, there are too many lions in captivity and not enough in the wild. We do not need more lions bred in canned farming situations.
3. Commercial Focus: Facilities that emphasize entertainment, such as lion walks, photo opportunities, or performances, often compromise animal welfare for profit. The primary focus of a sanctuary should be on the well-being of the lions.
4. Trading or Selling of Lions: Any lion volunteer project trading or selling lions is definitely not an ethical sanctuary and should be avoided at all costs. Often lions are sold off for trophy hunting or the Asian lion bone wine industry.Â
By being aware of these red flags, you can better assess the legitimacy and ethics of ethical lion volunteer projects, ensuring your support goes to facilities that truly prioritize the well-being and conservation of lions.
Read up more here on the approved Policy Position by the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment in this Daily Maverick article.
We have three highly ethical lion volunteer projects working with lions in safe sanctuary. Big Cat Sanctuary on a Wildlife reserve, Ethical Predator Sanctuary and Lion sanctuary in Limpopo all have a no breeding, no petting and no trading policy. If you would like to enquire about these wonderful big cat volunteer projects, email info@volunteerinternationaladventures.com
