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Average Mass: |
Track: 146mm (5 3/4") x 127mm (5") |
Description: Lions are the second largest members of the cat family in the world. Lions are tan in colour and have a slightly white under-body, with a tuft of black hair at the end of their tails. Most cat species live a fundamentally solitary existence, but the lion is an exception. It has developed a social system based on teamwork and a division of labour within the pride, and an extended but closed family unit centres around a group of related females. The average pride consists of about 15 individuals, including five to 10 females with their young and two or three territorial males that are usually brothers or pride mates. Subspecies: The extinct Barbary and Cape lions were once treated as subspecies(P.l.leo and P.l. melanochaita). All lions are currently considered monotypic. Distribution: According to Nowell & Jackson (1996) the lion, formerly occurring from northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) to southern Africa and through south-western Asia, is now widespread only in Botswana, C.A.R., Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, former Zaire and Zambia. Its status in Angola, Mozambique, Sudan and Somalia must be clarified (Nowell & Jackson, 1996), while it is thought to be more or less sparsely distributed in Benin, Burkina Faso, northern Cameroon, southern Chad, southern Congo, northern Ivory Coast, northern Ghana, northern Guinea, eastern Guinea Bissau, southern Mali, northern Nigeria and Uganda. On the contrary in Burundi, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa populations are believed to be confined to protected areas. It is virtually extinct in Djibouti, Gabon, Lesotho, Mauritania, Swaziland and Togo. Diet: Lions prey mainly on large animals such as Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Gemsbok and even Giraffe. Smaller prey like Impala, Steenbok and even Porcupine are taken when the opportunity arises. The task of hunting is often left to the lionesses of the pride, which hunt as a team. Breeding: Lions are non-seasonal breeders, yet females of a pride often synchronize births. After a gestation period of 110 days, one to four cubs are born. Cubs start taking meat after ten weeks. Females suckle their own and one another's cubs for up to six months. After birth, cubs are hidden for six weeks after which mothers bring them to the pride’s crèche. The young remain dependant on the organisational success of the pride for up to three years. Behaviour: Prides consist of two to 12 related females and their young, and dominant males. Such males may form coalitions of two to six, and collectively hold tenure over prides. The roar of the Lion is an impressive sound and is perhaps the sound most associated with the African wild. Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model Found in a wide variety of environments, the species appears to be absent only from rain forest and the interior of the Sahara desert. Optimal habitat types are represented by woodlands and thick bush, scrub and grass complexes; also found in montane moorland (Nowell & Jackson, 1996; Yalden et al., 1980).
South African Regulations: DRAFT NORMS, STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF LARGE PREDATORS Introduction The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism intends in terms of section 9(1) of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), to issue the norms and standards for the sustainable utilisation of large predators and in terms of section 97(1) of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) to issue regulations relating to the keeping and hunting of Acinonyx jubatus, Hyaena brunnea, Crocuta crocuta, Lycaon pictus, Panthera Leo and Panthera pardus, set out in the Schedules hereto. These norms and standards are the minimum and do not prevent provincial policies from being more restrictive. These norms, standards and regulations will be effective from 1 July 2005 The following species of large predators, indigenous to South Africa, are covered by these norms and standards and regulations:
Compliance with the norms, standards and regulations will be enforced through the mechanisms available in terms of National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA). The species above will be listed as threatened or protected species in terms of section 56(1) of NEMBA. In terms of section 57(1) of NEMBA no person may carry out a restricted activity involving a specimen of a listed threatened or protected species without a permit issued in terms of Chapter 7 of NEMBA. Monitoring of compliance and enforcement of these norms and standards and regulations will be undertaken by means of law enforcement actions by Environmental Management Inspectors appointed in terms of the National Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2003 (Act No. 46 of 2003). Specific steps to monitor compliance and enforcement of these norms and standards will be issued by the Minister in terms of section 97(1)(a) of NEMBA. Captive breeding operations involving large predators will have to be registered in terms of section 59(f) of NEMBA. Further regulations dealing with the listing of other species as “Listed threatened or protected species” in terms of section 56(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No 10 of 2004) will be effected by means of the publication of a comprehensive list of species following an appropriate consultation process. Aims of the draft norms, standards and draft regulations are:
DRAFT NATIONAL NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF LARGE PREDATORS ISSUED IN TERMS OF SECTION 9(1) OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT (ACT NO 10 OF 2004) SCHEDULE
1. DEFINITIONS
Large predator: A large predator means a specimen of the following species:
Wild: A large predator is considered to be wild if:
Managed wild populations: A large predator population is considered to be a managed wild population if:
Captive: A large predator is considered captive if any of the criteria of the definitions for wild or managed wild populations are absent. Captive-bred: A large predator bred under controlled unnatural conditions is considered to be captive-bred. Canned hunting: Canned hunting is considered to be any form of hunting where:
Large predators kept captive for species conservation and commercial purposes are subject to the following conditions.
DRAFT REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE KEEPING AND HUNTING OF ACINONYX JUBATUS, HYAENA BRUNNEA, CROCUTA CROCUTA, LYCAON PICTUS, Panthera leo AND Panthera PARDUS, IN TERMS OF SECTION 97(1) OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004 (ACT NO 10 OF 2004) The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has under section 97(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004), made the regulations set out in the Schedule. SCHEDULE NTERPRETATION In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise indicates, every word takes the meaning as defined in the Act, and – canned hunting” means any form of hunting where:
“captive” means a large predator lacking any of the criteria of the definitions for wild or managed wild populations; “captive breeding operation” means an operation where large predators are bred under controlled unnatural conditions; “large predator” means a specimen of the following species:
“managed wild population” means a large predator population that:
“wild” means a large predator:
PART II LISTING OF SPECIES Establishment of threatened or protected species in terms of section 56(1) 1. (1) The following species is listed as a vulnerable species in terms of section 56(1)(c): (i) Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah) (2) The following species are listed as protected species in terms of section 56(1)(d): (i) Crocuta crocuta (spotted hyaena) (ii) Hyaena brunnea (brown hyaena) (iii) Lycaon pictus (wild dog) (iv) Panther leo (lion) (v) Panthera pardus (leopard) PART III MANAGEMENT OF LARGE PREDATORS Establishment of new holding facilities 2. The establishment of new holding facilities for keeping large predators shall be subject to the issuing of a permit, issued in terms of Chapter 7 of the Act, by the provincial conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the proposed facility is located. Conditions for permits relating to the keeping of large predators 3. (1) A provincial conservation authority referred to in regulation 2, may only issue a permit as contemplated in Chapter 7 of the Act to establish a holding or captive breeding facility for large predators, if - (i) sufficient suitable habitat is available to accommodate a viable population of the species; (ii) sufficient suitable prey animals are available to sustain the large predators through natural hunting; (iii) adequate fencing as prescribed by the provincial conservation authority referred to in regulation 2 is erected; (iv) written comments of adjacent landowners have been considered by the provincial conservation authority referred to in regulation 2 when establishing or re-establishing large predators; (v) an environmental assessment in terms of National Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2004 (Act No 8 of 2004) has been submitted; (vi) in the case where the Record of Decision following the appropriate environmental assessment indicates that the establishment of the holding or captive breeding operation will not have detrimental environmental consequences; (a) a management plan, and (b) a business plan have been submitted; (vii) the large predators concerned are not intended to be kept as pets. (2) Every large predator in a captive breeding operation shall be fitted with a micro-chip for the purpose of identification of the predator concerned. (3) The Department shall maintain a database of all large predators in captive operations. The provincial conservation authorities referred to in regulation 2 must provide the relevant information to the Department on a quarterly basis. Conditions for permits relating to hunting of large predators 4. (1) A large predator may not be hunted unless the hunter of that predator is in possession of a permit issued in terms of Chapter 7 of the Act, issued by the provincial conservation authority referred to in regulation 2. (2) The permit issued by the provincial conservation authority referred to in regulation 2, is subject to the following conditions: (i) The provincial conservation authority concerned must be informed of the date and time of hunt and may reserve the right to be present at the hunt; (ii) The hunter must be in possession of all permits, licences and relevant documentation required in terms of the provincial legislation of the province concerned and must present these upon request; (iii) The large predator to be hunted may not be human-imprinted; (iv) The area in which the hunt will take place must be fenced according to the requirements of the provincial conservation authority concerned; (v) The permit does not authorise canned hunting; (vi) Despite subparagraph (v), the conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the intended hunt takes place may in the case of the hunting of leopard, determine special conditions for that hunt but those conditions may not authorise the use of any tranquilliser or similar drug; (vii) No dogs may be used to hunt the large predator concerned, except where that predator has been wounded in the hunt and needs to be traced. (viii) No large predator may be hunted at night, except in the case of the hunting of leopard, in which case the conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the intended hunt takes place may determine special conditions for that hunt; (ix) Hunting of a large predator must take place on foot and at least 200m from the vehicle used for the hunt; except in the case of a disabled hunter for whom the conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the intended hunt takes place, may determine special conditions; (x) Only hunting methods authorised by the legislation of the province concerned is allowed; (xi) No large predator may be hunted in a pride situation; (xii) Wounded and hunted large predators must be reported to the provincial conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the action falls within 24 hours after the hunt or the wounding of that predator. (3) The provincial conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the intended hunting will take place may specify type of weapon to be used for the hunt and in the case of a fire-arm, the calibre of that fire-arm. (4) If required in terms of a provincial law, a large predator may only be hunted with a bow and arrow under the authorisation of a special permit issued in terms of Chapter 7 of the Act. IMPORT, EXPORT AND TRANSLOCATION OF LARGE PREDATORS Conditions subject to which a permit for the import, export or translocation of large predators may be issued 5. A permit for the import, export or translocation of large predators is subject to the following conditions: (i) Every imported large predator shall be fitted with a micro-chip for the purpose of identification of that predator; (ii) The submission of a certificate of health issued by a veterinary surgeon, indicating that the animal is free from diseases such as feline Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Tuberculosis (TB) or any other disease, which may threaten local populations; (iii) Every container for the translocation of large predators must comply with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for air transport and the requirements specified by the provincial conservation authority in whose area of jurisdiction the action falls. Exemption
RECOMMENDATION ON KENYA LION CITES PROPOSAL August 19, 2004 The recent 6th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium brought together more than 200 wildlife conservation and management specialist in Paris, France. The symposium theme was “Wild Fauna: A Natural Resource”. After the closure of the symposium a number of lion conservation specialist held a separate meeting and unanimously adopted the following recommendation: Taking Note that the first two continent-wide lion surveys were made in 2002, from which, since no previous such surveys had ever been made, no trend in the continental population can be deduced at this time. Aware however that lion populations are bound to be in conflict with human occupation of lion habitat by settlement or pastoralists. Encouraging wildlife managers in the African lion’s range states to monitor lion populations in the coming years, developing in the process adapted methodologies of sampling and estimating numbers in representative lion population, as well as getting a better understanding of their population dynamics under various regional conditions in order to ensure their sustainable utilisation. Aware furthermore that trophy hunting of adult lion males has been, for many years, and continues to be sustainable in most instances, based upon annual quotas which are decided and can be adapted by each range state as it sees fit and provides economic benefits to local people who live near lion populations and to wildlife conservation authorities, benefits which would be jeopardised to a great extent were the lion to be listed on Appendix I, due to excessive importing restrictions applied in such cases by states such as the USA. Informed that Kenya is proposing to the forthcoming CITES COP 12 that the African Lion (Panthera leo) be listed in Appendix I of the Convention. Considering that the entire international trade of African lions is already fully controlled, as its monitoring in Appendix II of CITES over the last 25 years has amply demonstrated, its inclusion in Appendix I of the treaty cannot be justified. Concur with the comments published by the governments of Namibia and South Africa, which conclude that the argument and supporting data of the Kenya proposal are inadequate and that the African lion does not meet the biological criteria for Appendix I listing, and therefore, recommend unanimously that Kenya’s proposal to list the African lion (Panthera leo) in Appendix I of CITES be rejected.
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