Article by Don Pinnock originally in the Daily Maverick, 16 March 2022 As numbers decline and persecution continues, South Africa… Read more Challenge to leopard hunting quota proof that the DFFE should change its spots
South Africa’s War on Wild Animals
Banner image: Video screen grabs from an undercover investigation at Safari Club International‘s annual hunters‘ convention in Las Vegas. (Photo: HSI… Read more South Africa’s War on Wild Animals
Year of the Tiger?
Big cat farming in South Africa: the need for international action “South Africa is intensively breeding tigers and lions for a commercial… Read more Year of the Tiger?
2021 Review
In last year’s review, it was hoped that in 2021 we could start to return to some kind of ‘normality’… Read more 2021 Review
UK Consultation on Hunting Trophies
Banner image: Outside UK Houses of Parliament, 9 December 2021 – Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and supportive Members of Parliament… Read more UK Consultation on Hunting Trophies
30 Lions Euthanised After Burning in Free State Fires in Shocking Animal Cruelty Case
Banner Image: 30 Lions Euthanised After Burning in Free State Fires. Photos supplied Original article link, “30 Lions Euthanised After… Read more 30 Lions Euthanised After Burning in Free State Fires in Shocking Animal Cruelty Case
The Tiger Mafia
Hopefully, this chilling documentary will be on general release soon – highlighting the cruel commodification of thousands of tigers in… Read more The Tiger Mafia
Identical ‘Cecil’ Killing of Another Hwange Lion, Mopane
A lion called Mopane was shot by a bowhunter on 5 August 2021 on a hunting concession bordering the unfenced… Read more Identical ‘Cecil’ Killing of Another Hwange Lion, Mopane
South Africa’s Draft Policy Position – Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros
After last year’s High-Level Panel (HLP) submission process in South Africa, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)… Read more South Africa’s Draft Policy Position – Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros
South Africa’s High Level Panel Report
Banner Image courtesy of Mark Boulton – Elsa Trust and Elsamere The Republic of South Africa’s Cabinet approved the High Level… Read more South Africa’s High Level Panel Report
The Vicious Circle
It’s not just lions/big cats being cruelly exploited in South Africa’s captive breeding industry, but also vulnerable people: “One of… Read more The Vicious Circle
Trophy Hunting – The Heart of the Matter
Banner Image – Merelize Van Der Merwe and her Valentine’s Day present trophy hunting kill (assisted by Professional Hunter, Chrisjan… Read more Trophy Hunting – The Heart of the Matter
Breeding and trading endangered wild animals is not conservation – it threatens their survival
Banner image “Tiger for sale in Bangkok.” By Andreas Wilson-Spath*, Daily Maverick, 9 February 2021 – This article was provided by the Conservation… Read more Breeding and trading endangered wild animals is not conservation – it threatens their survival
Saving the ‘Highland Tiger’
Banner image courtesy of Saving Wildcats Saving Wildcats (building on the work of the previous body, Scottish Wildcat Action) launched a project in… Read more Saving the ‘Highland Tiger’
2020 Review
“Scotland to ban mass culling of mountain hares” (The Guardian 18 June 2020) – Image courtesy of Robert Harding Well, 2020… Read more 2020 Review
NGO Appeal for Closure of Captive Lion Breeding Industry and Associated Activities
PDF version of letter – NGO Appeal for Closure of Captive Lion Breeding Industry and Associated Activities, 2 December 2020 To:… Read more NGO Appeal for Closure of Captive Lion Breeding Industry and Associated Activities
Trophy Hunting is a Major Threat to Lions – Interpretive Bias
By Jared Kukura, Wild Things Initiative, 6 December 2020 Once again, a scientific paper is presented in a way to disparage… Read more Trophy Hunting is a Major Threat to Lions – Interpretive Bias
Captive lion breeding damages SA’s tourism reputation
By Melissa Reitz, Conservation Action Trust, 17 November 2020 Despite overwhelming worldwide opposition, including a parliamentary resolution to close down the captive lion… Read more Captive lion breeding damages SA’s tourism reputation
Safari Club International’s Plan to Colonize Africa’s Hunting Grounds
By Jared Kukura, Wild Things Initiative, 27 October 2020 – Article given in Conservation Action Trust In 1996, Safari Club… Read more Safari Club International’s Plan to Colonize Africa’s Hunting Grounds
Urgent questions about the welfare of wildlife that Parliament needs to ask
Banner image: An overcrowded camp with lion cubs of the same age. (Photo: Blood Lions) By Don Pinnock, Daily Maverick, 26 August… Read more Urgent questions about the welfare of wildlife that Parliament needs to ask
Is Trophy Hunting a Major Threat to Lions?
By Jared Kukura, Wild Things Initiative, 10 August 2020 For more than a decade, we have been told trophy hunting is… Read more Is Trophy Hunting a Major Threat to Lions?
Informing The Debate on Trophy Hunting
Note: the full updated version of this article is given on International Wildlife Bond’s main web-site. On the 30 June… Read more Informing The Debate on Trophy Hunting
Mufasa, the innocent white lion
“Mufasa fund” – fund raising to maintain legal right to keep Mufasa safe at Wild For Life sanctuary Petition –… Read more Mufasa, the innocent white lion
Cecil – 5 Year Anniversary
Banner image courtesy of Brent Stapelkamp https://iwbond.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Cecils-Roar.Credit-Craig-Thomas-1.mp4 “Cecil’s Roar” video – Courtesy of Craig Thomas On the 5th anniversary of… Read more Cecil – 5 Year Anniversary
“Unfair Game” – An exposé of South Africa’s captive-bred lion industry
Unfair Game” – An exposé of South Africa’s captive-bred lion industry UK Link – “Unfair Game” – Kindle, paperback published… Read more “Unfair Game” – An exposé of South Africa’s captive-bred lion industry
Trafficking of Ivory in Cambodia – Operation Jeopardy
An illustration of how the illegal wildlife trade adapts and shifts – the Chinese demand for ivory is still there,… Read more Trafficking of Ivory in Cambodia – Operation Jeopardy
Trophy Hunting Exposed
“Trophy Hunters Exposed – Inside the big game industry” (UK delivery link),” May 2020, Eduardo Gonçalves (Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting:… Read more Trophy Hunting Exposed
Breaking Point: Uncovering South Africa’s Shameful Live Wildlife Trade with China
Image Credit: Karl Ammann on location in China. Karl Ammann is a conservationist and wildlife photographer “Breaking Point: Uncovering South… Read more Breaking Point: Uncovering South Africa’s Shameful Live Wildlife Trade with China
Shooting Captive Animals for Sport (and Trade)
As we await the United Kingdom’s planned legislation resulting from the “Consultation on controls on the import and export of… Read more Shooting Captive Animals for Sport (and Trade)
Captive Lions in Deplorable Condition
The NSPCA (National Council – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)), reported on 13 May 2020: … Read more Captive Lions in Deplorable Condition
The Tiger Trade
Analysis of the murky trade in tiger trophies and body parts provided by Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. “The Global… Read more The Tiger Trade
Submission to South Africa’s High-Level Panel – elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros
Banner Image courtesy of Mark Boulton – “Lewa Conservancy, Kenya” – Elsa Trust and Elsamere IWB’s Submission to the HLP,… Read more Submission to South Africa’s High-Level Panel – elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros
Elephant Hunts for Sale During a Pandemic
By Ross Harvey, Conservation Action Trust, 13 April 2020 Botswana hides behind national “sovereignty” while selling off its natural heritage to… Read more Elephant Hunts for Sale During a Pandemic
Zoonotic Diseases of Mass Destruction (Part II) – Who is regulating who?
Banner image courtesy of Animals Asia In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the legal trade and illegal wildlife trafficking trade has come… Read more Zoonotic Diseases of Mass Destruction (Part II) – Who is regulating who?
Living with wild animals (Part Two): Eat them like there’s no tomorrow
Banner Image – “Late last year, 32 wild animals, including lions, giraffes, white and black rhinos, lions and cheetahs, were… Read more Living with wild animals (Part Two): Eat them like there’s no tomorrow
Open letter to World Health Organisation
6th April 2020 Dear Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus [Director General, World Health Organisation] and Dr Zhang Qi [Co-ordinator of Traditional and… Read more Open letter to World Health Organisation
Living with wild animals, Part One: Cash cows or fellow beings?
As we approach World Health Day on Tuesday, 7 April 2020 – please join the call to end wildlife markets/wildlife… Read more Living with wild animals, Part One: Cash cows or fellow beings?
Zoonotic Diseases of Mass Destruction
Banner image courtesy of artist Olaf Hajek and The New York Times Sunday Review The ‘true’ cost of wildlife abuse… Read more Zoonotic Diseases of Mass Destruction
Botswana government won’t let the truth get in the way of its trophy hunting narrative
By Ross Harvey, Conservation Action Trust, 5 March 2020 Symptomatic of the Botswana government’s shaky relationship with reality is its letter… Read more Botswana government won’t let the truth get in the way of its trophy hunting narrative
China’s ban on wildlife consumption is an overdue death knell for lion bone industry
by Don Pinnock, The Daily Maverick, 24 February 2020 The Chinese government has placed an immediate ban on the illegal trading… Read more China’s ban on wildlife consumption is an overdue death knell for lion bone industry
Botswana auctions off the last of its big tusker elephants
By Ross Harvey, Conservation Action Trust, 14 February 2020 “Why not allow any willing bidder (such as the EMS Foundation) to… Read more Botswana auctions off the last of its big tusker elephants
Inside The Global Conservation Organization Infiltrated By Trophy Hunters
In depth investigation by Roberto Jurkschat, “Inside The Global Conservation Organization Infiltrated By Trophy Hunters,” BuzzFeed, 13 February 2020 (see original… Read more Inside The Global Conservation Organization Infiltrated By Trophy Hunters
Lawsuit prompts shutdown of trophy hunters’ panel in Trump administration
In 2019, after IWCC members pressed for the lifting of prohibitions on imports of elephant and lion trophies from Tanzania,… Read more Lawsuit prompts shutdown of trophy hunters’ panel in Trump administration
Live Wild Animal Markets, Human and Animal Health, and Biodiversity Protection
Joint open letter (prepared by Mark Jones, Head of Policy, Born Free Foundation) to: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General,… Read more Live Wild Animal Markets, Human and Animal Health, and Biodiversity Protection
Government ignored its own science task team by redefining 32 wild species as farm animals
Banner Image: Courtesy of EPA/IFAW – “Two lionesses rub against a cage fence at a captive breeding centre for large… Read more Government ignored its own science task team by redefining 32 wild species as farm animals
Evidence of a further emerging threat to lion conservation; targeted poaching for body parts
Banner image courtesy of Greater Limpopo Carnivore Programme A recent Africa Geographic article, “Lion poaching: Escalating demand for claws and teeth,”… Read more Evidence of a further emerging threat to lion conservation; targeted poaching for body parts
2019 Review
Banner Image – iStock (Roger Trentham) …. and a Happy New Year As we end 2019 and head towards… Read more 2019 Review
“Echoes of Cecil” in ‘unethical’ Botswana elephant hunt
Banner Image – Outrage over ‘unethical’ Botswana elephant hunt, Don Pinnock, Daily Maverick, 11 December 2019 Botswana has recently (2018) reinstated… Read more “Echoes of Cecil” in ‘unethical’ Botswana elephant hunt
The Free Elephant Network Calls For The End To The Live Elephant Trade Between Zimbabwe and China
Banner Image: Wild-caught young elephants are held captive in a fenced boma by Zimbabwe authorities awaiting shipment to China in October… Read more The Free Elephant Network Calls For The End To The Live Elephant Trade Between Zimbabwe and China
Consultation on controls on the import and export of hunting trophies
IWB’s submission: Update: IWB’s submission: IWB – Consultation Response and Call for Evidence, Updated 12 December 2019 The United Kingdom Department… Read more Consultation on controls on the import and export of hunting trophies
International Wildlife Bond 