The number of captive lions in Thailand has more than tripled in just six years, prompting urgent calls from global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS for decisive international action to end the commercial exploitation of big cats.
Alarming figures show that nearly half of the lion cubs born annually in Thailand are white lions — a result of exploiting a rare, recessive genetic mutation that is virtually nonexistent in the wild. This unnatural breeding for aesthetic appeal comes at a high cost to the animals, who are often inbred and suffer from severe, lifelong health conditions. These lions will never experience life in the wild.
A peer-reviewed study published this month in Discover Conservation reveals that Thailand’s captive lion population has increased from just over 131 lions in 2018 to more than 444 in 2024 — despite lions being listed as a protected non-native species under Thai law since 2022.
“This is not a conservation success story — it’s a brutal warning sign,” said Vanessa Amoroso from FOUR PAWS. “This rise is driven by commercial breeding for entertainment, the exotic pet trade, and social media validation — all at the expense of the lions’ welfare, safety, and dignity.”
Key findings from the study:
• Over 90% of Thailand’s captive lions are held in private zoos and breeding farms, with some facilities housing over 50 lions each.
• The number of lions increased from just over 131 in 2018 to more than 444 in 2024.
• Breeding facilities jumped from 31 to 82 over the same period.
• Hybrid lions, including white lions bred for visual appeal, rose from 1 to 32 — despite their well-documented health issues.
• An average of 101 cubs are born annually; nearly half are white lions sold for up to $7,500 each — fueling a cub-sale industry worth close to $1 million per year.
• Lions are frequently moved across borders for unclear purposes, raising serious concerns about illegal wildlife trade.
A Global Crisis Demands a Global Solution
“Intentional hybridization, poor living conditions, and lions reduced to photo props for tourists and influencers — these are the dark realities hidden behind social media,” adds Amoroso. “The same patterns we’ve fought against in South Africa’s captive lion industry are now repeating elsewhere. This is a global crisis that requires global resolve.”
FOUR PAWS continues to campaign against the commercial trade, breeding, and keeping of big cats and their parts worldwide. South Africa’s 2021 decision to phase out captive lion breeding marked a crucial milestone — but with the trade shifting across borders, sustained international pressure and cooperation are essential.
FOUR PAWS is calling on Thailand to implement and enforce stronger legislation that bans the commercial breeding and exploitation of lions, and on all governments to work together to dismantle the global commercial trade in big cats.
“Without action, we are complicit in a system that commodifies cruelty,” Amoroso warns. “South Africa is still grappling with the painful process of shutting down an out-of-control captive lion industry — one that left behind thousands of lions and decades of damage. We must not allow Thailand to face the same fate. The time to act is now.”
White Lions: A Cruel Trend Disguised as Rarity
The rising number of white lion cubs being bred reflects a disturbing trend driven by profit and aesthetic preference. The white coat is not a marker of a separate subspecies but a rare genetic mutation, made more common through inbreeding in captivity.
These animals often suffer from serious health issues — including kidney disease — as a result of their breeding. What is seen as “special” by human standards brings only a lifetime of suffering for the lions.
FOUR PAWS urges the public to #TravelKind and governments to #BreakTheViciousCycle. Together, we can end big cat exploitation.
