South Africa’s Big Cat Industry: A Global Trade Of Extreme Cruelty & Exploitation

South Africa is the world’s leading exporter of big cats and their body parts, with over 3,500 live animals and 34,000 body parts exported in the last 20 years, according to data from the CITES trade database. Despite these alarming figures, the full scale of the illegal trade remains hidden.

A new report by global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS reveals the extent of the big cat industry in South Africa, which has flourished due to fragmented and ineffective regulations. FOUR PAWS is now calling for a complete closure of the big cat industry by 2030.

Between 2018 and 2024, there have been 30 recorded incidents of illegal trade and trafficking of big cats—such as lions, tigers, and leopards—and their parts, either within South Africa or allegedly originating from the country. One such case in 2024 involved the arrest of a South African man and a well-known Vietnamese trafficker attempting to illegally sell six lions. However, the true number of big cats and body parts exported each year remains unknown due to inadequate tracking and oversight.

The exploitation of non-native species, particularly tigers, is a significant issue in South Africa. These animals are at greater risk of abuse due to ineffective regulations surrounding their breeding, trade, and movement. South Africa now hosts the largest number of tiger farms outside of Asia, making it an attractive destination for unscrupulous traders and criminals looking to exploit these animals.

Between 2020 and 2024, research by FOUR PAWS found that 103 facilities in South Africa had kept tigers at some point. As tiger populations in countries like Vietnam have dwindled, South Africa has become a leading supplier for tiger parts, which are in demand for “traditional medicine” and luxury products across Asia. This trade perpetuates the exploitation of these endangered species, many of which are subjected to poor living conditions, inbreeding, and premature death.

“The crimes of the big cat industry go mostly unnoticed because South Africa lacks countrywide regulations to control and monitor breeding facilities. Many authorities do not even keep a registry of births and deaths of tigers in captivity, making it impossible to track exact numbers of this non-native species,” said Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa. “This plays into the hands of criminal networks, who take advantage of legal loopholes and get the opportunity to collaborate with commercial facilities, private breeders, and traders. It’s time for South Africa to cease its role in enabling this cruel industry,”

The industrial-scale breeding of big cats in South Africa has far-reaching consequences on worldwide conservation efforts. Due to the strong legal protection status of tigers, other big cat species – such as leopards, lions and jaguars – are being used as substitutes to meet the demand.

“The farming of big cats in South Africa triggers a dangerous chain reaction, speeding up the extinction of endangered species across the globe. Facilities claiming that big cat breeding supports the conservation of wild populations is misleading and undermines the real horrors of the industry,” said Kieran Harkin, Wildlife Trade Expert at FOUR PAWS. “Captive animals are exploited as tourist attractions and killed for profit, and wild populations continue to be targeted by poachers.”

“Both captive and wild big cats pay the price for this profit-oriented industry. All five big cat species – jaguars, leopards, lions, snow leopards and tigers – will see even more significant declines in their wild populations if this exploitative trend continues. It is high time to act now,” continued Harkin.

The findings in the FOUR PAWS report underscore the urgent need for stronger regulations and enforcement to protect big cats in South Africa. The country’s failure to regulate the industry has allowed the trafficking and exploitation of these majestic animals to thrive. FOUR PAWS advocates for the complete closure of the big cat industry by 2030, calling on both the South African government and international authorities to take immediate action to end this cruel trade.

The illegal trade of big cats is not only a threat to animal welfare but also a significant risk to global biodiversity. As South Africa continues to serve as a major player in this global trade, the need for change has never been more pressing.