POLICY DOCUMENT: SAPA Norms and standards for hunting managed ranch lions in South Africa [Approved at the SAPA AGM on 11 November 2011 Under Revision January 2016] 1. Objectives of this document Considering the provisions relating to the hunting of managed ranch lions, as contained in the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations that have been promulgated under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), recognizing the differences in provincial legislative requirements, and considering the deficiencies and limitations of these requirements, the South African Predator Association wishes to proclaim its own standards and requirements for this all important sector of the large predator industry. The aim of these standards and requirements is three fold: to create uniformity amidst large differences between provincial standards, requirements and legislation; to define the ground rules for the hunting of managed ranch lions; and to create a basis for alignment with the professional hunting industry. The requirements set out hereunder will, subject to approval at the SAPA Annual General Meeting, be binding on all members of the Association. Failure to comply with these norms and standards will lead to disciplinary action and possible expulsion of the offender. 2. Major concerns Seen from a national and international perspective, there are five key areas of concern relating to the South African managed ranch lion hunting industry that this document will aim to address: The size of the hunting area; The release period prior to the hunt; The limitation of human imprinting on lions that will be hunted; The hunting methods; and The misrepresentation of facts to hunting clients (hunters). The norms and standards set out below are aimed at addressing the above concerns in such a way that the hunting of managed ranch lions is brought in line with best practices in the national and international trophy hunting industry. 3. Norms and standards for hunting South African Ranch Lions (i.e. managed ranch lions) The basic norm for hunting managed ranch lions is that only lions that were raised and kept under conditions deliberately aimed at preventing human imprinting may be hunted. For hunting purposes, human imprinting on lions needs to be kept to an absolute minimum. This means that lions destined for hunting should be kept as unhabituated as possible and should be raised and kept in a way that prevents human imprinting. Complementary to this basic norm, the preparation, as well as the conduct during the hunt is to be in line with internationally accepted standards. 1
Std no Purpose Legislative requirement SAPA standard Measurable indicators A A1 Facilities Facilities for keeping and breeding lions for consumptive use. 1. Registration of a captive breeding facility is compulsory in terms of TOPS regulations and 2. Requirements in terms of the Animals protection Act need to be adhered to. 3. Technical specifications for breeding and keeping facilities differ from province to province and can be found in each province s ordinances, regulations and notices. 4. Specifications are subjected to continuous review and it is best practice for all permit holders to maintain contact with the relevant regulatory authority. 1. Facilities for animals destined for hunting are to be designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant provinces technical specifications. 2. The following standards with regard to keeping facilities must be adhered to: Minimum size of: 400m 2 per animal Maximum of 10 animals per unit. Positioning for minimum human imprinting. 1. SAPA accreditation, valid for 3 Years, revised annually. 2. SAPA classification of facility as: Breeding Consumptive Hunting & derivatives; or Breeding Consumptive Derivatives only. A2 Facilities for Hunting Legislative requirements differ from province to province. Size of hunting area as per legislative requirements. 1. Hunting area: Natural veld area. No cultivated land Diversity of habitat Sufficient non-domesticated prey available. Water provisioned area. 2. Position of hunting area At least 1 km away from breeding/keeping facilities. Minimal unnatural structures. SAPA accreditation, valid for 3 Years, but revised annually. 2
B Breeding and keeping for hunting B1 Breeding for hunting TOPS and Provincial Permits are compulsory. Legislative requirements differ from province to province. 1. No breeding animals to be sourced from wild populations. 2. Only genetically sound and healthy animals to be used for breeding. 3. Genetic identification and recording of breeding lions is compulsory. An effective administrative system, reflecting the origin and identification of each animal B2 Keeping for hunting including animals purchased from other breeders and kept for selling to outfitters for hunting NEMBA and provincial permits are compulsory. 1. Minimum interaction with the human environment from birth 2. No hand rearing 3. General hands off management techniques with regard to feeding, husbandry, medical care and environmental enrichment 4. Identification of animals bred and raised for hunting purposes is compulsory 5. No trade in human imprinted animals. C C1 Husbandry of lions for hunting Safety Legislative requirements differ from province to province. Safety plan as part of Management Plan to be approved by provincial authority 1. Construction of facilities and management systems are to comply with the relevant provincial legislation 2. Safety plan addressing fire, noise, intruders, escapes, disease, power failures, floods, dangerous misconduct of staff, keys and alarm management. SAPA Accreditation. C2 Health Legislative requirements of province. Health plan as part of Management Plan to be approved by provincial authority Best practice to be followed for maintenance, cleaning, disease prevention, parasite prevention, odors, fly and flea prevention. 1. Breeder/keeper to appoint a competent, registered vet knowledgeable in the field of 3
C3 Feeding Feeding plan as part of Management Plan to be approved by provincial authority 1. Feeding has to be done in a way that minimizes exposure to the human environment 2. Breeder/keeper to adhere to a vet approved feeding programme predator health. D Management and Admin D1 Permits All activities regarding the keeping, breeding, trade and hunting of ranch lions are subject to TOPS CITES and provincial legislation and permit requirements. Comply with provincial, TOPS and CITES permit requirements SAPA Accreditation. D2 Identification Legislative requirements of province and CITES requirements All managed ranch lions must be properly identified. D3 Mandatory reporting of non-compliance Legislative requirements of province. ( In terms of provincial legislation Professional hunters need to report all non-compliance by clients to the provincial regulatory authority.) 1. SAPA Executive to be notified of noncompliance to applicable legislation by all members D4 Staff The Labor Relations Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act 1. Standards of fences, gates, overhangs, feeding pens, separation pens, medical facilities, animal management systems to comply with relevant provincial 2. All breeders and keepers are to ensure adequate training of all levels of staff involved with the management of the facilities and related procedures 4
E Marketing E1 Marketing an authentic hunt Legislative requirements of province. 1. All National and Provincial legislative requirements. 2. No misrepresentation of the facts regarding the hunt. 3. No catalogue marketing of individual (specific) animals. 4. No personification of lions (names) may be used in advertising 5. Photographs of previous hunts may be used. Marketing Brochures E2 Minimum information in marketing material All National and Provincial legislation pertaining to advertising and marketing. Minimum information to be included in marketing material. That a managed ranch lion will be hunted That it will be a walk-and-stalk hunt That special arrangements may be made for disabled hunters The applicable legislative requirements The topography and habitat of the hunting venue Facilities and infrastructure of the hunting venue 5
F The Hunt F1 Authenticity of the hunt 1. Everything possible should be done by the landowner, the PH and the hunting outfitter to deliver a real African experience. 2. Appropriate sport hunting conduct is to be applicable to all hunts of managed ranch lions. 3. A standardized SAPA evaluation questionnaire is available from the outfitter and may be completed and signed by hunters as part of a quality control procedure. Feedback from the client will be evaluated by the SAPA Executive and, if necessary, further investigation and/or correctional/disciplinary procedures will be undertaken. F2 Requirements for an authentic hunt 1. A written contract, in agreement with the relevant legislation and in line with hunting agreement and marketing material, in which all vital aspects of the hunt are stipulated 2. The client should be properly briefed about all operational aspects of the hunt. 3. Emergency procedures need to be explained to the hunter and the hunting party. 4. Hunting must take place according to the principles of fair chase. F3 Practices explicitly prohibited All prohibitions in Section 72 of the TOPS Regulations to be adhered to. 6
F4 Responsibilities of the hunting outfitter and his PH 1. It is the outfitter s responsibility to ensure an authentic hunt. 2. Outfitters must maintain the highest standards of ethics and skill during the hunt. 3. Effective tracking and hunting skills. 4. No alcohol may be consumed before and during the hunt by any member of the hunting party G Trade in derivatives G1 Trade in lion products legislation and all CITES, regulations. 1. Keepers/breeders/outfitters may legally trade in lion products. 2. SAPA members to strictly comply with all statutory requirements. 3. SAPA members must ensure transparency and high ethical standards in the harvesting of material. 4. Accreditation of lion hunting destinations and outfitters As from January 2014 SAPA embarked on a project to accredit lion hunting destinations that comply with the relevant National and Provincial legislation and the SAPA norms and standards. By recognized accreditation of managed ranch lion hunting destinations SAPA will create a system through which prospective hunters of managed ranc lions will be able to select a lion hunting destination that is guaranteed to be in line with international hunting standards. Lion hunting will be evaluated by a independent technical team appointed by the SAPA Executive. The relevant National and Provincial legislation together with the norms and standards set out in this document will be used as accreditation criteria. 2013-11-13 Under revision: January 2016 7