ALBERTON – Six lion cubs were found in a residence at Raceview, Alberton on November 10, three white lion cubs and three brown lion cubs.
The SPCA received a tip-off from a resident in Raceview, whose two-year-old grandson saw the lions while playing on the jungle gym.
They originally told him it is not possible and that it is probably puppies he saw. After inspecting for themselves they realised that their two-year-old knows the difference between lion cubs and puppies.
According to Retha Lombaard of Lombardi Lions, the lion cubs were only on the premises for a ‘stopover’ before they made their way to a farm in the Orange Free State.
She further explains that the lion cubs were on the premises for 20 hours, and that they have 24 hours for a stopover and thus did not need a permit for the residential space the lions were occupying.
Acting on this tip-off, the SPCA along with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and members of the SAPS went out to investigate an address in Winnipeg Street, although this was the wrong address. Kingston Siziba, the SPCA manager, relates how the resident keeping the lions drove past and asked what they were busy with. They explained that they were looking for lion cubs in the area. This was the same person whom they approached after receiving the address.
Kingston further explains that with any indigenous animals permits are essential, and thus they asked to view the permits after arriving at the residence where the lions were kept.
The SPCA noted that there were two permits. One of the permits indicated that the lions were to be housed at Thaba Eco Hotel, and a copy of a Performing Animals Protection Act Permit.
Siziba said the lions were in a very good condition and had enough water and space. He further explained that the role of the SPCA in situations like these is to check on the conditions that the animals are living in as well as their health condition.
The permits and any other legal checks fall under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
After the RECORD spoke to Reuben Louw, the CEO of Thaba Eco Hotel, he explained that the lease for Lombardi Lions to stay in the Eco’s premises expired on August 31 and that they didn’t give permission for a renewal of the permit of Lombardi Lion cubs on their premises.
In a previous press release it explains why the Thaba Eco Hotel do not host Lombardi Lions anymore: “It is thus our decision to no longer support the public interaction with lion cubs. We will gradually phase this out and at the same time embark on a re-education process.
“We need to honour our commitment towards Lombardi Lions by allowing them to continue with their lease and modus operandi, but we will not renew it. Their current lease expires on August 31.”
This press release was released after a meeting with Drew Abrahamson, involved in Big Cat conservation that took place on May 12 this year.
*For the full press release from Thaba Eco Hotel please visit www.albertonrecord.co.za
