Conservationists Slam South African Plan to Up Lion Bone Trade

South Africa has almost doubled its annual quota of lion bones that can be exported to traditional medicine markets in China and Southeast Asia, outraging wildlife conservationists who say the decision will endanger the African lion.

The quota increased from 800 skeletons to 1,500, with or without the head, and became effective June 7, according to Edna Molewa, South Africa’s minister for environmental affairs, who said the policy change was scientifically based.

The bones can come only from lions held in captivity and not those living in the wild. The trade in wild animals, including lions and their skeletons, ...