‘Hideous’ Lion Hunts Face Possible Ban in South Africa

Captive lion hunts in South Africa could be endangered after a government report decried the practice as “hideous,” adding new fuel for efforts to ban it and end the trade in lion bones.

South Africa has been criticized at home and abroad for allowing lions to be killed in captivity by hunters for trophies or others who sell the bones to markets in Asia for traditional medicine ingredients. The parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Environmental Affairs recently said the country’s reputation is at stake.

The issue now heads to the Environment Ministry, which is convening a high-level panel to review ...