South Africa's lion hunting industry to be hit by new US rules which may reduce clients

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa's trophy hunting industry will face new restrictions from this week's decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect African lions under the Endangered Species Act.

Humane Society International said in a statement that the new provisions will discourage American hunters from pursuing lions for sport in South Africa. The organization said most lion trophies brought into the U.S. came from South Africa and from animals bred in captivity and hunted in confined areas.

Christina Pretorius, spokeswoman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare Africa, said that while trophy hunting is common in the region, the organization is concerned about the abuse of captive breeding practices.