Panthera leo (Annex B) (African Lion)

As in 2010, Annex B trade in P. leo met the criteria for high volume trade in a globally threatened species and EU imports of Annex B specimens consisted primarily of captive-bred and wild-sourced trophies (82 and 65, respectively). Wild-sourced trophies and trophy items equated to approximately 100 individuals, although a permit analysis revealed that five trophy items were imported on the same permits as other items, potentially reducing the number of lions involved to 95. This represents an increase of 8% compared to 2010. Captive-bred trophies and trophy items equated to approximately 119 individuals, representing an increase of 30% compared to 2010. As in 2010, the majority of both wild-sourced and captive-bred trophies and trophy items originated in South Africa. A negative opinion was formed for wild specimens from South Africa on 10/11/2011.

2010 Summary for Panthera leo (Annex B) (African Lion)

Criteria met:  High volume (globally threatened)

Principal trade term to the EU:  trophies, specimens

Principal source:  wild-sourced, captive-bred

Top EU importer:  trophies: Spain; specimens: France

Top Trading Partner:  South Africa, Switzerland

CITES Appendix:  II

IUCN Status:  Vulnerable

EU-reported imports of Panthera leo trophies and trophy items (bodies, skins and skulls; purposes H, P and T) from the two main sources (‘W’ and ‘C’), 2001-2010.

With the exception of imports for scientific purposes, wild-sourced imports in 2010 comprised 77 trophies, 11 skins, two skulls and two feet (all purpose ‘H’ or ‘P’), equating to approximately 91 individuals in trade. A permit analysis indicates that several trophy items were imported on the same permit as another item, possibly reducing the number of animals involved to 88. Imports of captive-bred parts and derivatives comprised 80 trophies, 28 teeth, three bodies and one skull, equating to approximately 84 individuals in trade. In addition, 34 captive-bred, live animals were imported. Wild-sourced trophy imports decreased between 2009 and 2010, while captive-bred imports increased.

The majority of wild-sourced imports originated in South Africa and Tanzania (42% and 22% respectively), while all the captive-bred trophies and 65% of live, captive-bred imports originated in South Africa.

The SRG formed a positive opinion for Tanzania on 29/02/2008, which was confirmed on 07/06/2012; a negative opinion was formed for all wild specimens from South Africa on 10/11/2011.