A group of leading safari operators have taken a stand against predator breeding and canned hunting practices.

The group, which includes Wilderness Safaris, Jenman Safaris, Great Plains, and Africa Albida, signed a statement at the Conservation Lab this week, stating that these practices have no conservation merit.

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The move follows and supports the release of feature film, Blood Lions.

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“Whilst predator breeding and canned hunting practices are currently confined to southern Africa, we stand together as a pan-African industry in joining our voices with the global call for having them stopped,” the statement reads. “The established predator research and scientific community do not recognise any of the breeders or operating facilities as having conservation merit.”

“We strongly request that the respective authorities take note of the mounting global opposition to these practices and begin a process of shutting them down,” it goes on.

The signatories also warned that breeding facilities confuse the conservation messages and priorities and that evidence shows the activities of predator breeding facilities place additional pressure on wild lions.

The African-based operators have also committed to not support operators who contribute to the cycle of breeding, such as petting facilities.

Support and promotion of formal conservation, ethical wildlife interaction, and continuing individual conservation efforts are some of the commitments made by the operators.

Operators who wish to join in support should contact Blood Lions on info@bloodlions.org.