South Africa’s Rhino Crossroads: Why the Next Decisions Matter
By Catherine Pretorius South Africa’s rhino story has never been simple. It’s a story of extraordinary conservation effort, immense financial pressure, brutal poaching, and growing tension over what real protection should look like. But according to a July 2026 public statement by the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa, or WAPFSA, the country has […]
Until the Last Lion Remains Standing
December 10 will be remembered not for political minefields or NGO agendas, but for something far more sobering. Wednesday, December 10, 2025, marked the day South Africa witnessed, in horror, its first lion-carcass burn a grim and dejected triumph for humanity. A moment where majestic kings of the wild, after lives spent in captivity, were […]
What the Voluntary Exit Programme Really Means — And Why Aucamp Doesn’t Want You to Notice
By Katherine Pretorius There’s one thing the public deserves to understand clearly: The Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP) is not a political invention — it is a formal step in a legitimate government process to shut down the captive lion industry. This process began years ago when the government’s High-Level Panel reviewed the industry and reached […]
When the Law Isn’t Enough: Why Trophy Hunting Needs Stronger Conservation Oversight
By Katherine Pretorius Another lion is gone. Not just any lion—Blondie, a collared pride male from Hwange National Park, was shot and killed in late June 2025 by a trophy hunter. Despite being collared for conservation, younger than the legal hunting age, and actively raising cubs, he was lured out of the safety of a […]