The Drakenstein Lion Park has publicly accused CapeNature of “malicious overreach of powers” in an ongoing licensing dispute that it said had already prevented the sanctuary from providing a home to two rescued lion cubs.

The Hart family, who owns and operates the park, issued a lengthy statement on Friday 3 July, detailing what they describe as an 11-month battle with the conservation authority over the adequacy of the sanctuary’s big-cat enclosures.

Established in 1998, the Drakenstein Lion Park is the longest-operating South African-owned big-cat sanctuary. It specialises in rescuing previously abused and mistreated captive big cats, and providing them with permanent care.

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‘No incidents in 28 years’

In the statement Shane, Paul and Sue Hart said they believe CapeNature’s actions are unjustified after nearly three decades of incident-free operation.

“For the past 11 months we have frustratingly been embroiled in what we feel is a malicious overreach of powers by our provincial nature-conservation authority, CapeNature, which has already robbed two rescued lion cubs of a life with us.”

They claim CapeNature has questioned whether the park’s enclosures adequately contain its rescued big cats despite the fencing having been approved for almost three decades.

“After 28 years of granting us licences, CapeNature’s sudden and senseless change of mind about our fencing without any valid cause is truly baffling.”

According to the Harts no animals have escaped and no person has been attacked during the park’s years of operation.

Compounding costs

“This matter has been massively infuriating for us personally and professionally, given that zero incidents have ever occurred at our sanctuary where not any of our animals have escaped the facility or attacked any person in our 28 years of operation, and given that we have rescued and housed 60 big cats during this time without incident.”

The Harts further allege that CapeNature delayed responding to their requests for a deviation from its fencing policy and failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding its requirements.

“To us its actions so far have felt maliciously calculated and planned out.”

The family also claim the dispute has been costly in legal fees, as they had appointed experienced environmental lawyers to challenge the application of an internal policy.

“We refuse to be bullied into following an irrational and illogical internal policy that is technically and fundamentally flawed.”

Authority mumm

Meanwhile, CapeNature declined to comment on the substance of the dispute while the matter remained under appeal.

“As the competent regulatory authority we are currently considering appeals lodged by Drakenstein Lion Park against decisions taken by CapeNature,” spokesperson Petro van Rhyn said.

“These appeals form part of an ongoing administrative process that must be conducted in a manner that is lawful, procedurally fair, impartial and free from external influence. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for us to comment on the merits of the matter while the appeal process remains under consideration.

“Doing so could undermine the integrity of the administrative process, create perceptions of prejudgment, and potentially prejudice the rights of the parties involved.

“Once the administrative process has been concluded and, where appropriate, CapeNature may be in a position to communicate the outcome and the reasons for its decision in accordance with applicable legal requirements.”

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