Poaching - Johannesburg, South Africa

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Secure Source was instrumental in exposing the sale of elephants and lions in zoos around the world. The largest case took place in Zimbabwe where Secure Source provided an in-depth, pro-bono, investigation to support international media outlets. 

In support of their global campaigning, an international animal welfare NGO wanted to find evidence of links between big cat petting parks and “canned” hunting. Using a supporting cover story, Secure Source deployed operatives who, over a period of a few weeks, found evidence of clear breaches of animal welfare legislation in the petting parks. They found that lion cubs deemed too old for children to pet were sold to unscrupulous safari lodges for the purpose of canned hunting. Our client was able to exert pressure on the parks and lodges, resulting in improved and more humane animal welfare practices.