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Thailand’s Captive Lions Crisis: A Rising Industry Challenges Public Safety, Welfare, and Tourism Integrity
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thailand
A peer-reviewed study published in 2024 shows Thailand’s captive lion population has more than tripled in seven years. The surge is driven by a growing commercial market that moves animals among breeding farms, lion cafés, private homes, and zoos for photography, breeding, and private sales. The investigation tracked 444 lions alive in Thailand as of November 2024, up from about 131 in 2018, and highlights unregulated ownership, hybrid breeding, and cub exploitation for online content.
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