The scope and scale of commercial captive lion breeding (CLB) in South Africa have rapidly increased since the 1990s. We conducted a qualitative systematic review using the PRISMA protocol to determine whether CLB provides a sustainable supply side intervention to reduce pressure on wild lion populations. A search was performed using three academic databases for sources published between 2008 and 2023. We collated and reviewed the data using an evaluation framework to determine the potential benefits and threats of CLB in the context of conservation. Among the 126 peer-reviewed and 37 grey literature articles identified, we found evidence suggesting that the framework’s criteria were not fully met, raising concerns that CLB may facilitate the demand for lions, their parts, and derivatives. Our findings further indicate a reasonable cause to doubt that the CLB provides a sustainable supply side intervention to meet the commercial demand for lions, their parts, and derivatives. This could adversely impact conservation of wild lion populations. We conclude that further research is required to effectively evaluate the purported conservation benefits of CLB. These insights may also have implications for the policy and governance of commercial predator breeding operations in South Africa and globally.

South Africa maintains thousands of captive lions and other felids in commercial captive wildlife facilities. Despite ongoing debate regarding the welfare implications of this industry, empirical assessments of welfare conditions remain limited. This study conducted a baseline assessment of welfare and husbandry conditions in public-facing captive lion venues in South Africa. A welfare assessment framework was applied across 34 tourism venues in Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo and North West provinces. Ten welfare indices were evaluated: mobility, environmental noise quality, shelter, hygiene, naturalness, social interaction, enrichment, diet quality, entertainment intensity, and animal management. Assessments were conducted using covert participant observation. Relationships between welfare scores, entry price and the provision of animal–visitor interactions (AVIs) were subsequently examined. A total of 627 lions were recorded across the 34 venues. No venue achieved high welfare scores across all indices, and welfare conditions were predominantly intermediate. Hygiene and environmental noise quality received the highest welfare scores, whereas animal management, enrichment, entertainment intensity and naturalness received the lowest. Recurring welfare concerns included restricted enclosure sizes, limited environmental complexity, inadequate shelter and retreat opportunities, inconsistent feeding practices, poor water quality, premature cub separation and intensive AVIs. Welfare scores were significantly higher at venues that prohibit AVIs than at venues offering such experiences. This study provides a standardised assessment of welfare conditions in South Africa’s captive lion tourism sector and contributes empirical evidence to the ongoing discussions regarding the regulation and future management of the industry.