Lord Ashcroft believes that South Africa needs to halt captive-lion breeding, which has resulted in thousands of lions being killed for the “bone trade” or as hunting trophies. Campaigning by him at others has led to a decision in South Africa to ban future ‘lion farming’. Lord Ashcroft also believes that the UK Government should follow the lead of other countries, notably the US, in banning the importation of captive-lion trophies.