[LISTEN] Court battle to determine the fate of Mufasa the lion

It has emerged that the North West government wants the 3-year old white lion to be auctioned off.

The legal counsel representing Mufasa is arguing that the lion has rights and authorities have an obligation to conserve the animal.

A legal battle is brewing over the rightful ownership of Mufasa, with the North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development demanding the lion be handed over and passed on to an auctioneering house.

"It's morally unfair to sell such an animal at an auction," says lawyer, Carel Zietsman.

He represents the Wild for Life Rehabilitation Centre in Rustenburg, where Mufasa has spent most of his young life.

According to Zietsman, they were interdicted to hand Mufasa over, but has been arguing that an obligation and responsibility rest on the department to protect animals.

He says only three options remain for Mufasa if they hand him over: Killed for bones, for taxidermist purposes or spend the rest of his life in a so-called predator park.

"If the animals don't have those rights, at least the humans have the obligation (to protect the animal). There is a human responsibility to care for these lions."