Land

In Africa, lions have been forced to survive on land that is only one-fifth of the size they occupied a few decades ago. Habitat protection is the first line of defence in ensuring these beautiful animals survive the century. The Foundation aims to buy up tracts of land that expands territory for lions and other wildlife, and ensure these areas are safeguarded in perpetuity. 

Land for Lions
In 2018 the “Land for Lions” campaign was launched, and in October 2021 we acquired our first 1,120 hectares of wildlife habitat. Restoring and maintaining this land is a continued commitment, as well as caring for the sanctuary animals that reside there until their lives come
to a natural end. “Land for Lions” is an ongoing campaign and we have identified subsequent portions of land to expand upon.

To support this campaign, click here

Land for Lions
In 2018 the “Land for Lions” campaign was launched, and in October 2021 we acquired our first 1,120 hectares of wildlife habitat. Restoring and maintaining this land is a continued commitment, as well as caring for the sanctuary animals that reside there until their lives come
to a natural end. “Land for Lions” is an ongoing campaign and we have identified subsequent portions of land to expand upon.

To support this campaign, click here

COMMUNITY

The Kevin Richardson Foundation firmly believes in integrated conservation. If the communities living alongside wild species do not experience the tangible benefits of protecting wildlife, then human/wildlife conflict and poaching will persist. The Foundation invests in communities that share boundaries with, and are affected by wildlife, through providing opportunities to engage with and learn about wildlife.

The Big 5 Schools Collective

The Big 5 Schools Collective began as an in-classroom wildlife education programme for children between the ages of 3-6 years old in Kekana Gardens, Hammanskraal. This innovative intervention inspires children to care for wildlife by introducing the Big 5 to them in their home language, and teaching them about wildlife using puppets, songs, shadow boxes, masks, storytelling and workbooks.

The program has now expanded to provide real wildlife experiences in the form of safari trips into the Big 5 Game reserve. This project is in partnership with Mongena Private Game Lodge who carries out a similar programme with the elderly members of the community. This programme is leading children to have a direct effect on the choices their parents, some of whom have engaged in wildlife snaring and poaching for subsistence purposes.

To watch a video about this incredible project and direct your donation towards it, click here: Globalgiving

To learn about Covid-19 relief we brought to these communities please see our annual report for 2020/2021.

The Big 5 Schools Collective

The Big 5 Schools Collective began as an in-classroom wildlife education programme for children between the ages of 3-6 years old in Kekana Gardens, Hammanskraal. This innovative intervention inspires children to care for wildlife by introducing the Big 5 to them in their home language, and teaching them about wildlife using puppets, songs, shadow boxes, masks, storytelling and workbooks.

The program has now expanded to provide real wildlife experiences in the form of safari trips into the Big 5 Game reserve. This project is in partnership with Mongena Private Game Lodge who carries out a similar programme with the elderly members of the community. This programme is leading children to have a direct effect on the choices their parents, some of whom have engaged in wildlife snaring and poaching for subsistence purposes.

To watch a video about this incredible project and direct your donation towards it, click here: Globalgiving

To learn about Covid-19 relief we brought to these communities please see our annual report for 2020/2021.

The Big 5 Schools Collective

The Big 5 Schools Collective began as an in-classroom wildlife education programme for children between the ages of 3-6 years old in Kekana Gardens, Hammanskraal. This innovative intervention inspires children to care for wildlife by introducing the Big 5 to them in their home language, and teaching them about wildlife using puppets, songs, shadow boxes, masks, storytelling and workbooks.

The program has now expanded to provide real wildlife experiences in the form of safari trips into the Big 5 Game reserve. This project is in partnership with Mongena Private Game Lodge who carries out a similar programme with the elderly members of the community. This programme is leading children to have a direct effect on the choices their parents, some of whom have engaged in wildlife snaring and poaching for subsistence purposes.

To watch a video about this incredible project and direct your donation towards it, click here: Globalgiving

To learn about Covid-19 relief we brought to these communities please see our annual report for 2020/2021.

wildlife

Since its inception, the Foundation has supported projects that prevent human-wildlife conflict and the killing of predator cats in the wild. These projects have taken place in both South Africa and Namibia. From anti-poaching initiatives, to lion guard programs that track and protect wild lion prides from killing farmers, livestock, protecting wild animals requires a whole ecosystem of interventions. The Foundation is currently expanding this work to provide grants to innovative projects across the continent.

Namibian Lion Trust

For five years we have supported Namibian Lion Trust in their work to prevent human-wildlife conflict between lions and local subsistence farmers in the Hobatere region near Etosha National Park. By building bomas to prevent subsistence farmer’s cattle from lion predation, as well as showing the benefit of protecting lions by supporting the rural community schools, the project works to reduce tensions between lions and farmers and encourage peaceful coexistence. The Foundation has also assisted in providing solar powered “lion lights’ to distract predators from livestock herds, and funded the salaries of the lion guards who track of wild lions and farmers with early warning systems to prevent livestock predation.

To watch a video on this project, click here

Anti-poaching

During the pandemic and tourism shutdown in 2020, the Foundation supported Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve by helping pay the staff salaries  (with emphasis on the Anti-Poaching Units).. The Foundation now continues to support the anti-poaching units monthly, covering the salaries of the expanded team and improving their technology and equipment. The Foundation has also since provided new equipment to the APU’s to assist in the ongoing struggle.

To donate towards anti-poaching efforts, click on here

Rhino Horn Implants Initiative

In 2021, we funded the implanting of 15 rhino in our neighbouring reserve in response to the increase in rhino poaching. Our supporters responded as we ran a competition asking them to donate and potentially win a trip to South Africa. The competition was a great success and all 15 rhino have since successfully received these tracking devices.

The Miracle 8

Building further on the preservation of wildlife species, the Foundation has ventured into the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding and release of injured or orphaned wildlife. Our first project, the Miracle 8, saw eight orphaned cheetah rehabilitated and successfully released into the wild across four South African wildlife reserves.

This project captured the hearts of so many supporters that the campaign lives on in through “the Miracle 8 Legacy Fund”. This fund honours the incredible story of the orphaned cheetah cubs through helping wildlife in similar situations, as well as putting interventions in place to prevent the loss of wildlife mothers to poaching and snaring.

To watch videos about this project, click here

To direct your donation towards rehabilitation and release, click here

Namibian Lion Trust

For five years we have supported Namibian Lion Trust in their work to prevent human-wildlife conflict between lions and local subsistence farmers in the Hobatere region near Etosha National Park. By building bomas to prevent subsistence farmer’s cattle from lion predation, as well as showing the benefit of protecting lions by supporting the rural community schools, the project works to reduce tensions between lions and farmers and encourage peaceful coexistence. The Foundation has also assisted in providing solar powered “lion lights’ to distract predators from livestock herds, and funded the salaries of the lion guards who track of wild lions and farmers with early warning systems to prevent livestock predation.

To watch a video on this project, click here

Anti-poaching

During the pandemic and tourism shutdown in 2020, the Foundation supported Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve by helping pay the staff salaries  (with emphasis on the Anti-Poaching Units).. The Foundation now continues to support the anti-poaching units monthly, covering the salaries of the expanded team and improving their technology and equipment. The Foundation has also since provided new equipment to the APU’s to assist in the ongoing struggle.

To donate towards anti-poaching efforts, click on here

Rhino Horn Implants Initiative

In 2021, we funded the implanting of 15 rhino in our neighbouring reserve in response to the increase in rhino poaching. Our supporters responded as we ran a competition asking them to donate and potentially win a trip to South Africa. The competition was a great success and all 15 rhino have since successfully received these tracking devices.

The Miracle 8

Building further on the preservation of wildlife species, the Foundation has ventured into the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding and release of injured or orphaned wildlife. Our first project, the Miracle 8, saw eight orphaned cheetah rehabilitated and successfully released into the wild across four South African wildlife reserves.

This project captured the hearts of so many supporters that the campaign lives on in through “the Miracle 8 Legacy Fund”. This fund honours the incredible story of the orphaned cheetah cubs through helping wildlife in similar situations, as well as putting interventions in place to prevent the loss of wildlife mothers to poaching and snaring.

To watch videos about this project, click here

To direct your donation towards rehabilitation and release, click here

Namibian Lion Trust

For five years we have supported Namibian Lion Trust in their work to prevent human-wildlife conflict between lions and local subsistence farmers in the Hobatere region near Etosha National Park. By building bomas to prevent subsistence farmer’s cattle from lion predation, as well as showing the benefit of protecting lions by supporting the rural community schools, the project works to reduce tensions between lions and farmers and encourage peaceful coexistence. The Foundation has also assisted in providing solar powered “lion lights’ to distract predators from livestock herds, and funded the salaries of the lion guards who track of wild lions and farmers with early warning systems to prevent livestock predation.

To watch a video on this project, click here

Anti-poaching

During the pandemic and tourism shutdown in 2020, the Foundation supported Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve by helping pay the staff salaries  (with emphasis on the Anti-Poaching Units).. The Foundation now continues to support the anti-poaching units monthly, covering the salaries of the expanded team and improving their technology and equipment. The Foundation has also since provided new equipment to the APU’s to assist in the ongoing struggle.

To donate towards anti-poaching efforts, click on here

Rhino Horn Implants Initiative

In 2021, we funded the implanting of 15 rhino in our neighbouring reserve in response to the increase in rhino poaching. Our supporters responded as we ran a competition asking them to donate and potentially win a trip to South Africa. The competition was a great success and all 15 rhino have since successfully received these tracking devices.

The Miracle 8

Building further on the preservation of wildlife species, the Foundation has ventured into the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding and release of injured or orphaned wildlife. Our first project, the Miracle 8, saw eight orphaned cheetah rehabilitated and successfully released into the wild across four South African wildlife reserves.

This project captured the hearts of so many supporters that the campaign lives on in through “the Miracle 8 Legacy Fund”. This fund honours the incredible story of the orphaned cheetah cubs through helping wildlife in similar situations, as well as putting interventions in place to prevent the loss of wildlife mothers to poaching and snaring.

To watch videos about this project, click here

To direct your donation towards rehabilitation and release, click here

Namibian Lion Trust

For five years we have supported Namibian Lion Trust in their work to prevent human-wildlife conflict between lions and local subsistence farmers in the Hobatere region near Etosha National Park. By building bomas to prevent subsistence farmer’s cattle from lion predation, as well as showing the benefit of protecting lions by supporting the rural community schools, the project works to reduce tensions between lions and farmers and encourage peaceful coexistence. The Foundation has also assisted in providing solar powered “lion lights’ to distract predators from livestock herds, and funded the salaries of the lion guards who track of wild lions and farmers with early warning systems to prevent livestock predation.

To watch a video on this project, click here

Anti-poaching

During the pandemic and tourism shutdown in 2020, the Foundation supported Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve by helping pay the staff salaries  (with emphasis on the Anti-Poaching Units).. The Foundation now continues to support the anti-poaching units monthly, covering the salaries of the expanded team and improving their technology and equipment. The Foundation has also since provided new equipment to the APU’s to assist in the ongoing struggle.

To donate towards anti-poaching efforts, click on here

Rhino Horn Implants Initiative

In 2021, we funded the implanting of 15 rhino in our neighbouring reserve in response to the increase in rhino poaching. Our supporters responded as we ran a competition asking them to donate and potentially win a trip to South Africa. The competition was a great success and all 15 rhino have since successfully received these tracking devices.

The Miracle 8

Building further on the preservation of wildlife species, the Foundation has ventured into the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding and release of injured or orphaned wildlife. Our first project, the Miracle 8, saw eight orphaned cheetah rehabilitated and successfully released into the wild across four South African wildlife reserves.

This project captured the hearts of so many supporters that the campaign lives on in through “the Miracle 8 Legacy Fund”. This fund honours the incredible story of the orphaned cheetah cubs through helping wildlife in similar situations, as well as putting interventions in place to prevent the loss of wildlife mothers to poaching and snaring.

To watch videos about this project, click here:

To direct your donation towards rehabilitation and release, click here: Miracle Legacy Fund page

collaboration

As time runs short to keep lions living in the wild, the Kevin Richardson Foundation recognises the need for immediate widespread action. In the digital age there is great power in the hands of individuals, and change can occur through citizen conservationists. The Foundation hopes to call on those across the globe who seek to combat wildlife degradation to participate in our campaigns for spreading awareness and fundraising. Working with individuals, artists, academics, well-known personalities and organisations on the ground, the Foundation believes the protection of wild lions can become a priority in worldwide conservation efforts.

Academic Research

Since 2018 the Foundation has supported academic research in fields that improve outcomes for both captive and wild predator species. Our relationship with the university of Pretoria’s Carnivore Working group continues, and we have provided finishing funds for many individual researchers in the field, as well as hosted them at the sanctuary. The Foundation has also funded several independent researchers working in topics affecting wild dogs, hyena and predator cats.

Youth Ambassadors Programme

The Youth Ambassador programme supports our collaborative efforts as it empowers schoolchildren to educate their peers about the status and challenges facing lions today. Following on from the work of Finn and Elliot (our first youth ambassadors), the Foundation offers an opportunity for other passionate young individuals to follow in their footsteps. In June 2020 we released a full classroom presentation package in collaboration with Finn and Elliot. This presentation kit for students aids them in raising awareness about the plight of lions. The presentation includes slides and prompts, as well as thorough instructions for completing the presentation, making it as easy as possible to give this presentation.

To learn more or sign up for this presentation, click here

The Captive Lion Industry

The Foundation has long promoted the message about the reality facing captive lions and the abhorrent captive lion industry, as well as the lion bone trade. Aside from attending industry relevant events and being available to advocacy groups, Kevin Richardson was instrumental in the producing of a family film that has educated millions across the globe about the reality of the captive lion industry. “Mia and the White Lion” has carried a difficult message to many a home, in a form that is both understandable and challenging.

Academic Research

Since 2018 the Foundation has supported academic research in fields that improve outcomes for both captive and wild predator species. Our relationship with the university of Pretoria’s Carnivore Working group continues, and we have provided finishing funds for many individual researchers in the field, as well as hosted them at the sanctuary. The Foundation has also funded several independent researchers working in topics affecting wild dogs, hyena and predator cats.

Youth Ambassadors Programme

The Youth Ambassador programme supports our collaborative efforts as it empowers schoolchildren to educate their peers about the status and challenges facing lions today. Following on from the work of Finn and Elliot (our first youth ambassadors), the Foundation offers an opportunity for other passionate young individuals to follow in their footsteps. In June 2020 we released a full classroom presentation package in collaboration with Finn and Elliot. This presentation kit for students aids them in raising awareness about the plight of lions. The presentation includes slides and prompts, as well as thorough instructions for completing the presentation, making it as easy as possible to give this presentation.

To learn more or sign up for this presentation, click here

The Captive Lion Industry

The Foundation has long promoted the message about the reality facing captive lions and the abhorrent captive lion industry, as well as the lion bone trade. Aside from attending industry relevant events and being available to advocacy groups, Kevin Richardson was instrumental in the producing of a family film that has educated millions across the globe about the reality of the captive lion industry. “Mia and the White Lion” has carried a difficult message to many a home, in a form that is both understandable and challenging.