Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

The Kevin Richardson Foundation partnered with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) in 2023. EWT has been working to restore and protect Greater Kruger, a critical 42,000-ha buffer zone bordering Kruger National Park.

This area has been severely impacted by threats like snaring and poisoning thus endangering its wildlife. Since 2022, EWT have intensified monitoring, provided training, and implemented conservation strategies to safeguard this vital ecosystem. While challenges remain their continued presence is making a tangible impact, ensuring a safer future for Greater Kruger’s wildlife.

Dinokeng Game Reserve

The Foundation partners with Dinokeng Game Reserve to support vital conservation efforts. We help fund their Anti-Poaching Units (APU), ensuring on-the-ground protection for wildlife against illegal activities. Additionally, we contribute to the Strategic Protection of Threatened Species (S.P.O.T.S) program, which works alongside the reserve to safeguard endangered wildlife.

Through these initiatives, we are strengthening conservation efforts, enhancing security, and ensuring the long-term survival of species within Dinokeng, home to our Wildlife Sanctuary.

Dinokeng Volunteer Rangers

The Foundation supports the Dinokeng Volunteer Rangers, a dedicated team working alongside the Dinokeng Game Reserve’s APU to protect wildlife through active snare patrols and removals. Their efforts go beyond conservation – they are vital for safeguarding species, maintaining biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term health of Dinokeng Game Reserve’s ecosystem.

The Volunteer Rangers play a crucial role in preserving habitats, promoting ecosystem balance, and raising awareness within local communities. Their work also supports sustainable tourism by maintaining a thriving, protected wildlife population.

BIG 5 Schools Collective

Launched in 2021, The Big 5 Collective is a Kevin Richardson Foundation initiative dedicated to fostering a deep connection between local communities and wildlife conservation. We believe that meaningful, long-term conservation is only possible when the people living near wildlife reserves see the value in protecting these natural spaces.

Through this program, we partner with like-minded organizations to provide environmental education and wildlife experiences for children living near protected areas. By funding sanctuary visits, game drives, and interactive conservation programs, we aim to inspire the next generation of wildlife guardians. As the program evolves, we remain adaptable to the unique needs of communities near the habitats we protect, ensuring that conservation benefits both people and wildlife for generations to come.

Lessons in Conservation

In 2024, the Kevin Richardson Foundation started its partnership with Lessons in Conservation to engage older students from underprivileged communities in biodiversity and conservation education. Through immersive experiences including K9 unit demonstrations, game drives, and wildlife encounters, the program reinforced key ecological concepts and inspired a new generation of conservationists.

As part of our commitment to creating real opportunities in conservation, we will also be awarding a bursary to a selected student to complete their FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF2) syllabus, providing the candidate with the foundation for a professional career in guiding and conservation. By fostering critical thinking and practical skills, this initiative helps shape the future custodians of our natural world.

University of Pretoria

The Kevin Richardson Foundation is proud to support groundbreaking research conducted at the University of Pretoria’s Veterinary Wildlife Research, within the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

Our funding helps advance critical studies that enhance the health, welfare, and conservation of Africa’s wildlife. Through this partnership, we contribute to veterinary research, ensuring that scientific findings translate into real-world solutions.

By supporting evidence-based conservation, we help drive innovation in wildlife management and safeguard the future of Africa’s iconic species.