The Captured In Africa Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation, established to support ongoing efforts for the protection, relocation or rescue of vulnerable and at risk big cats, both in the wild and exploited captive situations.
Captured In Africa Exclusive Safaris was established in 2013 with a view to promote conservation awareness, with an emphasis on the plight of Africa’s big cats. The Captured In Africa Foundation is therefore a subsidiary support for the personal work of Captured In Africa founder Drew Abrahamson, who has become a key figure in big cat conservation efforts.
The foundation was established out of the necessity to help legitimate ‘on the ground’ organisations that we work with throughout Africa. For them to have the solid back up of a highly ethical team. The Foundation also supports the ongoing efforts of Lion rescues and relocations, both captive & wild, which forms the basis of our conservation goal!
In countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Egypt and the Middle-East, there is a huge exploitation of what some refer to as “Africa’s natural resources” and where these “resources” are under threat or have been exploited, Captured In Africa hope to protect and in many cases rescue and/or relocate to safeguard their future.
South Africa in particular is a hub for lion breeding and exploitation – times arise when lions and other big cats require intervention. This intervention can either be a rescue of an exploited big cat from breeders or private owners, or a relocation of a big cat from one wild area to another.
These sad and often difficult situations can arise from many circumstances;
Working with wildlife management to safeguard wild cats
Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs have all fallen victim to this conflict, whether near villages or farms, local people and farmers must understandably protect their interests. However, we believe working in harmony with wildlife is critical in today’s’ environment when we can ill-afford to lose any more iconic species – with this philosophy, we are able to mitigate and/or arrange interventions in such circumstances where there may be a “problem animal” such as a big cat attacking livestock, or a cat having escaped a reserve boundary fence. Having a broader view to these “problem animals” means we can deal with situations effectively, keeping the animal alive and showing that these species are not necessarily a “problem”.
Managed wildlife reserves are also under huge strain to ethically and responsibly control wildlife numbers. Culling lions in particular, we believe and hope is a thing of the past. However, in order for these reserves to correctly maintain such numbers, an outlet is required to avoid the unnecessary killing of what are generally healthy animals – the Captured In Africa Foundation works hand in hand with these reserves and wildlife management, along with government authorities and seeks to facilitate relocations to other reserves where the animals can continue living in a wild environment – thus avoiding a reserves’ need to cull.
Private big cat ownership is a worldwide issue
Owning an exotic animal has for far too long been seen as a status symbol, or personal possession to enjoy and often keep as a “pet”. In the USA for example, there are great efforts to bring new laws banning the ownership of exotic animals such as big cats. Middle Eastern counties such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have long been keen importers and breeders of cheetahs, lions and tigers. With a lack of animal welfare laws in such countries, there is a hastened need for better education and protection for big cats in these countries.
Captured In Africa have also seen a worrying trend of private lodges and nature reserves buying (or loaning from lion breeders) 1 or 2 lions, that they will then use and exploit for tourist activities as cub petting and walking with lions experiences… all of which goes to feed the “farming” industry of these species.
Canned Hunting, behind the charade
In South Africa there are currently approximately 7,000 lions in captivity, bred on mass for the cub petting industry, walking with lion experiences and canned hunting.
Canned Hunting is a commercial industry to which the Captured In Africa team advocate for a ban. It is this industry which has seen an increase in a need for genuine sanctuary homes for lions. Lion cubs hold a particular fascination for tourists and volunteers, who pay good money to pet, play, walk and care for them under the assumption that it is part of conservation efforts for lions or other big cats. In fact, what tourists and volunteers are really doing is taming these lions ready for a trophy collector in what is known as a captive lion hunt, aka canned hunting.
Captured In Africa advise against all petting and walking with lion, tiger or cheetah experiences available to tourists and volunteers.
The Captured In Africa Foundation oversees all relocations & rescues from beginning to completion.
Creating Impact for Wildlife & Local People
Through working with strategic partners, the Captured In Africa Foundation looks to develop and maintain community involvement in wildlife protection and efforts in nature.
Initiatives we support, such as Tree Planting in local communities in South Africa and Botswana, is aided by our primary safari business injecting both awareness and funds to where it’s needed. In connection to this, our team look to create new initiatives where they see a need for impact.
Projects within communities are an important and integral part of developing lasting conservation efforts, whilst aiding the uplifting of local people. Establishing such initiatives is a commitment the Foundation seeks to implement.
Ethical, responsible, professional intervention.
In all circumstances, the Captured In Africa Foundation looks to protect by;
Authorities, wildlife professionals and others requiring mitigation and/or intervention, may contact us;
Phone: +27(82) 464 2726
Email: foundation@capturedinafrica.co.za
Email: drew@capturedinafrica.co.za
COMMITTED TO CONSERVATION
Captured In Africa Foundation
Registered Non-Profit Company
NPC number: 2015/357803/08
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If you would like to make a donation, our account details are as follows;
Name: Captured In Africa Foundation
Bank: First National Bank
Acc No: 62594014749
Branch: 250-655
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJXXX
Paypal donations may be sent to: foundation@capturedinafrica.co.za
Thank you for supporting the survival & protection of big cats!
I just wanted to express my appreciation for the great work that your organization is doing. I have been a huge admirer of big cats, particularly the cheetah since I was a kid. I feel the conservation of the species and their habitat is extremely important and hats off to the efforts you're putting in. Sitting in Pakistan I can only admire the work that you're doing and perhaps volunteer in some way. From all the people here, praying for the successful conservation of all endangered species, I would like to thank you for the work you're carrying out for all of us.
- Hamza Kamal