CAPTURED IN AFRICA FOUNDATION

Going above & beyond to mitigate, rescue or relocate

– ensuring big cats are protected

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!

WHAT WE DO

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.

HOW WE HELP

Ethical, responsible, professional intervention.

In all circumstances, the Captured In Africa Foundation looks to protect by;

• Providing a mitigation management and facilitation in matters of animal welfare involving big cats and other wildlife
• Dealing with wildlife organisations, professionals, authorities, reserves, rangers, vets, facilities and members of the public who notify our team of any situation involving big cats or other wildlife and requiring intervention, rescue or relocation
• Working with wildlife management to facilitate responsible population control in wild areas and reserves
• Devising appropriate projects and initiatives that implement better protection of wildlife
• Working with professionally trained and appropriately skilled vets, logistical services and wildlife experts
• Reporting and dealing with relevant local authorities of any issue requiring intervention and working with them to ensure successful resolution
• Ensuring correct and proper procedures are met with local and international governments

• Applying for and handling all applicable permits (including required CITES import & export permits for international relocations and rescues)
• Drawing binding contracts and agreements between parties that ensure the forever protection of any big cat requiring intervention
• Working and liaising with facility management & staff to insure safe & responsible interventions
• Facilitating the removal of big cats from vulnerable situations to other wild areas or ethical sanctuaries (wild cat to wild area, captive cat to sanctuary – we do not mix the two)
• Working with other wildlife organisations and bodies to facilitate mitigation
• Partnering with relevant land or wildlife management in creating lasting local initiatives which benefit wildlife protection
• Developing lasting working relationships with those responsible for wildlife to ensure greater big cat protection in the future

Learn more: MEET THE TEAM and discover our CONSERVATION AWARENESS

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!