Cathrine & Lizaene - Founders
Rescued white lion
Panthera is a big cat sanctuary situated near Hermanus in the Cape Province, South Africa.
Founders Lizaene Cornwall and Catherine Nyquist had both witnessed first-hand the horrors of lions and other big cats being bred in captivity for commercial purposes. Mainly for tourism experiences – cub petting, walking with lions etc. but also for the unbelievably cruel industry of canned hunting. This experience motivated them to set up Panthera in 2014, a sanctuary where animals rescued from these industries could be placed and given a second chance at a life worth living.
Today they have 28 cats in their care including leopards, lions, tigers, cheetahs, servals, caracals and a jackal. On visiting Panthera the dedication, love and respect for these animals was inspirational.
What Panthera Africa does
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Provide life-time care for rescued big cats in their custom-built sanctuary from all manner of types of exploitation including canned hunting, bone trade, breeding farms, cub petting, circuses, zoos and the private pet trade.
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Raise awareness of issues surrounding keeping big cats in captivity through sanctuary visits, volunteer programmes and educational outreach activities
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Work in collaboration with other key organisations who also address issues relating to captive wildlife
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How Olsen Animal Trust helps
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Provided support for the sanctuary during difficult Covid era and during 2021
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Became a significant seed funder for the building of their new veterinary facility which opened in November 2021
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Extended a grant for the development a solar project to provide reliable, off-grid power for the sanctuary
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Project Images - hover over for details
Canned hunting
Canned hunting is where the target animal is unfairly prevented from escaping the hunter, either by physical constraints (fencing) or by mental constraints (tame, habituated to humans)
Tiger & lion bone trade
Tiger and lion bone trade is the illegal poaching and/or legal breeding of these species to be killed for body parts which are used in Asian traditional medicine.
Breeding farms in South Africa
There is very little control over the numbers of captive lions in South Africa with an estimated 18,000-26,000 of them currently.
Cub petting
Unfortunately, many cubs are hand reared for tourism and hunting. One of Panthera Africa’s main purposes is to create awareness around the canned hunting industry, and be part of the solution to the thousands of captive lions being exploited at the many cub-petting, breeding and hunting farms all around South Africa.
Circus exploitation
There is no wild animal that on its own will want to jump through burning hoops, or sit on a chair, or give a high-5! This comes from years of harsh punishments and beating. The animals have no voice to say no and act out of fear; not choice!
Grim zoo conditions
Although people are becoming more aware of the conditions wild animals such as lions and tigers, suffer under in zoos and circuses worldwide it is still a massive problem. They are kept in miniature cages, often abused and starved – all for the purpose of income from public viewing.
Unsuitable pets
Permits are required to keep any indigenous animals in South Africa. Chaka came from a house in Johannesburg where he was being kept as a family pet along with the children and cats/dogs without the necessary paperwork. He was seized by authorities and in November 2017 moved to the sanctuary. Since arriving Chaka has been part of everyone’s affections. He has bonded very well with the staff, is very confident and knows what he wants.
Alpha & Cora
Alpha and Cora were rescued from a closed down zoo in southern Spain and taken to the wildlife rescue centre in Belgium. Born Free relocated them to Panthera. They are believed to be sisters and have an incredibly close bond. Alpha is the more adventurous of the two lionesses, and often nudges Cora to join her on a walk.
Baguira
New veterinary clinic
OAT helped the Panthera team erect a much needed veterinary clinic to support the welfare of the big cats in their care.
Specialist vet at work
The team at Panther are dedicated to providing the best possible care for all their residents.
Vital health checks
Like all animals, big cats need regular health checks to ensure they are pain and problem free to live a happy and content life whilst at the sanctuary.
For further information on the work of Panthera Africa please visit www.pantheraafrica.com