MARCH 2022 – FEB 2023
OUR MISSION
Entering its sixth year, the Kevin Richardson Foundation remains true to its founding commitment - the preservation of Africa’s lions as a keystone species and the protection of the habitat on which the existence of wildlife depends. If we do not disrupt the current trajectory of diminishing wildlife habitats in Africa, predator species will dwindle and other species are certain to be at risk. Ensuring the protection of lions secures the future of entire ecosystems, from giraffe and antelope to insects and birds.
In order to sustainably protect wild species, it is essential to create opportunities and motivation for the disadvantaged communities that live on the fringes of these protected areas. The Foundation is thus committed to engaging with practical interventions that decrease human-wildlife conflict and create opportunities for local communities to benefit from the protection of wildlife in meaningful ways.
The Foundation applauds the progress made to date in bringing an end to the breeding and hunting of lions in captivity. We stand ready to contribute meaningfully to this process as South Africa grapples with the challenges of seeing this through. The Foundation prioritises an ability to adapt and evolve according to the needs of the time and thus seeks to support partners and projects that show evident impact.
By fostering a culture of creative collaboration with like-minded individuals and organisations, the Foundation seeks to enter a new age of conservation that makes use of science and research, crosssector collaborations, civilian actors, the youth, the power of multi-platform media and the internet to bring about change.
A SEASON OF CHANGE AND REDEFINING OUR FUTURE
BY KEVIN RICHARDSON, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
The past two years have seen the Foundation grow in ways I never could’ve anticipated when we launched in 2018. After proving our resilience through the post-Covid turbulence that shook NGOs globally, we entered 2022 emboldened by the commitment of our team, our partners, and importantly, our donors. We expanded our collaborations to address urgent wildlife crises in South Africa, supporting anti-poaching efforts in the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, partnering with Endangered Wildlife Trust in Greater Kruger National Park, and responding to the unexpected orphaning of eight cheetah cubs.
Change and agility have become integral to our identity as an organization. While fulfilling commitments is crucial, it should not blind us to evolving realities. As Kahlil Gibran wisely noted, “life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.” I rescued the lions, leopard, and hyena that are in my sanctuary from the captive lion breeding industry. I committed to providing a good life for them until their days came to a natural end, and scarily, that day is nearing quickly. Taking those animals in was acceptable within the historical context of the day, that context has changed, but my commitment remains steadfast.
As our organisation has grown, so have opinions about our work. This discourse unfolds within a rapidly changing landscape for wildlife, with public opinion urging governments to scrutinise captive industries and canned hunting in South Africa. We have closely followed the South African government’s colloquiums and research panels, commenting on each version of the Gazettes aimed at banning captive breeding and canned hunting. Despite positive progress, the recommendation to euthanize over 8,500 captive lions presents a profound moral dilemma. If every life matters, how can we justify such an action?
*Photo courtesy of Jackie Badenhorst
Wildlife charities continue to import lions from abroad, raising funds to ‘repatriate’ them to Africa while neglecting the plight of captive lions in South Africa. That is why, going forward, the Foundation will continue to adapt and change according to the most practical needs and solutions to dealing with captive and wild lions. Unless extreme circumstances called for it, we would never bring in more captive lions to our facility but will focus our attention on the rewilding of habitats, and the rescue and rehabilitation of only animals that are able to be rewilded. It is crucial not to succumb to the emotional tides of current social trends and culture wars, but to align with like-minded individuals and organisations that understand what needs to be done, whether it involves euthanising animals or closing down sanctuaries that continue to “rescue” a never-ending cycle of animals that cannot be released. A staggered process to wind down the industry, with a moratorium on importing more lions and not replacing those that die, would be a more humane solution. Efforts should focus on protecting natural habitats and reducing captive breeding and ownership globally.
Our supporters have shown great wisdom and the ability to grasp the nuances of the current time. We are hopeful they will continue this path of change with the same humility and realistic expectations we uphold. As we anticipate a new government in South Africa next year, with new cabinets making decisions about wildlife and habitat management, we hold hope that we will deliver honest and practical narratives and approaches to the obstacles and challenges lions face, without losing our calling amidst the tough moral and emotional choices ahead.
Join us in this journey of change and redefinition. Together, we can navigate the complexities of wildlife conservation with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the future of these majestic creatures.
KEVIN RICHARDSON
*Photo courtesy of Jackie Badenhorst
OUR YOUNG LEGACY GROWS
BY SHANI VAN STRAATEN, FOUNDATION MANAGER
The past two years have filled me with immense pride. What began as a few ideas scribbled on a napkin has blossomed into a formidable force in wildlife conservation, particularly for lions. Despite moments of sorrow, such as the natural passing of some sanctuary animals, a destructive wildfire incident harming two staff members and ongoing industry disputes, we have every reason to remain hopeful.
Thanks to our loyal donors, many contributing small amounts monthly, we’ve expanded and enhanced our successful core programs. In 2022 we doubled our children’s program -The Big 5 Schools Collective - reaching 800 children from rural areas bordering the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve. These children receive wildlife education and nature sensitization through interactive activities, all in their native language and led by community members. They also get to go on game drives and experience first-hand wildlife encounters, courtesy of our partner Mongena Private Game Lodge. Our support for Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve’s anti-poaching units doubled, resulting in a significant decrease in poaching and snaring incidents. We also galvanized our online followers to help implant 15 rhinos in Dinokeng with tracking devices, a crucial step in preventing the tragic decline of this species in South Africa. The Foundation continued supporting the Namibian Lion Trust in protecting wild lions in the Hobatare region of Etosha, a project we are now concluding after five years of dedication. Additionally, we supported the University of Pretoria’s Center for Veterinary Wildlife Research, providing finishing funds for various research papers aimed at improving interventions for carnivore cats.
* Photo courtesy of Rodney Nombekana
*Photo courtesy of Rodney Nombekana
In 2023 we launched our first public conservation grant and received a mountain of applications from organizations doing solid work in restoring balance and protecting habitats and wildlife in southern Africa.
The grant was awarded to the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Programme as they work daily in protecting the wild lions of the Greater Kruger National Park – home to the majority of South Africa’s lion population.
A project that brought us immense joy was successfully rehabilitating and rewilding the Miracle 8 cheetah cubs of which five cubs were orphaned due to poaching and three due to their mother dying of natural predation. Over a period of two years our staff’s discipline and excellence enabled these cubs to learn to hunt and survive in the wild. They were relocated to various game reserves across South Africa, contributing to the genetic diversity of the meta population. Our joy was complete when the female successfully paired and bred in the wild. This experience has demonstrated our sanctuary’s readiness to receive and rehabilitate other injured or orphaned wildlife, establishing a significant legacy for our captive animals once they have all passed on.
I am incredibly proud of our achievements and deeply grateful to our Board of Directors, our dedicated team, community fieldworkers, organisational allies, and, of course, our donors who have entrusted us with their contributions.
*Photo courtesy of Rodney Nombekana
FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS
1. WILDLIFE PROTECTION AND ANTI-POACHING
DINOKENG BIG 5 GAME RESERVE PARTNERSHIP
In the past two years we significantly bolstered our wildlife protection and anti-poaching initiatives. We financially supported the Dinokeng Game Reserve (DGR) as well as the Dinokeng Voluntary Rangers (DVR), in putting more boots on the ground to avoid unnecessary wildlife deaths due to poaching and snaring. Through the APU and voluntary rangers, thousands of snares were removed and loss of wildlife significantly reduced compared to prior years.
Funding enabled rangers to complete full business firearm competency training and qualifications and expand APU presence on horseback and through K9 programmes. Hot spot areas that are difficult to reach were also opened up with extra resources and staff were equipped with better gear and technology for more efficient anti-poaching services.
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*Dinokeng APU Rangers removing snares during a patrol
*Infographic of wildlife/animals killed in DGR over the past two years
*Volunteers
the Dinokeng Voluntary Ranger Association
*Collaring a wild lioness
PROTECTING THE WILD LIONS OF NAMIBIA WITH THE NAMIBIAN LION TRUST
The Namibian Lion Trust has been working since 2020 to foster coexistence on communal and free-hold farmland in the Hobatare region of Namibia near Etosha Their incredible programs engage multiple approaches to address the challenges of this area: The lion research & monitoring program employs GPS collars and camera traps to track lion demographics and movements, providing real-time data to map their ranges. The humanwildlife conflict mitigation & community support program enhances local acceptance and proactive management of wildlife through the Lion Guards, who use an early-warning system to mitigate conflicts by alerting farmers to lion movements. Additionally, conservation education aims to cultivate a conservation-minded generation, focusing on the youth and women, while addressing outdated agricultural practices through conservation agriculture, promoting mobile bomas and rotational grazing.
Outcomes include improved responsiveness and communication between farmers and Lion Guards, enhanced protection for livestock via mobile bomas, and more effective monitoring of lion movements due to an expanded deployment of GPS collars. The educational component has reinvigorated Wildlife Club activities in schools, sparking increased interest in wildlife conservation. The Namibian Lion Trust has been pivotal in preventing deaths of lions through pre-emptive means as well as preventing retaliatory actions from farmers who lose livestock to lion predation.
ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST
GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is a leading conservation organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and their habitats across Africa. EWT was selected as the first recipient of the Kevin Richardson Foundation’s public conservation grant, which is awarded to local non-profit organisations who aim to improve outcomes for wild lions.
The Greater Kruger National Park, long revered as a bastion for lions, faces a grim reality with lion populations plummeting due to targeted poisoning and snaring. These threats not only diminish lion numbers but also disrupt the broader ecological balance, affecting other species and scavengers such as the critically endangered vulture populations.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Project has been working for years to enhance ranger capabilities to effectively address these threats and to reduce wildlife fatalities through early detection and intervention.
Outcomes of the project have been promising and strategic plans for responding to poisoning and snaring events keep improving. All reserve rangers in hotspot areas have been trained in these strategies, bolstering their ability to preserve crime scenes and increase conviction rates. Additionally, the project has equipped the rangers with poison response kits and facilitated the tracking of lions and hyenas using satellite collars, providing valuable data on their movements and habitat preferences.
The implementation of this project has led to a reduction in the number of poisoning events, a decrease in wildlife mortalities, and an increase in the treatment of poisoned animals. The timely detection of poisoned carcasses has improved, reducing secondary mortalities and ensuring better scene management for law enforcement. Furthermore, at least 1,500 snares are removed from the reserve throughout the duration of the project.
The Foundation is proud to support this team who confronts the harsh reality facing South Africa’s wild lions on a daily basis.
2. WILDLIFE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION
In April 2021, the Dinokeng Rangers announced the birth of five cheetah cubs to wild cheetah in the reserve. Tragically, the mother was found deceased in a poaching trap, leaving five small cubs just weeks old. The rangers rescued the cubs, entrusting them to wildlife veterinarian Dr. Peter Caldwell for immediate care. Facing the challenge of nurturing these cubs, the Foundation stepped in to oversee their upbringing and fund their care until they could be reintroduced to the wild.
Our supporters jumped on board and contributed to their care and keenly followed their rehabilitation and rewilding journey.
A few months after arriving at the sanctuary, the cubs were joined by three additional cubs orphaned through natural predation. Fondly named ‘the Miracle Eight,’ these cubs thrived under the Foundation’s guidance, learning essential survival skills within a controlled 120-hectare enclosure. By 18 months, they were proficient hunters, ready for a temporary release into Dinokeng to refine their abilities. Successfully passing this phase, they were then distributed across three different reserves in December 2022 to support genetic diversity and conservation efforts.
This initiative is part of the broader Cheetah Metapopulation Project, which aims to prevent inbreeding and bolster the longterm survival of the cheetah population. The success of the Miracle Eight exemplifies the potential of collaborative conservation efforts.
THE STORY OF THE MIRACLE 8 CHEETAH CUBS
3. EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT
BIG 5 SCHOOLS COLLECTIVE
The socio-economic inequality in South Africa shows up starkly for those living in Hammanskraal, and other communities based on the outskirts of game reserves. Hammanskraal lacks a lot of basic infrastructure and has high unemployment rates, making poaching and illegal firewood cutting appealing means of survival. Most rural communities such as this survive at a subsistence level, whilst foreigners enjoy luxury safari experiences around them. 99.9% of South Africans living on the outskirts of game reserves, will never set foot inside one. The gap in access to such experiences results in community members lacking exposure to wildlife, and the value and role it can play in providing job opportunities and enriching lives. This gap is what often leads to poaching and human-wildlife conflict. The Big 5 Schools Collective aims to tackle this by bringing nature-based learnings into early childhood development (ECD) centers and creches in Kekana Gardens, Hammanskraal, adjacent to the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve.
In 2022 and 2023 the Foundation expanded the Big 5 Schools program to reach 800 children, culminating in an impactful end-of-year function. The Big 5 Schools Collective delivers wildlife education with activities such as storytelling, shadow puppets, masks and animal sounds, and provides the opportunity to go into the game reserve for a safari and see the animals that they have been learning about first-hand. The children also receive lunch and a teddy bear hand-sewn by local grannies providing much needed income for the elderly in the area. We are proud of this program and look forward to expanding our outreach to high school learners.
4. COLLABORATION AND CROSS-SECTOR SUPPORT
ACADEMIC RESEARCH
In the past two years the Foundation continued to support the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research in providing funds to complete a few studies aimed at improving the welfare and outcomes for hyenas and wild lions during immobilisation for translocation or veterinary treatment by assessing the effects of current and new drug combinations.
*Photo courtesy of Rodney Nombekana
DIRECTORS:
Edwina Thring, Caroline Edmonds, Kevin Richardson, Etienne Toerien
AUDIT PREPARED BY:
Mzansi Accountants & Associates
Independent auditors: C&S Chartered Accountants
Chartered Accountants (SA) Registered Auditor
The Kevin Richardson Foundation NPC (Registration number: 2004/015375/08)
Photography Courtesy of: Rodney Nombekana, Jackie Governeur nee Badenhorst, Namibian Lion Trust, Lebogang Reward Shadung, University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Caroline Edmonds, Kevin Richardson
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