Koning Leeu, Neptune (4½), die yslike wit maanhaar leeumannetjie, is maar een van die sowat 9 groot katte wat by Panthera Africa, op Gansbaai se voorstoep, versorg word, asook 3 jakkalse en 3 rooikatte. Wat so besonders is, is dat elkeen ‘n naam het en daarop reageer wanneer hulle passievolle eienaars, Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist met hulle praat.  

Die diere wat tans onder versorging daar is, se tuistes is ruim omheinde kampe en daar is nie sprake van “opgekluister” in hokke nie. Die gedagte van ‘n hawe vir wilde katte wat reeds in gevangenes is, het reeds in Oktober 2013 by Lizaene en Cathrine posgevat. Gedurende Maart 2014 het hulle die plaas (40 hektaar) buite Stanford hoofsaaklik met eie fondse, huisverbande en banklenings gekoop. In Julie 2014 het hulle ingetrek en in September 2014 is die eerste paal geplant, met hulle droom wat gedurende die eerste week van Januarie 2015 verwesentlik is. Die plek is gedurende die Paasnaweek amptelik geopen. Vooraf besprekings vir toere is ‘n vereiste en ‘n maksimum van 15 persone per toer word toegelaat. Opvoedkundige toere word vanaf Woensdae tot Maandae (Dinsdae gesluit) om 10:00 en 15:00 aangebied. Kostes beloop R190 per volwassene en R120 per kind onder 13 jaar. 

About Panthera Africa

Panthera Africa is a non-profit company founded by Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist. The name Panthera Africa is inspired by the passion Lizaene and Cathrine have for the four pantheras: panthera leo, the lion; panthera pardus, the leopard; panthera tigris, the tiger; panthera onca, the jaguar.

Panthera Africa is an environmentally friendly sanctuary for any captive bred big cats where they will be protected and prosper for the rest of their lives, without any trading or breeding taking place. Panthera Africa has found its 40 hectare paradise in Stanford, South Africa, with a beautiful home for rescued big cats. One of Panthera Africa’s the most important objectives is to be an educational platform for creating awareness of the conditions big cats face in captivity worldwide, both in zoos, circuses and the South African canned hunting industry. The most powerful tool in the world is knowledge, so through educational visits, corporate team building and presentations, Panthera Africa aims to enhance the understanding of the big cats’ critical situation. With the public eye focusing heavily on animal welfare, and new laws being implemented against animal cruelty, the immediate need for sanctuaries like Panthera Africa is prominent. By working closely with large organisations, Panthera Africa will be a safe haven for the big cats in need of rescue, where they can prosper and have the best captive lives possible under the African sun. Panthera Africa believes in the connection between environmental and wildlife conservation, and aims to become the first “green” sanctuary in South Africa, and run solely on solar energy. 

Die roete na Panthera Africa vanaf Gansbaai: regs by Stanford op die R326, ry 4km en draai regs by die Papiesvlei-grondpad, ry 1.3km en draai regs by Panthera Africa se kenteken, dan 1.3km verby ‘n plaashuis tot by die eindpunt, waar daar gerieflike parkeerruimte is. Die bedryf van die bewaringsoord is hoofsaaklik van toegangsgelde, borgskappe en donasies afhanklik. Boere in die omgewing kan hulle gerus kontak wanneer daar ‘n siek plaasdier is wat van kant gemaak moet word. Die dames sal sodanige karkasse self gaan oplaai, ongeag waar dit is.

Panthera Africa se webtuiste is www.pantheraafrica.com en hulle kontakbesonderhede is 076-974-3088 of 084-866-2665, of stuur ‘n e-pos aan hulle by info@pantheraafrica.com.                                   

Hardus Botha

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