The AfriCat Foundation

The AfriCat Foundation was founded in 1991 on Okonjima Farm in central Namibia. Their mission was to contribute to the long term protection and conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, particularly big cats.

There is constant conflict between the large carnivores of Namibia and farmers. Large cats have been known to wander into farmer’s land from protected wilderness areas and kill livestock. Since 1993, AfriCat has saved over 1080 large carnivores trapped on farm land and successfully released over 85% of them. Those animals that could not be released, such as if they were orphaned, weak, or old, are cared for in the AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre.

Over the years the AfriCat Foundation has worked to increase education and public support for the conservation of large carnivores as well as human wildlife conflict mitigation strategies. Conservation through education is a large part of their current program. As of 2010, Okonjima Nature Reserve was created as an area for “environmental education and the research and rehabilitation of captive carnivores”. Tourists can come visit the reserve and support the foundation’s work.

- Stephanie Sila