The fight against canned hunting of captive bred Lions has been going on for years. We encourage everyone to watch the Blood Lions documentary and be aware of signs of unethical wildlife volunteer projects.
Once the big cats are removed from dangerous circumstances, where exactly do you go with them? It’s not like you can keep a few Lions in your back yard (even though many foreign visitors expect this is the norm in South Africa, sorry guys, this is not what happens in our suburbs)
The Lion and Big Cat Sanctuary close to Stanford, Western Cape, South Africa is a safe haven for mainly lions, leopards, tigers and jaguars where they can live enriched lives while some amazing people look after them. This project is an ethical and environmentally friendly sanctuary.
The project also offers an educational program for both visitors and international volunteers which helps to creates awareness for the conservation of these threatened and endangered species.
The Lion and Big Cat Sanctuary believes in the connection between both environmental and wildlife conservation and aims to become the first “green” Big Cats sanctuary in South Africa and run solely on solar energy.
As a volunteer at this project you will have the opportunity to participate in the following:
- Caring for the predators
- Enrichment program
- Preparation of food and feeding (please keep in mind these predators eat raw meat)
- Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
- General farm work
- Educating visitors
Daily Activities
This project will offer you the unique opportunity to be involved behind the scenes of the Sanctuary and how to care for its animals – daily tasks can include:
- Caring for the amazing big cats
- Enrichment program
- Preparation of food and feeding
- Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
- General farm work
- Educating visitors
Please note that as a Sanctuary we do not allow animal petting and close interaction with our cats, so please do not expect to play with them and pet them. Any project that does allow that kind of interaction cannot be regarded as a true Sanctuary.
Working Days & Hours
This really depends on the weather and the season of the year. Summer days can be very hot so working hours will be adjusted. In general expect to work 5 days a week for 6-8 hours a day with weekends being free to explore the surroundings.
Daily Guidance
Guidance will be offered by experienced coordinators that will supervise your daily work. Under no circumstance will you be allowed to work with any of the cats alone or without proper supervision. Days will be scheduled with different activities every day.
Other Volunteers
You most likely won’t be alone when volunteering at the Sanctuary and meet both local as international volunteers. We get volunteers from all over the world, from the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK and many other countries.
