STAY IN TOUCH WITH OUR BI-MONTHLY AFRICAT UK NEWSLETTER
AFRICAT UK UPDATES
A very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year
AfriCat UK Trustees would like to thank you all very much for your support over the last year. Together we have and can continue to make a difference to the people and wildlife of Namibia.
We are a small team, and the Trustees would like to thank all those who have given their time or helped this year, we are very grateful.
A special thank you to the staff and visitors of Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling in Scotland for once again choosing to support the Namibian Lion Trust as a part of their Link to the Wild programme. Lions in the snow is not the norm for Africa! Do visit when you are next in the area.
With all that is happening in the world today working together and in harmony with nature has never felt more vital or more necessary.
World Rhino Day is a day of awareness for all five rhino species and the work being done to save them by rhino experts and advocates around the world.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to a small number of White Rhino, which are a treat to see in their natural habitat. Those staying at Okonjima can arrange to visit them, in certain circumstances this may be on foot.
White Rhinos are struggling as they continue to be poached for their horn, which is nothing more than what your nails are made of. Really sadly some people still hold onto a belief that it has healing properties – it does not. As the horn has value on the black market these magnificent creatures are still slaughtered and worse still have their horns cut off with chain saws and then left to die.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
AfriCat UK Trustees would like to thank you all very much for your support over the last year. Together we have and can continue to make a difference to the people and wildlife of Namibia.
We are a small team, and the Trustees would like to thank all those who have given their time or helped this year, we are very grateful.
A special thank you to the staff and visitors of Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling in Scotland for once again choosing to support the Namibian Lion Trust as a part of their Link to the Wild programme. Lions in the snow is not the norm for Africa! Do visit when you are next in the area.
With all that is happening in the world today working together and in harmony with nature has never felt more vital or more necessary.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is a remarkable place as many of you will testify, providing an island home to many varied species of flora and fauna and unrecognisable from that it was 30 years ago. The research effort continues, and past work is valved by others working in the field.
The sheer hard work and persistence of the Lion Guards of the Namibian Lion Trust has been and will continue to be exemplary. Through their efforts (and other members of the wider Lion Ranger programme) lions in the NW of Namibia are being given chance to live alongside the hard-pressed farmers. They both face multiple challenges not least of which is changing climate patterns. Working together its possible to mitigate conflict for both lion and farmer, benefitting all.
Let us hope that 2025 can be a positive turning point for all who call planet earth home.
Keen to support us and looking for a different, sustainable or nature related gift? Then please check out our various goods for sale be they Chris Packham prints, special T shirts from a London fashion designer with a rock’n’roll twist or a range of products from AfriCat UK’s very own online shop all made in the UK and with a strong sustainable credentials.
Merry Christmas and thank you from AfriCat UK.
Namibian Lion Trust T-shirts designed by Leading London Fashion Designer, Daniel James
The Namibian Lion Trust are super-excited to announce a ground-breaking initiative in wildlife conservation.
Today we are launching a unique range of specialist designer clothing based on the fusion of the core values of Fashion, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Conservation, and designed from the outset in support of the Namibian Lion Trust.
Leading London Fashion Designer, Daniel James, has very kindly designed a unique range of clothing incorporating specialist features that combine style with practicality, functionality with flair.
All profits/proceeds come directly to us at the Namibian Lion Trust.
Namibian Lion Trust T-shirts designed by Leading London Fashion Designer, Daniel James
The Namibian Lion Trust are super-excited to announce a ground-breaking initiative in wildlife conservation.
Today we are launching a unique range of specialist designer clothing based on the fusion of the core values of Fashion, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Conservation, and designed from the outset in support of the Namibian Lion Trust.
Leading London Fashion Designer, Daniel James, has very kindly designed a unique range of clothing incorporating specialist features that combine style with practicality, functionality with flair.
All profits/proceeds come directly to us at the Namibian Lion Trust.
World Rhino Day is a day of awareness for all five rhino species and the work being done to save them by rhino experts and advocates around the world.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to a small number of White Rhino, which are a treat to see in their natural habitat. Those staying at Okonjima can arrange to visit them, in certain circumstances this may be on foot.
White Rhinos are struggling as they continue to be poached for their horn, which is nothing more than what your nails are made of. Really sadly some people still hold onto a belief that it has healing properties – it does not. As the horn has value on the black market these magnificent creatures are still slaughtered and worse still have their horns cut off with chain saws and then left to die.
One of Daniel’s many celebrity clients is Ronnie Woods of the Rolling Stones! Daniel designs all of Ronnie’s stage outfits and Ronnie has very kindly donated one of his specially-commissioned Lion artworks to be printed on a one-off T-shirt for our unique use. – All proceeds come directly to us at the Namibian Lion Trust.
Ronnie has been supporting conservation efforts for many years and we are very grateful for his support with this project.
With Christmas around the corner one of these specially designed t-shirts or sweatshirts would make a lovely present.
Please follow the link below to go directly to Daniels James’s website to see the whole collection he has designed alongside, as well as the very special Ronnie Woods Lion artwork T-shirt or use the QR code.
Shop now and support the work of the Namibian Lion Trust
For more information about The Namibian Lion Trust please visit their website.
Cut off date for guaranteed delivery of clothing is the 12th of December for Christmas orders.
INTERNATIONAL CHEETAH DAY, 4th December 2024
International Cheetah Day, celebrated on the 4th December, is dedicated to raising awareness about the endangered cheetah, the fastest land animal in the world. With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, conservation efforts are vital to ensure their survival. Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching have significantly reduced their populations, and International Cheetah Day serves as a reminder that action is needed to protect these magnificent creatures.
The AfriCat Foundation in Namibia was established to contribute to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s wildlife. Its prime aim initially was to help to keep the big cats running wild and free. Indeed, for many years it was possible to get close to the ex-captive cheetah being returned to the wild in the Okonjima Nature Reserve, a rare and special experience. However, the developing island reserve within its increasing density of leopards and the rare brown hyenas restricted the cheetah’s ability to thrive within this habitat.
International Cheetah Day
International Cheetah Day, celebrated on the 4th December, is dedicated to raising awareness about the endangered cheetah, the fastest land animal in the world. With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, conservation efforts are vital to ensure their survival. Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching have significantly reduced their populations, and International Cheetah Day serves as a reminder that action is needed to protect these magnificent creatures.
The AfriCat Foundation in Namibia was established to contribute to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s wildlife. Its prime aim initially was to help to keep the big cats running wild and free. Indeed, for many years it was possible to get close to the ex-captive cheetah being returned to the wild in the Okonjima Nature Reserve, a rare and special experience. However, the developing island reserve within its increasing density of leopards and the rare brown hyenas restricted the cheetah’s ability to thrive within this habitat.
World Rhino Day is a day of awareness for all five rhino species and the work being done to save them by rhino experts and advocates around the world.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to a small number of White Rhino, which are a treat to see in their natural habitat. Those staying at Okonjima can arrange to visit them, in certain circumstances this may be on foot.
White Rhinos are struggling as they continue to be poached for their horn, which is nothing more than what your nails are made of. Really sadly some people still hold onto a belief that it has healing properties – it does not. As the horn has value on the black market these magnificent creatures are still slaughtered and worse still have their horns cut off with chain saws and then left to die.
As the Okonjima Nature Reserve has matured new challenges present themselves, research work too has changed with increased use of technology such as camera traps and small gps trackers making possible studies of hither too difficult studies to do like with nocturnal animals. Current research work at the AfriCat Foundation is focused on leopards and brown hyena and other endangered species such as the pangolin.
Namibia is home to a very large portion (figures vary) of the African, indeed world population, of cheetah up to 40%. Many are living on farms and even in remote desert areas where, with a sufficient prey base, they find the land they need. As with so much in nature ‘balance’ is important.
Cheetah are wary and need to be as lions leopards and hyenas will try to steal their hard caught meals. Cheetah cubs learn from their Mum with whom they usually stay until around 18 months old that it’s best to eat fast, keep a look out and be prepared to give up a kill rather than run the risk of being injured.
Supporting International Cheetah Day is important for AfriCat UK as cheetah have evolved to play their part in a healthy and robust African bush that supports a biodiverse range of wildlife.
AfriCat UK Distribution of Funds to AfriCat Foundation and The Namibian Lion Trust
Thank you all so much for your kind support through our shop and easyfundraising which together with donations and a legacy that has meant we have been able to send to Namibia much needed funds.
Below gives you an idea of how the teams in Namibia plan to spend the money. Your continuous support is very much appreciated and valued by all concerned
Namibian Lion Trust
Namibian Lion Trust working with local communities in Northwest Namibia is reducing human wildlife conflict using a variety of strategies. The funds donated to the Namibian Lion Trust by AfriCat UK are earmarked for the following. However, should an urgent unexpected need
arise some of the funds may be redirected.
1. Wildlife Conflict Mitigation workshops – a key thread through much of the Lion Guards work links to education in its broad sense. This could be helping farmers understand how to adapt their farming practices to reduce the risk of lion predation, such as encouraging the use of kraals, where livestock can be protected at night, and by providing practical help and support especially at times of need.
Some of the funds donated are planned to be used to run Wildlife Conflict Mitigation workshops in the different community lands. These events bring the farmers together, share experiences and explain the range of tools and strategies that can be beneficial. As a group the breadth of knowledge, interest and expertise can be shared which is likely to enhance learning. The Lion Guards as farmers themselves have real life experiences to draw on. Money is needed for transport, resources and equipment to run these events.
2. Wildlife Clubs and Activities – the young famers of tomorrow are the school children of today! The Nambian Lion Trust are keen to work with the children and young people in their communities. The children’s walk to school generally takes them through
the bush and some children will when not in school, work as herdsmen spending the day with the livestock.
The Wildlife clubs run by the Lion Guards are enjoyed by the young people and fun. Days are arranged around specific projects or activities. These events can provide useful opportunities for demonstrating adaptations that prove to be beneficial in living with predators and other animals like elephants. Some of the funds donated will go towards enabling these clubs to continue, develop and flourish. The money is needed for things like transport, food, equipment, and the practical resources. It also means that the Lion Guard can get paid a little for their additional hours.
3. Electricity Needs – living in remote areas in the African bush generally means there is no easy access to electricity at home to charge phones or other key tools.
Much of the equipment used when out patrolling like tablets, phones and torches need to be charged up at regular intervals.
Some funds are planned to buy a solar system that can be accessed to charge all the kit.
4. Patrol Fly Camps – on some occasions like when attempting to collar a lion or visiting a remote area its not safe or possible to get home every night. Lion Guards need to have access to the necessary equipment for Fly-camping. This would include things like tents, fly sheets, blankets, cooking basics, water bottles and the like. In addition, food is needed and this will need to be ‘suitable for the conditions’.
The Namibian Lion Trust is looking to ensure it has sufficient basic equipment for its Lion Guards so that they are safe and fed while out on patrol working for the good of the community. The equipment can take quite a battering in the harsh conditions.
The AfriCat Foundation
The AfriCat Foundation plan to use the money you have helped to raise to buy gps and vhf tags/collars to support the current tracking and research work with the Brown Hyena, Pangolins and Leopards and in the Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Okonjima Nature Reserve was created to ‘take back’ habitat for wildlife. It was ‘rewilded’ from four former cattle farms. When cattle farming, ‘removing’ predators that killed your cattle was considered ‘reasonable’ as was shooting other game that competed for the grazing needed by the cattle. The land become degraded, in part due to a lack of species diversity and the impact of overgrazing – a familiar story in the UK.
In the 1990’s the decision was taken to stop cattle farming and create a wildlife habitat. The plan was to seek out ways to improve the grassland and to reintroduce species that had been lost and which would enhance the developing ecosystem. The scrub and bush had taken over as there had been little ‘eating’ it so a major project was started to clear areas and create more open ‘savannah type’ landscapes which would suit the cheetah and leopard that lived on the land.
A decision to build a predator proof fence around the reserve was not taken lightly, creating what is in effect an Island Reserve. Like other quality rewilding projects, the wildlife, given the right conditions, and a fair wind does come back! (However, fencing the 22,000 hectares has created its own issues and challenges, for example with higher-than-average densities now of both leopard and the rare brown hyena within the reserve, the cheetah have been found to struggle. The reason – both leopard and brown hyenas steal their hard-won meals.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is testimony to a vision of the future held by the Hanssen family, driven in large part by Wayne, through a close collaboration of the Okonjima Lodge and The AfriCat Foundation. This video clip give you more insight into the reserve’s development. It was put together in 2020 and reflects the history of the reserve plus the issues at that time.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve currently is managed by The AfriCat Foundation with its research focusing on the challenges and issues of managing an island reserve, which it is hoped will benefit other conservation projects and reserves facing similar issues.
1. As many of you will no doubt be aware The AfriCat Foundation has been studying leopards since their inception at the start of the 1990’s. A whole range of data and information gathered that has given new insights into the secretive lives of these charismatic cats.
Studies have shown, for example, that the leopard density in The Okonjima Nature Reserve is higher than average and with the prey base abundant the leopard have smaller than ‘average’ territories.
The collars allow the leopards to be ‘tracked’ giving guests a special treat of seeing these wonderful cats at close quarters. Individual leopards growing up with vehicles are familiar with them and have been known to use them as ‘cover’ when stalking their prey!
2. Brown Hyena are very different from their spotted cousins and when studies started on them in the reserve very little was known about their behaviour.
The research team learnt a lot very quickly including effective ways to collar then with minimal stress. Collaring is not without risk but is done to help the conservation and research effort. This video clip gives you a flavour!
Collaring does have the added bonus of being able to track individuals on a vehicle giving a greater chance of seeing these animals. Over time the brown hyenas have become more familiar with vehicles meaning they are less inclined to run and so are seen on nature drives.
3. The most trafficked mammal on the planet is considered to be the pangolin. There are 8 different species in the world with four varieties in Africa and the other four in Asia. The ground pangolin a wonderful and very rarely seen animal has been found on The Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Research work began in 2019 but was impacted by the covid pandemic. As visitors returned it was possible to build back some research work. This included collaring some pangolin using
tags on their scales. Guests staying at Okonjima lodge can, as conditions allow and as an additional special activity, track one of the collared pangolins with a guide or member of the research team.
This image was taken of a very special pangolin called Tracks. He chose to forage for food in the early morning making it a magical experience. Sadly, Tracks is no more.
Reports on all the research work undertaken are available on the AfriCat Foundation website.
A drive in The Okonjima Nature Reserve may provide wonderful magical encounters of leopard and Brown Hyena interaction and the outside chance of seeing a pangolin.
Your kind donations, with purchases from the AfriCat shop and through easyfundraising (gives us funding at no cost to you) are all enabling AfriCat UK to continue to help The AfriCat Foundation with their work in understanding the best way to help these animals live out their natural lives in an island reserve and the work done by the amazing Lion Guards of The Namibian Lion Trust.
Do not forget you can purchase some stunning images taken by Chris Packham at Okonjima: link is here , they make excellent Christmas gifts.
We would love to hear from you if you have some fundraising ideas
Thank you for your support it means so much to us and more importantly allows the work in Namibia to continue.
AfriCat UK
The AfriCat UK Board.
The three current Trustees of AfriCat UK are Frank Horan as Chairman, Charlotte Shipton and Janet Widdows. In addition, we have keen supporters of the work in Namibia who assist the Board with various tasks and our longstanding Patrons and Ambassadors. The Board is keen to hear from anyone who would like to help with fundraising, tasks associated with running the charity or those willing to join the Board.
Any offers of help are most welcome, please contact either Frank or Janet or Charlotte
AfriCat UK’s Vision
To contribute towards the conservation efforts of the Namibian charities who work to conserve suitable habitat and environments where carnivores and endangered species can thrive and survive. This work will involve education, research and working with local communities.
Misson Statement
To promote the need for conservation of the natural world for all in Namibia. To work with local charities supporting their projects and initiatives. This will include but not be limited too, awareness raising of issues in the UK, Namibia and the wider world; supporting local educational initiatives; fundraising; promoting visits to the region and Okonjima; encouraging and sharing relevant research work; working to reduce human wildlife conflict and to involve local communities with all relevant activities.
Contacting AfriCat UK
correspondence address: 5 Brackendale Way, Reading, Berkshire RG6 1DZ
phone: landline 0118 935 1681 (please leave a message if no reply)
email address: support@africat.co.uk has replaced info-uk@africat.org but anything sent to the old email is being forwarded and we will reply.
AfriCat UK board members can be contacted with their first name followed by @africat.co.uk
website: www.africat.co.uk
AfriCat - Behind the Scenes
The AfriCat Foundation welcomes Okonjima guests to come behind the scenes to learn first-hand about the work of the Foundation.
The AfriCat Behind The Scenes programme is available for groups of guests between 4 to 8 pax booked into the Okonjima Bush Camp or Luxury Villa for at least three nights on a fully inclusive basis.
This experience will give you a deeper insight into our research projects, such as the Brown Hyaena, Pangolin, the Leopard and other endangered species. Guests will be able to see and participate in AfriCat work that can be scheduled for the time of the visit such as re-collaring as well as the option of meeting the “AfriCat ambassador carnivores” that are in the care of AfriCat.
For more information please visit: AfriCat Behind the Scenes
Since 2014, AfriCat UK (UK Charity Commission Number 1120026) has supported The AfriCat Foundation and The Namibian Lion Trust (Formerly AfriCat North). AfriCat UK raises funds for the various programs that have been developed by the Namibian charities to assist in research of key species, research of solutions to Human Wildlife Conflict, and the education of local communities in Namibia.
We have successfully funded research that has assisted in the better understanding of the Cheetah, Pangolin, Leopard, Lion, and Hyenas. AfriCat UK have funded the building of a school for local communities to improve the link in conservation and education for future generations. Many world renowned veterinary clinicians have based their research and resultant doctorates on the animals and facilities that can be found at the two charities in Namibia that we continue to fund. The importance of this research allows for wide-spread conservation initiatives that impact species globally.