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Newsletter update: AfriCat UK is aiming to resume publication of its newsletter during 2026. We are still keen to talk to anyone interested in helping or taking over its production (current delivery mechanism is Mailchimp) we would just love to hear from you, please get in touch with janet@africat.co.uk
International Leopard Day May 3rd 2026
Welcome to awareness days.
• The leopard Panthera pardus hardly needs an introduction! Join us on May 3rd to celebrate International Leopard Day and help save a spot for them in this rapidly changing world.
• They have many qualities and characteristics that help them to survive in the increasingly challenging world they now must inhabit.
• Indeed, leopards are the most versatile and adaptable of the ‘big cats’, both in terms of the habitat where they can survive and the prey species they consume.
• But despite this adaptability, leopards have lost 75% of their historical distribution.
International Leopard Day
May 3rd 2026
Welcome to awareness days.
• The leopard Panthera pardus hardly needs an introduction! Join us on May 3rd to celebrate International Leopard Day and help save a spot for them in this rapidly changing world.
• They have many qualities and characteristics that help them to survive in the increasingly challenging world they now must inhabit.
• Indeed, leopards are the most versatile and adaptable of the ‘big cats’, both in terms of the habitat where they can survive and the prey species they consume.
• But despite this adaptability, leopards have lost 75% of their historical distribution.
• As a species, the leopard is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and the current population trend is decreasing.
• Leopards are however not easily seen and are frequently described as elusive.
• Leopards are high on the list of species that want to be seen by travellers and visitors to the African bush. Okonjima, Home of the AfriCat Foundation, where leopards have been studied and some are collared is an excellent place to see one of these stunning magical animals.
• There are nine sub species of leopard, some of which are critically endangered. All have seen a reduction in habitat and persecution from humans. They are found in Africa and across Asia. The Remembering Leopards book is an excellent resource.
African Leopards are found in the Okonjima Nature Reserve the Home of the AfriCat Foundation in Namibia.
Leopards were the subject of some of the earliest research work undertaken by The AfriCat Foundation in the early 1990’s. The initial goal was to understand leopard behaviour so that strategies could be developed to run a successful cattle farm without losing calves to leopards or other predators.
In the last 20 years or so technology developments have transformed leopard and other field studies of animal behaviour. Now it’s possible, with the correct kit, to know where any leopard is by checking a smart phone.
Want to find out more? Then take a look here https://africat.org/leopard-research.
Fascinating, interactions and behaviours between the two species have been observed. Staying at Okonjima gives guests a chance of seeing leopard, some of whom are collared for research purposes, making them easier to find with correct skills and equipment.
Donate to support Leopard conservation at the AfriCat Foundation.
The AfriCat Foundation and Pangolins
The AfriCat Foundation in Namibia is one of a few special places you can visit and have a reasonable chance to see this rare, often nocturnal, and fascinating animal. Nothing in nature is ever guaranteed and tracking opportunities are limited to avoid disturbance.
Advances in gps trackers has made it possible to fit them to pangolins, who living in burrows, and are hard to track and find. Research over the last 5 years or so have uncovered so many new things about their life cycle which is helping the care and rehabilitation efforts.
It also provides clues to good management practices and ways of supporting a wild population. For example, raising the height from the ground of the lowest strand of wire of a predator proof electric fence reduces the fatalities and allows dispersal; useful for both genetic diversity and growing populations, but can lead to pangolins moving out of ‘safe’ reserves into farmland more accessible to the poachers.
You can read more about the research work at AfriCat on their website and make a donation to support the work through their support options page.
Chris Packham Patron of the AfriCat Foundation saw his first ever pangolin in the Okonjima Naure Reserve in 2011, watch Chris talking about it.
Key Facts about the Pangolins
It is a scaled mammal, toothless that lives underground.
It has a most amazing long tongue that starts in its tummy which it uses to suck up ants (and occasionally termites) on the sticky substance secreted onto the tongue as it passes a glad at the back of its throat.
Its defence mechanism is to roll tightly into a ball.
It lives in burrows and is now known to use temperature to decide when to leave the borrow to forage for food.
A visit to Okonjima can provide a rare and wonderful experience of ‘walking with a pangolin’. Learn more and watch this video.
Introducing Heather UJ Nependa MSc, Research Ecologist and Science Communications Officer with the AfriCat Foundation at The Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Heather first visited Okonjima while in primary school as part of the AfriCat Foundation outreach education programme. The experience shaped her academic and professional trajectory, and she resolved to pursue a career in conservation with the aim of one day working for AfriCat.
She subsequently completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Conservation Ecology and Entomology at the University of Stellenbosch. During her master’s research in 2018, she returned to Okonjima to undertake field sampling. In 2025 she rejoined on a part time basis and, from 2026, has been permanently employed at Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Her professional journey reflects the long-term value of conservation education initiatives. Support from AfriCat UK contributed to the outreach programme that first introduced her to Okonjima, demonstrating how sustained investment in environmental education can influence career pathways in conservation science.
Heather currently contributes to the AfriCat Pangolin Research Project and supports broader ecological research undertaken by the Foundation. She is also preparing an article provisionally titled “Decades of Return: Stories from Guests Who Have Walked with Okonjima and AfriCat for Over 10 Years”.
Chris Packham Tour
For AfriCat UK supporters in the UK our Patron Chris Packham is on tour with his new talk World of Wonder A plant on the Edge . Well worth exploring further!
Thank You Blair Drummond Safari Park for your support of the Namibian Lion Trust.
The keepers and staff of Blair Drummond Safari Park select charities to work with through their Link to the Wild programme. The team on site give talks and find other ways to engage members of the public about the plight of the rare and endangered animals they can see in the park.
The number of lions across Africa have plummeted. Habitat loss and fragmentation of their range means there are just half the lions roaming Africa than there were 30 years ago. In fact, there are now thought to be now more white and black rhinos than lions living wild in Africa.
For the Namibian Lion Trust Lion Guards every day is dedicated to working with lions and the local farmers with education, tracking and monitoring key elements. Celebrating World Lion Day provided a spotlight on their work and helps to educate people as to the issues lions and those living alongside them face.
AfriCat UK is very grateful to the Blair Drummond Safari Park for their work talking with their visitors explaining the issues lions face and for those who made donations vital to support the ongoing projects with children’s wildlife clubs undertaken by the Guards.
If you are passing the Safari Park or planning a trip to the Stirling area, then book a visit.
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.
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.
Thank you from the AfriCat UK Board
We have been delighted to see the funds coming in from a range of sources.
The AfriCat UK online shop has increased its range of goods and includes mugs, cards water bottles as well as a range of other items. It is worth checking out from time to time as things do get added. If there is something particular you are after, do email janet@africat.co.uk with the detail of what you would like and it may be possible to design it for you. Please allow plenty of time.
The new Namibian Lion Trust merchandise from London Fashion Designer Daniel James has been well received and sales have been steady especially in the run up to Christmas. They do make excellent presents for all ages.
Easyfundraising continues to be popular and is an excellent way to help AfriCat UK without costing you a penny, please spread the word and if you have not signed up yet please do. The shop you purchase the goods from give us a small percentage of the time cost.
We have been delighted to see that people have been making donations via Benevity which is a corporate platform that enables people across the world to donate to charities of their choice.
We are very grateful to be remembered by a recent friend of AfriCat UK in their will and will ensure their generosity is used to good advantage.
There is still a supply of prints taken by Chris Packham you can purchase.
Check out the details in the shop section of the website.
In 2025 we hope to expand and increase the ways people can support AfriCat UK and The Namibian Lion Trust. Any suggestions and ideas are most welcome.
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.