Wildfires at Panthera Africa – We Urgently Need Your Support
On 8 January 2026, a devastating wildfire destroyed large parts of Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford, Western Cape, South Africa. The damage to our facilities is extensive. Several big cat camps and key infrastructure have been destroyed, including our electrical fencing, leaving us heartbroken.
Thankfully, our amazing team was able to keep all 26 of our animals safe and successfully moved those directly under threat from the fires to safety. Most of our animals came through without critical injuries.
Sadly, despite all our efforts, our beloved tiger, Rays, did not survive. The combination of massive smoke inhalation and the darting caused severe lung oedema and cardio-respiratory compromise. He went into a coma and passed away peacefully on Saturday, 10 January. There are no words to capture the grief we all feel.
Rays was a true fighter, radiating an inner strength and calm that touched everyone who met him. Even in his absence, we feel him urging us to stay strong and carry on – a gift he brought to our pride every single day.
Panthera Africa is an internationally recognized, award-winning, non-profit big cat sanctuary in the Western Cape, South Africa. Home to 30 rescued lions, tigers, leopards, caracals, servals and others, the sanctuary provides a lifelong, ethical haven free from breeding, trading, or interaction.
Founded by Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist, Panthera Africa was born from their eye-opening experience in the exploitative big cat tourism industry. Determined to create change, they established a sanctuary where big cats receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve, while also educating the public on the realities of captive wildlife.
Through educational visits, ethical tourism initiatives, and collaborations with global conservation leaders, Panthera Africa is pioneering responsible big cat welfare. The sanctuary has received multiple international awards, including TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards, and the WTM Responsible Tourism Award.
At Panthera Africa, we believe awareness leads to change. Our mission is to inspire responsible tourism and advocate for the ethical treatment of captive big cats, ensuring a future where exploitation is fully eliminated.
Watch the arrival of the big cats at Panthera Africa:
Find out more at pantheraafrica.com
Empowers Africa has partnered with Panthera Africa in order to provide a cost-effective solution to fundraising in the United States by acting as their fiscal sponsor. Any donations made here will be granted to Panthera Africa.
Empowers Africa uses Stripe to process credit card donations. Stripe has very stringent security rules which may lead to declined credit card transactions. If you are experiencing trouble processing your donation, kindly contact Nadia Derelieva at (917) 328-1611 or via email: nadia@empowersafrica.org
Emergency Appeal: Panthera Africa Wildfires
Emergency Wildfire Appeal
Today, our priority is raising the significant funds needed to cover the costs related to this disaster. This includes essential firefighting support, emergency veterinary treatment and preparations to relocate our big cats to other sanctuaries across South Africa for their safety.
All our cats are currently receiving excellent care, and most are doing well. Unfortunately, some are still being treated for severe burn-related injuries. A few are taking a little longer to settle, which is completely understandable given the trauma and confusion they have experienced.
On 8 January, we also lost our main sources of income: our volunteer program, educational visits and curio shop merchandise sales. We desperately need funds to provide ongoing care for the smaller animals that remain with us, as well as to cover our ongoing expenses and support our dedicated team for what is, at this time, an uncertain period.
Our Panthera Africa team is essential to the daily care of the animals and the sanctuary, and they are truly part of our pride, which is now heartbreakingly split.
The full extent of the damage and costs will only be known once it is safe to properly assess the situation, which will take time, especially as flare-ups of fires continue in the area. Our team remains on fire alert and has not stopped putting out fires and caring for the animals since disaster struck our sanctuary. Any additional funds raised will be allocated towards recovery and rebuilding efforts once we determine our next steps, with the entire team playing a vital role in every stage of the process.
So many concerned supporters have asked HOW they can help, and for this, we are beyond grateful.
We humbly ask anyone who can help to please donate. This is the most immediate way to help, and every donation, no matter the amount, will directly support our team in their nonstop work to manage this critical situation and keep us going at a time when we feel broken, frightened and overwhelmed.
Panthera Africa Campaigns
Help Feed Us
Every month, we invest R300,000 to feed our pride—covering not only high-quality, species-appropriate meat and essential supplements, but also the associated staff time, preparation, storage and distribution. This translates to an annual feeding budget of R3.6 million, a critical but non-negotiable investment in the health, happiness and care of our animals.
Your generosity helps us provide our animals with the nourishment they need to live fulfilling lives in a safe and ethical sanctuary. By contributing, you become an essential part of their well-being, directly impacting their health and longevity.
Care Now
Ensuring the health and longevity of Panthera Africa’s pride requires continuous veterinary care, essential medications, and critical supplies. Each big cat in our sanctuary relies on regular medical treatments, vitamins, and specialized care to maintain optimal well-being.
From preventive treatments like dewormers and fly repellents to vital medications such as pain relief, antibiotics, and immune-boosting supplements, every aspect of their healthcare is meticulously managed. These treatments help our animals thrive, recover from past traumas, and enjoy the highest standard of welfare.
However, medical emergencies can arise unexpectedly, requiring urgent veterinary intervention, surgeries, or specialized treatments. These unforeseen situations often come with significant costs, and we must frequently fundraise to cover these expenses. Ensuring we have emergency funds readily available is critical to providing immediate care when our animals need it most.
General Donation
If you do not have any specific project in mind and wish the organization to use their own discretion.
Donations can also be made by check or wire transfer:
Checks should be made out to “Empowers Africa” and should be mailed to:
Empowers Africa
2 Beekman Place, Ste. 18B
New York, NY 10022
www.empowersafrica.org
(917) 328-1611
Kindly note in the memo section of the check that funds are for Panthera Africa. Or email us at info@empowersafrica.org.
For wire transfer details or more information, please email us at info@empowersafrica.org.
Empowers Africa has been approved as a U.S. public charity, contributions to which are tax deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 501(c)(3) [EIN: 32-0403737] of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Thank you for your support!