Wildfires at Panthera Africa – We Urgently Need Your Support
On 8 January 2026, an uncontrollable wildfire swept through Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford, South Africa, causing extensive damage. Several big cat camps and critical infrastructure were destroyed, including electrical and perimeter fencing and multiple animal enclosures.
Thanks to the courage and dedication of our team, all 26 of our animals were kept safe, with those in immediate danger successfully moved out of harm’s way. The majority of our animals escaped without critical injuries. At present, two of our cats, Arabella, a tigress, and Baguira, a lioness, remain in intensive veterinary care and require ongoing treatment.
Tragically, despite every effort and having been moved to safety in time, our beloved tiger, Rays, did not survive. Smoke inhalation combined with the darting led to lung oedema and cardio-respiratory compromise. He fell into a coma and passed away peacefully on Saturday, 10 January. His loss has been deeply felt by our entire team and the local community. There are no words to capture the depth of our grief.
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
The full impact of the fire is still being assessed as we await official wildfire reports and insurance assessments, a process that may take several more weeks. It is therefore too early to determine our next steps following this tragedy.
We are hoping for continued public support as, in addition to the physical damage caused by the wildfire, we have also lost our primary sources of income. At present, we are unable to host educational visits or run our volunteer programme, and we can no longer rely on income from our curio shop, which previously made up a significant portion of our monthly income.
We need help to cover:
- The costs associated with the disaster, which unfolded over several days. These include emergency firefighting response, urgent veterinary care and the evacuation of animals to ensure their safety. We are still in the process of fully assessing the total financial impact, and this will take more time.
- The ongoing recovery period, the duration of which remains uncertain. This includes the continued care of the seven animals currently at the sanctuary, as well as intensive veterinary treatment for our lioness, Baguira, and our tigress, Arabella, both of whom suffered severe injuries as a result of the wildfire. They are monitored daily by a specialised veterinarian, and this level of care may be required for weeks or even months. Public support is vital to sustaining this care.
- Funding to support our dedicated team, who are essential to the daily care of the animals and the running of the sanctuary, as well as to cover daily operational costs and respond to any unforeseen challenges or emergencies.
All our relocated animals are currently receiving excellent care, and most are adapting well. A few are taking longer to settle, which is completely understandable given the significant change they have experienced, but they are all in expert hands at partner sanctuaries around South Africa.
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!