Chaka, Karlos and Ivana are home at Panthera Africa

Three lions return to our sanctuary near Stanford after more than eight months away

STANFORD, WESTERN CAPE, September 2026: Chaka, Karlos and Ivana are home! More than eight months after a wildfire forced us to evacuate all of our big cats, the three lions have returned to Panthera Africa. Our team has missed their roars, their quirks and the everyday moments that come with caring for them. They are settling in with the caregivers who know them so well.

The fast-moving wildfire swept through our sanctuary and the surrounding community on 8 January 2026, damaging enclosures and essential infrastructure. Our tigress, Arabella, and lioness, Baguira, sustained serious burns. They spent months receiving specialist veterinary care from Dr Peter Caldwell and the Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic team in Pretoria while we waited for the day they could come home. Both are back with us now, doing very well and continuing to receive the care they need. Sadly, our beloved tiger Rays passed due to the circumstances surrounding the wildfire. We miss him every day, and his spirit will always be part of our Pride.

When the fire struck, FOUR PAWS South Africa was among the partners who reached out to help us. Five of our lions were relocated to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, Free State, a FOUR PAWS sanctuary and permanent home to more than 80 rescued big cats. The phenomenal team there looked after them while we worked to make their homes safe again. Knowing they were in such good hands gave our team peace of mind.

Chaka, Karlos and Ivana have now returned. Our King Neptune and Oliver remain at LIONSROCK until their specialised night houses and camps are ready. Oliver is one of Panthera Africa’s founding animals and one of the reasons our sanctuary exists. We look forward to bringing them both home too.

With help from our community and dedicated volunteers, our team has spent months clearing fire-damaged land and structures. Donations have helped us repair essential infrastructure and begin rebuilding specialised night houses. Throughout it all, we have continued caring for the other animals at Panthera Africa.

Chaka was confiscated as a cub after being kept illegally as a family pet. He later lived at a zoo before coming to Panthera Africa in 2017.

Karlos and his sister Ivana were rescued by the NSPCA in 2019 after being found close to death at a breeding farm linked to the lion bone trade. They received months of intensive veterinary care before finding a permanent home with us. The effects of their early neglect mean they still need daily supplements, enrichment and close monitoring. Karlos is a calm, protective big brother and Ivana is his spirited sister who adores him.

Karlos and Ivana are back in the camp they shared before the fire, with a few changes to better support their specialist lifelong care. Chaka is in a newly prepared camp beside Baguira, with whom he has always shared a close bond. Our sanctuary and some of their camps may look different, but the people caring for them are familiar faces and voices. Chaka and Karlos have already started roaring again. Ivana is taking a little longer to settle, so we are giving each lion the time and space they need.

Eight of our big cats are still with partners around South Africa. Along with Neptune and Oliver at LIONSROCK, our spotted leopard Gabriel and black leopard Pardus are at Ashia Cheetah Conservation in Paarl. Elsa and Lei-ah are at ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in the Free State, while Jade and Zakara are at The Lions Foundation in Bela-Bela. We hope to bring them all home before the end of 2026, once their specialised night houses and camps are ready and they can travel safely.

Panthera Africa is an ethical sanctuary near Stanford. We give rescued captive-bred big cats a permanent home and the specialist care they need for life. Because they were born in captivity, they cannot be released into the wild. We do not breed or trade animals or allow hands-on public interaction. We also help people understand the harm caused by captive breeding and animal interaction tourism.

To everyone who has donated, volunteered, shared our story or sent us a message: thank you! You’ve helped us continue caring for our animals and bring three of them home. We’re also grateful to every partner caring for our cats while we prepare for their return. A special thank you to Dr Peter Caldwell and the Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic in Pretoria for helping bring Chaka, Karlos and Ivana safely home!

Our sanctuary remains temporarily closed to visitors as we continue rebuilding. Learn more about us and how to become part of our Pride at pantheraafrica.com, or support our rebuild and the remaining homecomings at pantheraafrica.com/donate.

Media enquiries: Taryn (Taz) Slabbert, Head of Fundraising and Marketing
Phone: +27 76 746 7187
Email: marketing@pantheraafrica.com