Our Story
About Us
The Pride
The Team
Vision, Mission & Values
"We should have respect for animals because it makes better human beings of us all."
- Jane Goodall -
Panthera Africa was inspired by a precious bond between two women and two lion brothers, Oliver and Obi.
Our co-founders, Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist, known as Liz and Cat, began their journey working with big cats at a project that allowed hands-on interaction. At the time, they believed that caring for these animals directly helped support big cat conservation.
It was there that the two ladies cared for Oliver and Obi as cubs and formed a strong bond with the two brothers. When the lion boys were old enough to be sent to a breeding farm, Liz and Cat continued to keep track of them. They later discovered that the brothers were competing with many other male lions, including older males, for food and were being kept in less than favourable conditions.
The reality of what Oliver and Obi were subjected to changed their understanding of the captive big cat industry and gave them a clear purpose: to create a sanctuary where rescued big cats could be free from exploitation! Determined to give Oliver and Obi a better and more enriched life, they envisioned a forever home where captive-bred big cats would receive lifelong care, protection and respect.
Panthera Africa was registered as a non-profit organisation and officially opened its doors to the public for educational visits in April 2015. Liz and Cat rescued Oliver and Obi and brought them home to Panthera Africa as two of our founding animals. The lion brothers, who had helped inspire their shared dream, could finally benefit from the specialised care and protection they so deserved.
Obi passed on 1 April 2023, after years of living a full and purposeful life at Panthera Africa. We remember him with love and gratitude for the part he played in inspiring an ethical sanctuary that has provided so many more animals with a forever home. His legacy continues to guide our work, shape our vision and strengthen our commitment to every animal placed in our care.
Our name reflects Liz and Cat’s shared passion for four species within the Panthera genus: Panthera leo, the lion; Panthera pardus, the leopard; Panthera onca, the jaguar and Panthera tigris, the tiger.
Panthera Africa is an environmentally friendly, ethical sanctuary for captive-bred big cats. Our 40-hectare home offers peaceful open spaces, beautiful vegetation, a natural spring and an incredible 180-degree mountain view. It is a safe and peaceful home for our animal and human pride and a welcoming place for the volunteers who join us.
Today, the promise that began with Oliver and Obi’s journey remains at the heart of everything we do. It is an honour to care for our pride, get to know their individual personalities and provide them with the lifelong care, protection and respect they deserve. We honour each animal by respecting their needs and choices. We are a true sanctuary, with no public hands-on interaction with our animals, no breeding of any species and no trading of animals.
Education is central to our work. By sharing our animals’ stories and raising awareness through everything we do, we help people understand the conditions many big cats face in captivity. We emphasise the importance of animal welfare and enrichment in giving captive big cats the best possible quality of life.
Our founders’ journey reminds us that being open to learning can change the choices we make and inspire others to do the same. Through education, we encourage conscious tourism: asking questions, understanding what happens behind the scenes at big cat projects and choosing experiences that respect and honour all animals. By supporting ethical sanctuaries and avoiding activities such as cub petting and walking with big cats, we can each help build a safer future for these animals. We all have the power and responsibility to make a difference through the places we visit, the activities we choose and the organisations we support.
We strive to show how a non-profit sanctuary, centred on animal welfare, can become self-sufficient. Through our work, we aim to inspire and support the transformation of breeding facilities into sustainable, ethical projects that put animal welfare first.
We believe that caring for animals and protecting the environment go hand in hand. We continue to work towards our goal of becoming a green big cat sanctuary, running solely on solar energy and reducing our environmental footprint wherever possible.
“In unity there is strength” is our motto and these powerful words have guided and grounded Panthera Africa from the start. What began with Liz and Cat and two brave lion brothers has grown into something more beautiful and precious than we ever envisioned, and we still have so much to give!
With continued support from people who share our belief in lifelong care and freedom from exploitation, we know a better future for captive big cats is possible. Together, we continue to provide lifelong care for our animals, share their stories with compassion and purpose and speak up for animal welfare.
