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 began with a bond between two women and two lion brothers, Oliver and Obi.
Our 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 the animals there was helping to support big cat conservation.
It was here that they cared for Oliver and Obi as cubs and formed a bond with the two brothers. When the boys were sent to a breeding farm, Liz and Cat continued to keep track of them. They later discovered that the brothers were competing with other lions for food and being used for breeding.
These experiences changed their understanding of the captive big cat industry and gave them a clear purpose: to create a sanctuary where rescued animals could be free from exploitation. Determined to give Oliver and Obi a better life, they envisioned a home where big cats would receive lifelong care, protection and respect.
Panthera Africa was registered as a non-profit company in 2014 (NPC no. 2014/002629/08) and opened in April 2015. Liz and Cat rescued Oliver and Obi and brought them home as two of our founding animals. The brothers who had helped inspire their dream could finally receive the care and protection they deserved.
Obi passed away on 1 April 2023, after years of care at Panthera Africa. We remember him with love and gratitude for the part he played in inspiring a sanctuary that has given so many animals a home. His memory continues to inspire our work and our commitment to every animal in our care.
Our name reflects Liz and Cat’s deep passion for four Panthera species: Panthera leo, the lion; Panthera pardus, the leopard; Panthera onca, the jaguar and Panthera tigris, the tiger.
Panthera Africa is an environmentally friendly 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 home for our animals, our team and the many volunteers who visit.
Today, the promise that began with Oliver and Obi remains at the heart of our work. It is an honour to care for these animals, to get to know their individual personalities and to give them the lifelong care, protection and respect they deserve. We honour each animal by respecting their needs and choices, allowing them to be themselves. We are a true sanctuary, with no hands-on interaction, no breeding and no trading.
Education is one of our main purposes. By sharing our animals’ stories and raising awareness, we help people understand the conditions many big cats face in captivity and the importance of animal welfare and enrichment in giving them the best possible life in captivity.
Our founders’ journey reminds us that learning can change the choices we make. Through education, we encourage conscious tourism: asking questions, understanding what happens behind the scenes and choosing experiences that respect animals. By supporting ethical sanctuaries and avoiding activities such as cub petting and walking with big cats, we can each help build a better future for these animals. We all have the power to make a difference through the places we visit, the activities we choose and the organisations we support.
We also aim to show how a non-profit sanctuary centred on animal welfare can become self-sufficient. Through this work, we hope to help transform breeding facilities into sustainable and ethical projects.
We believe strongly in the connection between environmental and wildlife conservation. Our aim is to become a green big cat sanctuary, running solely on solar energy and reducing our environmental impact wherever possible.
“In unity there is strength” is a belief that has guided Panthera Africa from the beginning. What started with Liz, Cat and two lion brothers has grown through the support of people who share our belief that a better future for big cats is possible. Together, we continue to care for our animals, share their stories and speak on their behalf.
