The Pride

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened."

Anatole France

Leopards

Gabriel

Gabriel (Born 22 October 2010)

Gabriel was bought as a small cub by the previous facility, and they hand reared him. At a very young age (approx. 3-5months) he broke both front legs jumping off a structure. The bone break was most likely due to lack of mothers’ milk, incorrect diet and no additional supplements. His front legs were casted, and he was kept in a house for an extended period while healing. Gabriel therefore is very habituated to humans. When he was an adult, he was used for breeding but did not live with a female the last couple of years at his previous home. He used to live in approx. 500sqm rectangular enclosure with a roof on the top. He had some small bushes and a night pen, but the enclosure was inadequate to the needs of a leopard. His previous home was closed by Nature Conservation as they never renewed there permits and was therefore keeping the predators illegally. We were contacted by our veterinarian to help Gabriel and provide a suitable forever home for him. Gabriel settled in extremely fast after only a couple of days hiding in the bushes adjusting to his new home and family members. After a week he started charming us with his very talkative nature and roleypoleys showing his beautiful colouring, confidence, and trust in us. He is enjoying his new kingdom and we are so grateful to have another golden member in our pride.

Pardus

Pardus (Born 28 March 2012)

Pardus was the only cub in the litter and a couple of hours old when her mother rejected her (this is the story told us. She was dehydrated and struggled for 3 days before starting to drink, and she has kept her fighting spirit ever since. Even though she is small of size, beautiful and loving, it is her cheeky personality that makes her unique and captures the many hearts of both volunteers, staff and tourists. Pardus is the star of most of our visits where she charms the people with her roly-poly’s showing off her stunning rosettes, as well as illustrating her agility by her fast movements, playfulness and climbing of her tree and platforms. She definitely is a black beauty!

Did you know...

Leopards are very agile, and can run over 60 km/h, leap nearly 7 meters and jump over 3 meters high?
Leopards are very adaptable and are found in sub-Saharan Africa, Turkey, the Himalayas, Russia, China, and Sri Lanka
Black (melanistic) leopards are actually a very dark brown and have their own unique pattern of rosettes
Leopards in the Cape Mountains are unique pygmy forms only half the size of the more common leopards
The word “Leopard” is a combination of “Leo” (lion) and “Pard-us” (panther)
#ifakeit is a campaign that is raising awareness and money to replace real Leopard skins with fake ones for African tribes

Tigers

Arabella

Arabella (Born 1 April 2012)

Arabella, or Bella as she is called, was raised by a very good friend of the founders. At about two months of age, Bella became very ill and contracted a virus in her brain. She stayed in intensive care for three weeks, and was given a less than 20% chance of survival. But with lots of love and care, little Bella pulled through and has now grown into a beautiful and gentle tiger who is small in size, but big at heart.

Rays

Rays (Given birthday – 29 July 2009)

He (no name at that stage) was living with Bella and her brother Aries, along with 8 other tigers. To our devastation, Aries was mistaken for another tiger and killed for the tiger bone trade. Even though our hearts were broken, it was amazing to see how this remaining tiger stepped up and became a brother and friend to Bella. For this reason, Cat and Liz decided to keep him and call him Rays – to raise awareness for the tigers and the tiger bone trade, and to honour him for all the rays of light he shines in this world!

Did you know...

Tigers show their affection by chuffing?
There are 3,200 tigers left in the wild and at least 5,000 tigers in captivity in the United States
A group of tigers is known as an “ambush” or a “streak”
Tigers are more cooperative than lions. When a tiger crosses paths with another tiger while hunting, they’ll often share the kill instead of fighting over it
Tigers have been known to imitate the call of other animals to successfully attract prey

Lions

Neptune

Neptune (Born 8 November 2010)

Neptune’s nickname is Skapie (little lamb) as he is white as a lamb and made bleat sounds as a cub. He has grown into a gorgeous male lion with the kindest eyes, quirky personality, and your heart melts every single time he comes and “tells” you a story.

Oliver

Oliver (Born 11 October 2011)

Oliver is a while lion, he was raised by the owners with 4 other lions, including Obi at the previous project. They had to go back to their owners at 10 months of age, but we knew the goodbye was not for forever. The owners put the boys in an enclosure with 9 other lions and left them to fend for themselves, often struggling to get their fair share of food. Thankfully, as soon as the idea of Panthera Africa was born, so was the realization that Cat and Liz can get their lion boys back! It was a hard and testing process, but now they are safely at Panthera Africa and will live out the rest of their days in prosperity.

Jade

Jade (Born 17 June 2010)

Jade and her sister Je’taime were originally raised by Lizaene at a previous project, but were separated from her when they were a year old. After 5 years of following their journey, Lizaene knew it was time to bring them home. Sadly, when Cat and Liz arrived to fetch the girls, they found out that Je’taime had been killed in a lion fight a few months earlier. Jade’s talks, pretty face and strong female presence is felt throughout the sanctuary, and she often lays on top of her house and shares her powerful voice to join the roars of the boys!

Zakara

Zakara (10 August 2011)

Zakara was brought to Panthera Africa with Jade, as they had been living together at their previous home. Zakara was named by Liz and Cat, meaning of inspiration, hope, and guidance. Although she had a rough start to her life, she has a beautiful soul, and the most stunning eyes that seem to see right through you. She is quite a playful girl and loves to get enrichment, especially loving to play with tyres! As Zakara’s date of birth is unknown, she was given the birthday of August 10th – International Lion Day.

Lei-ah

Lei-ah (17 July 2015)

Lei-ah had a bit of a troublesome start to her life and nearly passed away, but as her name indicates – she was saved by God and pulled through! Lei-ah is the pure definition of love and innocence, and when spending time with her you will be gifted by seeing everything through a child’s eyes again!

Elsa

Elsa (Born 21 March 2016)

In April when we arrived at the game lodge to relocate Lei-ah, we were informed of a cub that was born three weeks earlier. She was born from the same mother and father as Lei-ah, and once again there were concerns with regards to the dad not accepting and wanting the cubs. Elsa was therefore hand-reared and immediately when we saw her we knew that she will join our pride to live with her older sister Lei-ah. Elsa is a brave and determined girl, who will share her strength and love with the rest of the lion pride!

Chaka

Chaka (11 November 2016)

Chaka came from a house in Johannesburg where he was being kept as a family pet along with the children and cats/dogs. A permit is required for all indigenous animals being kept and the family did not have a permit so the authorities were able to come and take Chaka away. Johannesburg Zoo then kindly looked after him for 3 months but couldn’t take him long term as they didn’t have the capacity to keep him. So they contacted us and asked us if we would be able to give Chaka a home. We said YES and on 11th November 2017 Chaka came to the sanctuary and his forever home. Since arriving Chaka has been part of everyone’s affections. He has bonded very well with the staff here, is very confident and knows what he wants. He is a true Prince Charming!

Baguira

Baguira (26 November 2007)

Baguira is our first international rescue. She has come to us all the way from Argentina. Baguira was in a circus from 6 months of age. However the circus ran out of funding and so she was never trained. Because of the lack of funding she was put in a 1.5 x 2m trailer where she spent 6 years of her life and was never let out. She was then rescued by two women in Argentina and moved into a 25sqm enclosure where she spent two years while they were searching for a forever home for her. January 2017 we started the process of getting Baguira to us and 11 months after she was finally safely with us in her new forever home. She settled incredibly quickly into her new home here, in fact she was the quickest animal to settle here. Within 5 days of being in her new home Queen Baguira started to roar. Now if that’s not a sign of gratitude and happiness I don’t know what is. Baguira is wise and kind and is forming lots of special bonds with the staff and volunteers at the sanctuary. Baguira is a beautiful queen – a queen of true love!

Karlos & Ivana

Karlos & Ivana (given birthday 14 February 2019)

Karlos and Ivana were confiscated by the NSPCA after being found close to death at a breeding farm for lion bones in South Africa. They were immediately put into the care of veterinarian, Dr Peter Caldwell. With the support from Born Free, the courageous siblings were relocated to Panthera Africa after five months once their condition had improved. Karlos and Ivana are living in a specially made enclosure in our Rescue Section which is closed to the public. With provision of special daily supplements and enrichment, they are continuously improving their motoric skills and condition which was highly damaged by the malnutrition and lack of care as cubs. Karlos and Ivana are true champions and have the bravest of hearts. They have shown us what is possible when having huge determination, perseverance and the willpower to live and improve life. Their relationship is beyond incredible and it melts every heart seeing them loving, teasing and playing with each other.

Did you know...

Caracals

Gigi

Gigi (Born 14 April 2016)

Gigi is a beautiful caracal whose gentle spirit and joyful nature have already made her a cherished member of the Panthera Africa pride. At 9 years old, she was lovingly rehomed to us from a trusted sanctuary who believed she would thrive in our peaceful environment — and we happily welcomed her to her forever home. Gigi is revealing more of her sweet personality every day. She has become quite the chatterbox, always ready with a chorus of vocalizations that endear her even more to those around her. Watching her blossom into her full, confident self is a joy and a privilege.

Amy

Amy (Born 4 April 2010)

Amy and her siblings were rejected by their mother and were found out in the heat dehydrated. She was the only one to survive, so at a young age she got introduced to Jack. She has grown into a proper “lady” caracal and shares her wisdom gladly if you make the time. Amy tends to keep to herself, but loves to play with toys and water.

Did you know...

Caracals are known for their ability to capture birds by leaping 2m (6.6 ft) or more into the air from a standing start?
Caracals can reach up to 80 km/h (50mph) and are fast and strong enough to bring down an ostrich!
Caracals are listed as of “Least Concern”, but are still considered pests to farmers throughout their range and their numbers are in decline. Education is important in order to help humans live alongside these small, yet fierce and agile predators

Servals

Jasper

Jasper (Born 1 December 2014 - Relocated 2025)

When Jasper entered the world, his start in life was far from easy. Born in a South African zoo, he suffered a traumatic brain injury within his first hours of life, leaving him in need of special care and a calm, stable environment. Despite this difficult beginning, Jasper’s resilience and gentle nature quickly shone through. Jasper’s life changed forever when he met Tammy, a spirited feral cat who had made her own journey to sanctuary life. Their connection was instant and effortless — two souls drawn together by quiet understanding. From that day on, they’ve been inseparable companions. At Panthera Africa, Jasper has truly found peace. He spends his days exploring his enclosure with Tammy, sunbathing on warm rocks, and calling out softly with a distinctive little chirp whenever he can’t see her. Together, they embody the power of love and trust — reminding us that friendship can heal even the deepest wounds. Jasper’s story is one of courage, recovery, and the profound comfort found in companionship.

Tammy

Tammy (Born 19 Sept 2019 - Relocated 2025)

Tammy’s journey began as part of a managed feral cat colony, where she was sterilised and vaccinated before deciding, in her own time, to embrace human companionship. Fiercely independent yet deeply loving, Tammy chose sanctuary life entirely on her terms — and, in doing so, changed another life forever. When she met Jasper, a serval in need of comfort and understanding, something extraordinary happened. Their friendship grew naturally and without intervention — a quiet, steadfast bond built on mutual trust. Tammy quickly became Jasper’s source of comfort and emotional support, and the two have been inseparable ever since. Now living together at Panthera Africa, Tammy spends her days curled up beside Jasper, exploring their peaceful enclosure, and watching the world go by. As confirmed by Panthera Africa’s veterinary team, their wellbeing depends on being together — proof that compassion knows no species. Tammy’s story is one of quiet strength, unconditional love, and the beauty of chosen family.

Lekanya

Lekanya (Born 13 October 2020)

Lekanya was confiscated from his previous owner after a visit to a veterinarian for a broken leg. Despite not knowing his exact birthdate, it is estimated that he was around 19 weeks old at the time. After a recovery time at Natuurhulpcentrum (Belgium), Lekanya arrived at Panthera Africa in March 2022. His name origins from the Tswana language, and means “Balance” of masculine and feminine.

Regardless of a distressful and anxious start at life, Lekanya grew up being cheerful, confident and resilient. He still shows a will to learn about the world and is very empathic towards animals and humans around him. His carefree and happy-go-lucky energy can cheer up anyone up in the Panthera Africa Pride – both humans and animals.

Mahaba

Mahaba (Born 30 April 2017)

Mahaba was spotted running on the rooftops in the city of Roeselare and frightened neighbours alerted the police in 2019. After his confiscation by authorities, he waited more than two years before being able to settle in his new home. Mahaba got quite used to his human connection and home-type environment,however, living in a household was not a fit for his needs as he wanted space to get out and exercise.

Mahaba is needing some time to settle into his new home at Panthera Africa as there are a lot of new energies, smells, wind and totally new surroundings to adjust to. He needs more support and time to become comfortable in his new shelter, and this we will of course continue to give him. He has expressed gratitude for his new home and feels the joy building inside. His Swahili name means love and he can teach us all the importance of unconditional love and oneness in life.

Balozi

Balozi (Born 18 December 2018)

Balozi was first found roaming around the city of Mechelen (Belgium) and then caught in a humane trap. After a placement in a local zoo, he started a two-year long journey to Panthera Africa. His first steps in life, especially with regards to separation from his family, turned him shy and reserved, however after arriving at Panthera Africa Balozi has become more brave, cheerful and expressed hope towards his future.

His name means “Ambassador” in Swahili, and he delivers a message of communication, expansion, and potential. Thanks to his resilience and coping abilities, we are certain he will grow as a powerful messenger.

Kamogelo

Kamogelo (Born 6 January 2019)

Kamogelo was kept in poor welfare conditions and therefore Belgian authorities decided to confiscate him in February 2019 in the town of Kinrooi. From the first day we connected with him, he has been quite curious and willing to connect with his surroundings.

With our support, his adaptation to his new forever home has been quite swift. As a confident and resilient serval, Kamogelo feels comfortable with most settings and able to adapt to any circumstances. Kamogelo means Acceptance in Tswana and his gift is to teach how acceptance can be a strength in life.

Did you know...

Jackals

Love

Love (Born 29 January 2021)

Love, the beautiful companion to Lucky, was rescued and brought to Panthera Africa in January 2025. Raised in captivity after being found as an orphaned pup, she spent the first years of her life in a restricted, sandy enclosure with limited shelter and stimulation. Despite the loving intentions of her original caregivers, Love never had the opportunity to live in a space that reflected her natural needs. Upon arrival at Panthera Africa, she was spayed by Dr. Peter Caldwell to ensure no future breeding—a vital part of Panthera Africa’s commitment to ethical and responsible animal care. Love has since begun to flourish in her lush new enclosure. Though a little reserved at first, she has shown steady growth in confidence. Her health has improved greatly, and she has proven to be enthusiastic at mealtimes—often playfully competing with Lucky for the tastiest treats. With patience, respect, and expert care, Love is now experiencing a life of dignity, freedom, and safety. Her journey is one of quiet strength and new beginnings.

Lucky

Lucky (Born 29 January 2021)

Lucky is one of two adult jackals rescued and relocated to Panthera Africa in January 2025. He was originally found as an orphaned pup by a farmer in the Western Cape, who raised him with kindness but without the specialised knowledge or environment that wild animals need to thrive. Lucky spent his early life in a small, sand-filled enclosure with no natural vegetation or stimulation. As part of his relocation, Lucky was sterilised by Dr. Peter Caldwell, in accordance with Panthera Africa’s ethical policy against the breeding of wild animals in captivity. Since arriving at the sanctuary, Lucky has settled in remarkably well. His new home offers space to roam, natural vegetation, shelter, and enrichment opportunities—elements he had never experienced before. Though still shy, Lucky grows more confident each day and has been caught on our trap cameras curiously exploring his surroundings and cheekily trying to steal food from Love. With nutritious food, expert care, and the freedom to choose how he spends his days, Lucky is beginning to live the life he was always meant to.

Did you know...

Relocated

Cody

Cody (Born 10 August 2013)

Lucy and Cody are brother and sister and were rescued only a couple of weeks old. Their mother was killed in a veld fire on a farm and the owner of the farm tried to take care of them. However, she soon discovered that it was not easy to take care of these predators, and therefore relocated them to us. Cody is a soft hearted, yet shy boy and takes his time before warming up to people.

As Cody and Lucy were born wild, they never really found their peace and calmness here at Panthera Africa. We therefore made the decision to relocate them to a beautiful sanctuary up north in South Africa with a lot bigger space to give them the best suitable life for them.

Lucy

Lucy (Born 10 August 2013)

Lucy and Cody are brother and sister and were rescued only a couple of weeks old. Their mother was killed in a veld fire on a farm and the owner of the farm tried to take care of them. However, she soon discovered that it was not easy to take care of these predators, and therefore relocated them to us. Lucy is very skittish and keeps her distance, however comes close when treats are offered. They love to dig, play and often get into mischievous trouble.

As Lucy and Cody were born wild, they never really found their peace and calmness here at Panthera Africa. We therefore made the decision to relocate them to a beautiful sanctuary up north in South Africa with a lot bigger space to give them the best suitable life for them.

In Memoriam

Jack

Jack: 23 September 2009 - 11 October 2025

It is with immense sadness we say goodbye to our beautiful Caracal, Jack. He was a creature of quiet dignity and profound affection, bringing a unique sense of peace to us all. Jack was wonderfully relaxed and quiet, often seeming to observe the world with serene calm. Profoundly attentive, we will miss him instantly coming running the moment he heard a familiar voice. That instant response, that burst of affection, was pure joy. Jack was a loving soul. He will be dearly missed. His memory remains vivid and warm.

Jubatus

Jubatus: 9 June 2009 - 7 September 2025

We mourn the passing of Jubatus, a truly magnificent “split lion,” a unique individual who carried both the brown and white lion genes in his lineage. Jubatus’s story is one of rescue and well-deserved peace. He was saved from a life under the harsh “limelight” of tourism, where his striking appearance was exploited for public viewing. Bringing him to our sanctuary allowed us to offer him a gentle, dignified retirement. His last years were spent in the quiet comfort of our Born Free Rescue section, away from crowds. Here, he was simply a lion, enjoying his days in the sun and resting under the shade. Jubatus received the very best care, living out his retirement exactly as he deserved—in peace, privacy, and safety. He will be deeply missed.

Cora

Cora: 2 October 2006 – 18 October 2024

Cora came to Panthera Africa in 2019 with her sister Alpha, rescued by Born Free from a life of captivity. In the Born Free Rescue Section of our sanctuary, she rediscovered joy, strength, and freedom. After Alpha’s passing, Cora was lovingly supported, but her health soon faded. She passed peacefully, surrounded by care. Cora’s fierce yet gentle soul will forever be part of our hearts. Sleep peacefully, dear lioness.

Alpha

Alpha: 2 October 2006 – 14 September 2024

Alpha and her sister Cora were rescued by Born Free from a closed-down zoo in Spain and arrived at Panthera Africa in 2019. They found peace in the Born Free Rescue Section of our sanctuary, where Alpha thrived in her later years with expert care and love. At 20, her health declined, and she was gently laid to rest with dignity. Her powerful presence and wild spirit touched us all. Rest well, Alpha—you will always be remembered.

Max

Max (Born 26 March 2012 - 30 July 2024)

It was with a heavy heart we shared the passing of Max, our beloved caracal, on July 30, 2024. Diagnosed with kidney and liver issues earlier in the year, Max’s health steadily declined despite our best efforts. On his final day, Max enjoyed a special meal, playtime, and the loving company of Cathrine, Lizaene, and Taryn. Following an examination by Dr. Peter Caldwell and honouring Max’s own wishes through animal communication, we made the difficult decision to let him go peacefully. As his spirit departed, the entire pride, including Rays the tiger, roared their farewell—a touching tribute to Max’s remarkable life. Known for his playful and kind nature, Max brought joy to everyone he met and left a lasting legacy at Panthera Africa. Max will forever remain in our hearts, inspiring us to continue our mission of providing a safe haven for big cats. Rest in peace, Prince Maximillian.

Achilles

Achilles (Born 3 August 2009 - 26 April 2024)

Achilles, born on August 3, 2009, was known as the gentle giant because of his huge size and his soft heart. After 13 months of age, one of his testicles had still not descended, and according to the vet, this could become cancerous, so he was castrated. As he lived together with Jubatus, we were advised by the vets to castrate Jubatus as well to avoid possible dominance problems. Due to the lack of testosterone, neither of them grew a mane, however, they still were the most handsome “boys”. For the last couple of years, Achilles and Jubatus had been given a well-deserved retirement in our Born Free section away from all public. Sadly, Achilles passed away on April 26, 2024. He presented with a sore tooth, and during a procedure for a suspected root canal, it was discovered that he had cancer in his jaw, which had spread to the majority of his right side. Our veterinarian explained that this was a very aggressive cancer, and the bone was so brittle that the tooth broke right off. Given the prognosis of only a week to live, filled with pain, we made the difficult decision to say our goodbyes and let him go peacefully. This cancer is common in older captive lions, and despite our best efforts, no precautions or care could prevent this from happening.

Zorro

Zorro (30 November 2012 – 5 December 2015)

Zorro was the true definition of kindness and compassion. His gorgeous strong features and soft heart touched hearts in an instant, and his love and powerful presence left you with an admiration and inspiration to change your own ways. Zorro loved to share his stories through the sweetest of talks, and him and Pardus were the best of friends and shared lots of playtime as well as cuddles under his favourite tree. Unfortunately Zorro passed away due to surgery complications, but his kindness and forgiveness will forever live in our hearts and inspire us in many years to come. Rest in peace, our ‘gentle giant’.

Shani

Shani (29 September 2011 – July 2016)

Shani grew up with Obi and Oliver, and was meant to join the Panthera Africa pride in March 2015. However her destiny was not as we wished for. Shani ended up in the illegal trade where she was sold from place to place, and ended up at one of the many breeding facilities in South Africa. Through our endless search for her, we found out the real truth behind the cub petting, breeding and canned hunting industry, and tragically we found out she was killed for the bone trade in June 2016. The loss of this powerful yet soft lioness has marked Cat and Lizaene’s hearts forever, yet Shani’s love, strength and heartfelt story have given these two ladies and thousands of others the willpower and courage to continue to create the vital change in the lion industry, and to have faith in a bright future for us all! Rest in peace, beautiful queen.

Jampa

Jampa (4 December 2004 - 26 September 2019)

We had the privilege of Jampa’s company at Panthera Africa for a year and nine months before he passed away peacefully on 26 September 2019. Jampa came to us with his health compromised: an injury on his shoulder and very bad athritis. After an operation by Dr Peter Caldwell and the proper medication, Jampa was able to live out the rest of his life in peace and without pain. Jampa’s name means loving kindness and this is how we will remember him – his soft soul and his calming purr which opened our hearts to love. Jampa will be missed and we know that he watches over us.

Galaxy

Galaxy (17 April 2005 - 14 June 2021)

Galaxy was used in the film industry when he was young. Thankfully he was rescued and relocated to a place of safety where he lived a happy and contented life with his two lioness friends, Matilda, and Saturn for eleven years. But in the space of two years, he lost both his mates, and consequently all zest for life. In September 2019, Galaxy joined our pride and was able to live out the remainder of his life with the dignity and respect that he deserved. The animal carers gave him all the love and the best care possible during his last 18 months with us. Galaxy has left a massive imprint on the land and this project, and he will live on forever in our hearts.

Sheeba

Sheeba (18 August 2007 - 6 March 2022)

Sheeba was rescued from a hunting facility where he was overfed to obesity for the reason of stretching his skin in order to be more valuable when hunted. Sheeba was also declawed on his front paws in order to make him an easy target, and this, in addition to the heavy weight of his skin, caused the development of arthritis in his front wrists and back hips. For the first 3 weeks we barely saw Sheeba, and only knew he was there because his food was eaten. But step by step he started to trust us, and over the years he grew into a confidant beautiful man who lost a lot of weight, significantly improved his condition and was able to move around his home with joy and love in his heart. Sheeba was always playful and curios, and truly enjoyed spending lots of time with his caretakers. At 15 years old Sheeba crossed over very peacefully with lots of love and gratitude in his heart, and will forever shine his golden light within us and over Panthera Africa.

Pema

Pema (4 December 2004 – 25 February 2023)

Pema, and her brother, Jampa were orphaned at an early age and after a period of hand-rearing, were surrendered to a rescue centre. The centre’s hope of reintroducing them back into the wild was not succesful as they had been habituated to humans and they remained in captivity. The centre decided it was in the cheetahs’ best interest to move to Panthera Africa where they would be able to build an enclosure according to their needs and give them the special care they require, especially being older cats. We are deeply grateful to have had 5 wonderful years with Pema since her arrival at the sanctuary and will forever have treasured memories of her powerful purrs and games of hide and seek. Our dearest Pema, thank you for everything you have given us, your purr will always be remembered. Run free beautiful Lotus Flower.

Obi

Obi (27 October 2011- 1 April 2023)

Obi is a split lion and had the most remarkable eyes! He was raised with 4 other lions, including Oliver, but was the youngest and smallest of the 5. As a young cub Obi was always the smaller and weaker of the cubs and fell ill at about two weeks of age. His urge to fight to live pulled him through and he became the stealer of many hearts. The owners took Obi and Oliver back at 10 months of age and after 2 years, Cat and Liz went to find them. They found Obi and to their devastation saw the condition he was in. He was very thin and could barely walk, but after receiving immediate vet help, his condition started to improve slightly. He had a Vitamin A deficiency that was not treated for by his previous owners and the malnourishment contributed to this being a permanent condition. Obi was loved by so many, and his story of resilience has touched hearts across the globe. His physical absence sends echoes across the sanctuary, but in our hearts, we know that our boy is an old soul, full of wisdom and many gifts to share, even in spirit. How lucky we are to have shared this lifetime with him… and now he joins Zorro, Aries, Shani, Pema, Jampa, Galaxy, and Sheeba in the stars.

Maya

Maya (21 August 2013- 26 October 2023)

Maya and her brother were the only two to survive from a litter of four. They came at an age of 2 days and weighed approx. 109grams. Her brother died of a heart aneurysm and Maya was very sad and lonely. When Cody and Lucy arrived, it was a present sent from heaven and they soon became a little family of three. Maya has soulful eyes with a happy-go-lucky personality, and she gets overly excited every time she sees Cat and Lizaene.