Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary
Born Free Rescue Section at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary
South Africa
Born Free works in collaboration with Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary to provide safe, natural enclosures for wild cats rescued from zoos, circuses and other captive facilities.
The Born Free Rescue Section at Panthera Big Cat Sanctuary was built in 2019, with thanks to Born Free’s corporate partner British Airways Holiday. Alpha and Cora were the first big cats to arrive and it is hoped that the area will provide a safe haven for many more rescued cats in the future.
Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation founded by Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine S. Nyquist in 2014, located 140 kilometres from Cape Town, in South Africa’s Western Cape. It is a sanctuary for captive-bred wild cats where they will be protected for the rest of their lives.
Meet the Panthera Africa Big Cats
Alpha
Alpha in September 2020 © Panthera Africa
Date of Birth: Estimated 2004
Arrived at Panthera Africa: October 2019
Alpha was rescued alongside her companion Cora, from a failed zoo in southern Spain. She was cared for temporarily at Natuurhulpcentrum, a wildlife rescue centre in Belgium, before we moved her to Born Free’s Rescue Section. Here Alpha will receive lifetime care in a safe and natural bush enclosure, supported by Born Free with thanks to British Airways Holidays.
Since arriving in South Africa, Alpha has settled in well. Alpha is the more adventurous of the two lionesses and often nudges Cora to join her on a walk. Alpha and Cora have a very close relationship and are enjoying the peace and quiet of their new home.
Watch Alpha’s Rescue Zoos & Aquaria
CORA
Cora in September 2020 © Panthera Africa
Date of Birth: Estimated 2004
Arrived at Panthera Africa: October 2019
Cora was rescued alongside her companion Alpha, from a failed zoo in southern Spain. She was cared for temporarily at Natuurhulpcentrum, a wildlife rescue centre in Belgium, before we moved her to Born Free’s Rescue Section. Here she will receive lifetime care in a safe and natural bush enclosure, supported by Born Free with thanks to British Airways Holidays.
Since arriving in South Africa, Cora has become relaxed in her new surroundings and is certainly enjoying her days lying in the sunshine and enjoying the peace and quiet. Cora loves spending time with Alpha and they have a very close bond.
Watch Cora’s Rescue Zoos & Aquaria
KAMOGELO
Kamogelo the serval © Panthera Africa
Date of Birth: Estimated January 2019
Arrived at Panthera Africa: 15th March 2022
Kamogelo (previously ‘Kinrooi’) was confiscated from private ownership in the municipality of Kinrooi in Belgium, having been kept in poor conditions.
Along with three other servals which were also rescued from Belgium – Balozi, Mahaba & Lekanya – he was looked after by Natuurhelpcentrum before being transported to South Africa where he now lives in the Born Free Rescue Section at Panthera Africa. Being a solitary species, each individual lives in their own spacious enclosure.
See Kamogelo arrive at Panthera Africa Wild Animals as Pets
BALOZI
Balozi the serval © Panthera Africa
Date of Birth: Estimated January 2019
Arrived at Panthera Africa: 15th March 2022
Balozi (previously ‘Mechelen’) was found wandering the streets of the Belgian city Mechelen, having escaped from private ownership. He was caught in a humane trap and taken in by Natuurhelpcentrum in 2019.
In 2022 he and three other servals – Kamogelo, Mahaba & Lekanya – were transported to South Africa where they now live in the Born Free Rescue Section at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. Being a solitary species, each individual lives in their own spacious enclosure.
See Balozi arrive at Panthera Africa Wild Animals as Pets
MAHABA
Mahaba the serval © Panthera Africa
Date of Birth: 30th April 2017
Arrived at Panthera Africa: 15th March 2022
Mahaba (previously ‘Roesalare’) escaped from private ownership and was spotted running around the rooftops of the city Roeselare in Belgium.
He was captured and taken to Natuurhelpcentrum in 2019 where he was cared for until 2022, when he was transported alongside three other servals – Kamogelo, Balozi & Lekanya – to South Africa, where they now live in the Born Free Rescue Section at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. Being a solitary species, each individual lives in their own spacious enclosure.
See Mahaba arrive at Panthera Africa
LEKANYA
Lekanya the serval © Panthera Africa
Date of Birth: Estimated October 2020
Arrived at Panthera Africa: 15th March 2022
Lekanya (previously ‘Diepenbeek’) was confiscated from private ownership in early 2021 in the municipality of Diepenbeek and was taken in and cared for at Natuurhelpcentrum in Belgium.
In 2022 he and three other servals – Kamogelo, Balozi & Mahaba – were transported to South Africa, where they now live in the Born Free Rescue Section at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. Being a solitary species, each individual lives in their own spacious enclosure.