Kevin Richardson’s unique relationship with some of Africa’s apex predators have opened many doors and captivated the imagination of many people throughout the world. He has presented and produced several documentaries that detail his relationships with the animals and highlight the plight of lions both in captivity and in the wild.
THE KEVIN RICHARDSON
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY’S MISSION
The Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a self-sustaining African carnivore sanctuary for the purposes of wild species preservation. Through education, outreach and funding, our mission is to bring awareness to the rapid decline of large carnivores in Africa due to habitat loss, human-predator conflict, the illegal bush meat trade, unscrupulous hunting, disease, and illegal trade.
CONSERVATION MESSAGE
ON THE LIONS
There are thought to be as few as 15000-20000 lions left in the wild in Africa. Today the biggest threats lions face are habitat loss (largely due to human encroachment), human – lion conflict (retaliatory and pre-emptive killings), illegal bush meat trade (consequences which include indiscriminate snaring and prey depletion), unscrupulous trophy hunting, lion poaching (for the lion bone trade in the far east) and to a lesser extent disease.
Lion populations face a combination of these threats in the affected lion range states where numbers are declining.
Great friend and Foundation Ambassador Rodney Xolile Nombekana is proving himself to be one world-class wildlife photographer. These are not captive animals in a controlled setting, but rather lions in the wild. And if you know anything about these big cats, you know it takes a special talent to not only find them but to create such beautiful art using them as the subject. Congratulations Rodney, we love cheering on your success.
What I’m going to be doing this weekend with the heat wave we’re experiencing! Have a wonderful weekend everyone! It’s been a busy week!
