How rescued lions found a new home
Discover the remarkable stories of Schrikkloof’s rescued lions and see how your stay helps secure their future. Our caretakers will show you around during the lion feeding tour.
Giving big cats in need a second chance in life
The Lions Foundation rescues big cats from circuses, war zones, and private ownership. At our 1,000-hectare reserve in South Africa, rescued lions, tigers, and native species are given a safe and natural home, where they receive the best possible care in spacious, natural enclosures.
Our Story
The Lions Foundation was established as an extension of Stichting Leeuw in the Netherlands, founded in 2011 to rescue and rehabilitate big cats. With innovative facilities like a hunting simulator and a strong focus on public education, Stichting Leeuw has cared for over 90 big cats. In 2019, we expanded to South Africa with the acquisition of the Schrikkloof Private Nature Reserve. Over 30 big cats have already been relocated to The Lions Foundation, with space for up to 70 animals – allowing more rescues both in the Netherlands and in Africa. Together, Stichting Leeuw and The Lions Foundation are committed to offering rescued animals the life they deserve.
These cats can, unfortunately, not be released back to the wild. They have not learnt to hunt, some of them were bottle-fed, declawed and/or defanged. They simply would not be able to fend for themselves in the wild. At The Lions Foundation they live on 1.5 hectares of savannah land per animal or pair and are well taken care of. Your visit directly supports their care and protection.
International collaboration
Stichting Leeuw and The Lions Foundation also offer expertise in animal selection, transport, and habitat design, and plan to expand collaborations with partners to enhance wildlife conservation and reintroduction efforts globally.
