Protect Kruger's Lions from Being Poached

Poaching doesn't only threaten individual lions - it threatens the long-term survival of entire populations. Through science, monitoring and collaborative conservation, we can identify emerging threats early and strengthen the protection of these magnificent animals.

Thanks to your generous support, we continue to work alongside the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to help protect lions in the Kruger National Park from the ongoing threat of poaching.

An essential part of protecting wildlife is understanding the health and status of the populations we are working to conserve. During 2024, EWT completed an extensive lion population survey across approximately 4,482 km² of the South region of the Kruger. Covering more than 10,400 kilometres over a three-month period, the survey used advanced scientific monitoring techniques to identify individual lions and estimate population size and distribution. 

The survey estimated approximately 155 lions over one year of age within the study area, providing one of the most up-to-date assessments of this important population. Just as importantly, it established a robust scientific baseline that will allow conservationists to monitor future trends and measure the effectiveness of ongoing protection efforts. 

While the survey confirms that lions continue to persist in this landscape, it also reinforces why continued vigilance is so important. Lions remain vulnerable to threats associated with poaching, making regular monitoring, rapid response and collaborative conservation essential to securing their future. The findings from this research help conservation teams prioritise resources, strengthen protection strategies and make informed management decisions based on the best available science. 

Your support is helping to make this possible.

Together with EWT and our conservation partners, we are investing in the science, monitoring and frontline conservation efforts needed to better protect Kruger's lions and the ecosystems they depend upon.

Thank you for standing with us in the fight to protect one of Africa's most iconic species.

Thanks to your support, important progress has been made in protecting lions and other wildlife the Greater Kruger.

Over the past year, our partners at the Endangered Wildlife Trust intensified monitoring and threat mitigation efforts across the reserve.

Expanding monitoring of lions and other predators

In 2025, conservation teams fitted GPS collars to five lions and re-collared two others. One spotted hyena was also collared and later safely de-collared. Among these achievements was a milestone moment: the first free roaming lion to be tracked in northern Limpopo. These collars help conservation teams monitor movements, detect threats quickly, and respond to emergencies.

Four lions involved in repeated livestock conflict were safely translocated to northern Kruger National Park in September 2025. Post release monitoring showed them moving across the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe before returning, highlighting how connected this landscape remains for wildlife.

Rapid response to snares and injured animals

Helicopter assisted operations allowed veterinary teams to reach snared animals quickly. In 2025 alone, teams successfully treated and released a lion, five buffalo, one giraffe and one elephant that had been caught in snares.

Early intervention prevented serious injuries and likely saved several animals from dying.

Responding to poisoning incidents

In May 2025, a major vulture poisoning event was detected. Eighty four white backed vultures were rescued, and 24 rehabilitated birds were fitted with GPS trackers before release. These vultures now act as aerial sentinels, helping conservation teams detect poisoning events or carcasses more quickly across the landscape.

Removing snares and disrupting poaching activity

Joint patrols removed more than 1,250 snares from the reserve during the year. Rangers also located 79 wildlife carcasses during patrols, highlighting the continued pressure wildlife faces from illegal hunting.

Encouragingly, poacher behaviour appears to be shifting. Rangers are finding fewer abandoned cable snares, suggesting that increased patrols and aerial monitoring are disrupting these activities.

Every GPS collar deployed, every snare removed, and every animal rescued is a step toward making this landscape safer for wildlife.

Your support is helping conservation teams respond faster, monitor animals more effectively, and protect lions and other species that depend on this vital corridor.