Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford has successfully relocated the majority of its 26 animals to safety following the devastating wildfire that swept through the facility on 8 January, but the beloved tiger Rays succumbed to severe smoke inhalation despite rescue efforts.
The sanctuary’s quick-thinking staff managed to evacuate animals directly under threat, distributing them across multiple wildlife facilities throughout the country. However, the extensive damage to infrastructure has left the sanctuary facing an uncertain financial future.
Despite the evacuation success, the sanctuary lost Rays, a tiger who suffered massive smoke inhalation during the rescue operation. The darting process necessary for his evacuation caused severe lung edema and cardio-respiratory compromise.
“He went into a coma and passed away peacefully on Saturday, 10 January,” sanctuary officials said. “There are no words to capture the grief we all feel.”
New homes
The remaining animals have been distributed across specialised facilities:
Gabriel the leopard and Pardus the black leopard were relocated to Ashia Cheetah Conservation in Paarl, while two BornFree Foundation servals, Lekanya and Kamagelo, found temporary homes at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay.
Lionesses Zakara and Jade moved to The Lions Foundation in Bela-Bela, and white lionesses Lei-ah and Elsa were taken to ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in the Free State.
Five lions – Chaka, Oliver, Neptune, and special needs lions Ivana and Karlos – were relocated to Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, operated by Four Paws. BornFree Foundation animals Balozi, Mahaba, and Lancelot the lion found sanctuary at Shamwari in the Eastern Cape.
Critical Care Continues
Two animals require intensive ongoing treatment. Tigress Arabella and lioness Baguira are receiving specialised daily care from a big cat veterinarian in Pretoria, having suffered severe injuries and burns during the evacuation.
“They require ongoing specialised daily care for the next few weeks or months,” officials said. “At this stage, the duration of treatment is uncertain.”
Seven animals remain at the damaged sanctuary: Skillie the tortoise, jackals Lucky and Love, bonded pair Jasper and Tammy (a serval and cat), caracals Amy and Gigi, plus domestic animals. These smaller animals can be quickly evacuated if fire threatens again.
Sanctuary officials report that most relocated animals are adapting well to their new environments and caregivers, though all remain under close monitoring.
Financial Crisis
The wildfire has devastated the sanctuary’s income sources. Educational visits and volunteer programs remain suspended, while curio shop sales – previously a significant income source – have ceased entirely.
“Everything changed in an instant,” officials said. The sanctuary faces mounting costs including emergency firefighting response, urgent veterinary care, animal evacuation expenses, and ongoing intensive treatment for the two critically injured animals. Continued staff salaries, daily operating costs, and fire monitoring expenses add to the financial burden as flare-ups continue on the property.
Public Support Needed
Panthera Africa is appealing for public support to cover disaster-related costs and ongoing animal care. The sanctuary emphasizes that public donations are vital for maintaining the intensive veterinary care required for Arabella and Baguira.
Banking DetailsPanthera Africa NPC; First National Bank; A/N: 62459961142; B/C: 250655; Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
