Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve is Accredited by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

July 11, 2024 (Washington DC) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to the Born Free Foundation’s Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve as of May 15^th, 2024.

Accreditation means that Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary meets the criteria of a true animal sanctuary and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Accreditation status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards which are confirmed by a site visit and they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. Accreditation also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari as an exceptional organization.

“We are thrilled to announce the recent Accreditation of Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari, an outstanding organization providing a peaceful permanent home and lifelong care to rescued lions and leopards from zoos, circuses and private ownership,” said Kristin Leppert, GFAS Program Director, Wildlife. “Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari is the first GFAS certified felid sanctuary in South Africa and their steady commitment to this achievement has made all of us at GFAS proud.

A sentiment echoed by Born Free’s Sanctuary Manager in South Africa, Catherine Gillson who added, “We at Born Free, Shamwari are so proud to have this accreditation from GFAS as a genuine sanctuary. Our primary goal is the holistic well-being of our rescued big cats along with creating awareness about the threats these creatures face in the wild. We hope that sanctuaries like ours are not needed in the coming years and lions and leopards are only sighted in their natural habitats.” 

About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner.www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Born Free was founded by Bill Travers MBE and Dame Virginia McKenna DBE, who starred in the movie classic, Born Free (1966), together with their eldest son, Will Travers OBE, who now leads the charity as its Executive President. Born Free’s mission is to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect, and are able to live their lives according to their needs, as far as possible. Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns to keep wildlife in the wild.

Born Free promotes compassionate conservation which strives to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats, while respecting the needs of and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. Born Free seeks to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world. For more information about Born Free please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk

Download Accreditation Press Release