News from the wild

Because of You, the Orphaned Cubs Still Have a Chance

Published on: October 3, 2025
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The last World Lion Day was not a celebration for us. Instead of sharing uplifting stories, we had to deliver heartbreaking news: the matriarch of the Hippo Creek Pride in Victoria Falls was brutally killed by poachers. She was an extraordinary lioness, raising multiple litters over the years and anchoring the pride’s survival in Zambezi National Park. Her loss left behind two young daughters, that were left to lead the Hippo Creek Pride, and three tiny cubs who had no chance of surviving in the wild without her.

At the time, we made a difficult decision. Despite our commitment to keeping wildlife in the wild, these cubs would not make it on their own. With the support of the National Park, we rescued them and brought them into our sanctuary. They arrived weak, malnourished, and disoriented — their lives hanging by a thread.

That was then. This is now.

Today, we are relieved to share that the cubs are thriving. They are growing stronger with every passing day, receiving round-the-clock veterinary care, proper nutrition, and the space to explore and play. Within a large, protected natural enclosure, they are safe from poachers and predators, yet free enough to hold onto their wild instincts.

Please consider contributing whatever you can. Our main goal for now is the well being of the cubs. So funds will be used directly for their living space and veterinary needs.

The death of the Hippo Creek female lion serves as a reminder of the importance of continued conservation efforts and community engagement to protect lions and other wildlife in the Victoria Falls area.

Lions are facing a poaching epidemic in Zimbabwe – they need your support more than ever!

Your Support Will Make a Difference!

  • $3,500 funds a satellite collar, a fitting, and tracking time for one lion

  • $2,000 provides 1/4 fencing & equipment for the cubs safety housing in our                      sanctuary

  • $1,500 provides telemetry equipment for our field teams

  • $250 covers immobilization drug costsfor most species

  • $100 contributes towards fuel for our teams on the ground

  • $50 buys boots for a ranger on the ground

Get the full story!

This post refers to one of our projects. Read more about the related project to find out the background of this story.

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