OUR WORK IN AFRICA
Conservation in Action Across Africa
Each project we undertake tells the same story — one of action, collaboration, and tangible impact. From wildlife rescue and re-habilitation to re-forestation and re-wilding, our work spans multiple ecosystems and species, guided by the belief that effective conservation begins in the field.
Our focus extends beyond protecting species; it’s about strengthening ecosystems, empowering local communities, and ensuring that conservation remains viable for generations to come.
Below are some of the key projects that define our mission — each one a reflection of what happens when expertise, purpose, and compassion meet in action.
Yellowwoods Re-forestation Project.
A community-driven initiative in partnership with Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, focused on restoring the endangered Yellowwood tree. By growing trees from seed and replanting them in native habitats, we restore biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and strengthen the relationship between people and the land they depend on.
Shoebill Breeding Project – Zambia
In collaboration with African Parks and regional conservation partners, this project supports the breeding and re-wilding of Africa’s rare shoebill stork. By protecting wetland habitats and improving breeding success, we help secure the future of one of the continent’s most iconic and vulnerable bird species.
Vulture Safe Zone: Southern-Cape
The AWCF is working in alliance with VULPRO to establish vulture safe zones areas across the Southern Cape and Karoo. This initiative establishes a protected environment for threatened vulture populations in the in the Southern-Cape. Through safe feeding sites, monitoring, and community engagement, we work to eliminate poisoning risks and strengthen these vital scavengers’ role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Elephant Cancer Research: South Africa
Partnering with international research institutions, AWCF contributes to studies exploring the natural cancer resistance found in elephants. This pioneering work connects wildlife conservation and medical science, advancing both species protection and human health understanding.
Red-Necked Ostrich Rewilding: Sahara Desert
In partnership with African Parks and regional conservation authorities, AWCF supports efforts to reintroduce the critically endangered Red-Necked Ostrich to parts of the Sahara. This work is helping restore an essential species to one of Africa’s most fragile ecosystems.
Cheetah Rewilding Initiative – Ashia & Botlierskop
AWCF partners with Ashia Cheetah Conservation to rehabilitate and re-wild cheetahs across southern Africa, combining veterinary expertise with specialized release programs. Botlierskop Private Game Reserve serves as one of three key release sites, helping restore cheetahs to their natural habitats and strengthen wild populations for the future.
Red-billed Oxpecker Reintroduction
AWCF in partnership with Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is bringing back the Red-billed Oxpecker. Once lost in parts of the Western Cape due to habitat change, livestock practices, and declines in host species, these small birds now get the chance to return. At Botlierskop and partner reserves, we reintroduce oxpeckers to healthy populations of large mammals, helping rebuild ecosystem balance, reduce parasite burdens, and strengthen wildlife health—one bird at a time.