A formidable force within anti-poaching circles with the use of his K9s, Carl’s love affair with the bush started at a very young age, where he found himself occupied with protecting the wildlife on their family farm in Vaalwater. With his passion for Africa and K9s, it only made sense to combine the two together and what has come of that, is a team of highly dedicated individuals who share in his passion for the protection of all species.

With Carl’s expertise, experience, and several years in the field of working K9s and anti-poaching, he has been called upon by various Government authorities for assistance in human scent tracking and intelligence where strong working relationships have been formed with SAPS, Nature Conservation, Green Scorpions and National Intelligence. Carl’s belief in finding solutions to problems and ‘out-the-box’ thinking, he constantly applies action towards his work which provides successful outcomes.

Carl has a natural ability for public speaking and it has seen him portraying the conservation message on a global scale, with invitations to speak at a variety of events in Australia, USA, and the UK. With a love for children, many of these engagements take place at schools where an interactive presentation is given. Back home, Carl has been called upon by various media and news platforms for comment and statement on a variety of the conservation challenges we are faced with.

**Drew Abrahamson – The Lion Lady**

Born into a family deeply involved in wildlife rehabilitation and rescue, Drew Abrahamson’s passion for Africa’s wild places and animals was ignited from an early age. Growing up alongside rangers and wildlife veterinarians, she had firsthand experiences with wild animals that shaped her lifelong commitment to conservation.

Building on this foundation, Drew transitioned from a childhood immersed in wildlife to an active role in conservation. Over the years, she has played a critical part in rescuing and re homing numerous lions at risk—many of whom now reside in sanctuaries she works closely with.

Drew’s influence extends beyond rescues. She has been involved in numerous conservation initiatives, including organizing the successful Global March for Lions events and fundraising for various causes, such as SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary. She has also collaborated with renowned conservationists like Dereck and Beverly Joubert and played a role in Gareth Patterson’s book My Lion’s Heart, in which she is featured.

In 2016, Drew founded the Captured in Africa Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the protection of Africa’s wildlife, particularly big cats. Her expertise in lion behavior and conservation has made her a sought-after figure in the field. She has facilitated numerous rescues and relocations, from wild lions in need of intervention to captive-bred lions requiring safe sanctuary after being exploited in the tourism industry.

Known as The Lion Lady, a name fondly given to her by her followers, Drew has built strong working relationships with key organizations, including Wildlands Conservation Trust, Great Plains Foundation, Green Dogs Conservation, SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Green Scorpions, National Intelligence, EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust), Four Paws International, and the Born Free Foundation.

Drew’s expertise goes beyond South Africa—she has worked internationally to monitor lion movements across borders and has been entrusted with major relocations, such as assisting AngloGold in Tanzania with tracking and relocating a pride from a mining site to a protected reserve.

Her deep understanding of lion behavior has led to collaborations with government entities, including LEDET, MTPA, and the National Zoological Gardens, where she is regularly called upon by government bodies opting for ethical re homing solutions over culling, working alongside National Intelligence and the Green Scorpions to investigate and address wildlife crime.

Drew Abrahamson is not just a conservationist—she is a relentless advocate for Africa’s lions and big cats, dedicating her life to ensuring their survival and protection for future generations.