Calling Philanthropists

YWe can all relate to the story of the young cub who became King. Fighting the odds with the likes of Scar and Whoopi Goldberg Hyena. But there is an undiscovered story of yet another brave young cub, unheard of and yet to be Queen.

Savannah Heuser is our 23-year-old “Lion princess” taking up arms against the cruelty, not of the animal kingdom, but that of “Mandom” through his thrill-seeking endeavours, egos and politics, leaving orphaned and distressed animals in his wake. Pumba and I have written this tale to light up the dark night with the shining star known as Savannah The Lion Princess.

With a name like Savannah, you can’t help but conjure up images of rolling plains speckled with acacia trees and roaming wildlife.

While young girls her age are busy with Snapchat and posing for Instagram and trying to decide on what career is good for a newbie millennial to get into, Savannah has a different dream.

Growing up in a family heritaged with a game farm in South Africa, this dream didn’t come in the guise of lip serviced activism and conservation. It was born after a once in a lifetime holiday in Zambia, a neighbouring country, while white water rafting, swimming in the Chobe, watching the elephants in the water and swimming in the world famous Devil's Pool and spending the last day with lions. It was the first time she saw a lion up close and was completely stunned something so perfect could exist.

This sparked in her the idea that she knew working with lions is what she wanted to do with her life. At that stage, she wasn't too sure exactly how, but knew in her heart that she wanted to rescue the King of the Jungle.

Ex-Circus Cats Paid with Tiny Cages

After researching and viewing hidden footage of the backdoors of circuses, visiting various holding facilities in zoos and observing the appalling conditions of these magnificent animals, especially the big wild cats trapped in tiny cages to live out the rest of their days, Savannah knew without a doubt, what her calling as The Lion Princess was to be. And hence, her journey started to take shape and The Savannah Foundation T/A The Waterberg Wildlife Rescue began…

There is Light: Life at the Centre

The bushveld, literally in the middle of nowhere, hosts the sanctuary and rescue haven for the wild cats to roam freely uninhibited with massive enclosures up to 3 hectares each depending on the number of animals marking their spot. Although it harbours few natural man made structures, the infrastructure built to accommodate a lodge and modern facilities does not hinder the untouched scene of nature. Allowing the animals their privacy as well as visitors and volunteers the opportunity to share in this space with an appropriate distance and fortitude. Alongside the large habits the centre consoles with experts and specialists to ensure that the animals receive the best possible care.

The centre is not open to the general public but caters for regulated educational tours and volunteering experiences for parties who contribute and have vested interests.

Lost The Battle, But Won The War:

There is always a Scar to a Mufasa and sometimes it takes a Simba to make that long walk to freedom through stampeding wildebeest. That is how it felt for Savannah, seeing a dream extinguished too early because of, ego and politics with the animals always getting the short end of the legal stick. Before Waterberg Wildlife Rescue, another sanctuary, its predecessor, had to face the harsh reality of the age-old David and Goliath tale. An innocent, small and quaint sanctuary railroaded by larger corporate partners that benefitted no one (especially not animals) other than the pockets and pseudo reputation of the bigger hand wielding power.

Although it felt like the lion's den was crumbling, it didn't deter Savannah and like a phoenix from the flames, she rose and has bravely embarked on a new journey and looks towards creating not just a safe space to rescue big cats, but all wildlife in need.

She realised that the past is not a burden to the future. Every being deserves a second chance, and taking the wildebeest by the horns is sometimes a necessary feat to continue fulfilling a promise. That promise is Waterberg Wildlife Rescue.

Tax Rebates: Seeing Your Money in Action

Having learnt from past mistakes of jumping the gun too early in aid of distressed animals and trying to accommodate their rescue and rehabilitation before appropriate funding exacted its place, has taught Savannah to not count her chickens before they hatch. Although driven to eagerly step in and save the animals day, repercussions of actioning this before financial stability can be detrimental for the big cats in the long run.

To maintain a happy place, a 1000 happy Euros per cat per month is crucial to ensure a happy animal. Before the pride can increase, they need this safety in place. And what makes the sanctuary’s patrons happy, is the tax rebate and chance to visit the rescue centre and see their money in wild action.

The Lion Princess

This girl is on fire and has a date with destiny.

Ironically, growing up in suburbia with a family who owned a game farm, Savannah was not into the bushveld when she was younger. Their game farm was reserved for the odd weekend break or family holiday. Even though Savannah’s social calendar preferred malls and movies.

Thanks to her mother's adventurous streak prompting Savannah to see the world and seek the excitement travel memorializes, Savannah soon abandoned girlish whims and started to see the wild world through the eyes of a cat.

She is up to the task of taking up this massive responsibility for these animals. Against the hunting and canning of lions and all wildlife, and not want to be in it for the money, she is set to blaze the cage alight and walk with lions into the night.

Watch this space…