Global White Lion Protection Trust | Saving the White Lions

White Lions

King of Kings.

Revered as

Nature's

Untold numbers

cuddle-to-kill industry.

South Africa's

Less than

13 in their endemic

habitat.

3 prides

now flourishing

in the wild.

The Global White Lion Protection Trust

A leader in community-based conservation

The Global White Lion Protection Trust is a registered NPO/Public Benefit Organisation situated in a protected area of nearly 12,300 acres of endemic bushveld. The land was acquired by the White Lion Trust, which reintroduced a founder pride of White Lions into their natural habitat in a carefully phased, ground-breaking scientific program. These White Lions were one generation removed from their ecosystem and have been integrated with wild golden lions of the region. Our three prides now roam freely in their ancestral lands – a protected area that is not open to the general public.

Founded in 2002 by Linda Tucker after nearly ten years of intensive research into both the scientific and cultural significance of the White Lions, the Global White Lion Protection Trust has built up a strong and consistent record of creating mutual benefits for Lions, Land and People. The White Lion Trust continues to bring to the world important scientific data and calls for the legal protection of Panthera leo, particularly the critically endangered White Lion, which is site-specific to UNESCO’s Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere region.

The White Lions
A global heritage

The White Lions are a genetic rarity of Panthera Leo and appeared in only one place on earth – in the Timbavati and Kruger regions of the UNESCO-declared Kruger to Canyons Biosphere (K2C). Their conservation significance within this wildlife ecosystem is matched by their cultural value to the Tsonga and Sepedi communities, supported by other indigenous authorities around the globe.

Today, however, after six decades of forced removals from their endemic habitat, most White Lions are held captive in zoos and circuses worldwide. Commercial trophy hunting of lions may be ethically and scientifically indefensible, but legal loopholes mean that it is still practiced right here on our borders. Lions – including White Lions – may be commercially hunted in their natural habitat or, even worse, speed bred in captivity to become victims of the notorious “Canned Hunting” industry. Right now, there are hundreds of White Lions in captivity but less than 13 in the wilds of their endemic habitat.

Over the course of two decades, The White Lion Trust has implemented a multi-level strategy which celebrates culture, advances social learning, uplifts the local living economy and revives the biodiversity and dignity of human life and wildlife. This LionHearted Leadership™ model is inspiring revival beyond mere survival. It is partnering with like-hearted people and organisations to restore health and prosperity to the human world as well as abundance and security to the natural kingdom.

Whether this means upgrading our fencing system to protect the White Lions and other animals under our guardianship from persistent poachers, acquiring more land for the benefit of our prides, supporting local education programs or developing innovative observation and tracking systems for the daily scientific research that is so intrinsic to our project, we strive always for excellence knowing that the work we do is essential for the ultimate survival of our entire ecology.