James always loved Africa. Over the last 20 years he travelled to South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Botswana. James had always planned to get involved in some sort of conservation project or community scheme in later life; however circumstances changed the he was diagnosed with brain cancer.  We were fortunate to have been able to team up with Tusk who offered us a restricted fund, in James's name.

Being able to partner with Tusk helped us to identify impactful conservation projects and education programmes in Botswana and with the funds raised James chose to support the CLAWS 'Pride in our Prides' project in Botswana. 

Africa’s lion population has decreased by 50% in the last 25 years due to habitat loss, hunting and human-wildlife conflict. The Okavango Delta is an important stronghold for lions but conflict there is high with over 90% of all livestock predation cases caused by lions leading to retaliatory killing.

CLAWS works in the region by partnering with communities to share information about lions to change their perceptions and motivate greater livestock management. CLAWS works on the belief that if local people know they lions, then they will be more willing to take proactive, preventative action against losses and will not be motivated to persecute them.

So far, the project has successfully reduced conflict incidences by 50%. The goal is to reduce incidences to over 80% giving villagers peace of mind and lions an opportunity to thrive.

James sadly died in July 2021 but hopefully James family and friends will continue to raise money for this project to create a lasting and meaningful legacy for James.