How the Spirit Foundation Wildlife programme is supporting conservation efforts
For nearly four decades, the Spirit Foundation (SF) has quietly and consistently committed itself to the preservation of Southern Africa’s most vulnerable species. As a dedicated arm of the Spirit Foundation, the Spirit Foundation Wildlife programme (SFWP) has become a force in conservation, focusing on anti-poaching efforts, wildlife rehabilitation, and the reintroduction of animals to their natural habitats.
The journey began with a simple but profound motivation: a love for Africa and its wildlife. “My connection to Africa’s wildlife is deeply personal and has now been forty years strong,” says Ian Kilbride, founder and chairman of the Spirit Foundation. “Our natural heritage is under siege, and I believe we all must act, especially those who can. That’s what the Spirit Wildlife Foundation programme aims to achieve: to protect, to preserve, and to do good by assisting existing organisations and strengthening these heroes to continue doing the selfless work.”
Focused conservation that makes a measurable impact
From its earliest involvement with Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino sanctuary, SFWP has expanded its conservation footprint through strategic partnerships with organisations such as WildlifeVets South Africa and Mountainlands Nature Reserve. These relationships have allowed the SFWP to support hands-on conservation work, while also expanding its reach across Mpumalanga and, more recently, into marine bird recovery with SANCCOB (The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds).
“Our work is firmly grounded in active partnerships and collaborations,” explains Wendy De Sousa, Marketing Director of the Spirit Foundation and head of SFWP. “We’re not just funders, we’re active partners. I visit each project quarterly, and we receive monthly reports from all our partners. This ensures we remain close to the work and agile in our support.”
The Spirit Foundation Wildlife programme’s impact is nothing short of remarkable. Over the years, animals rescued with the support of the Spirit Foundation include:
- 115 white rhinos
- 10 black rhinos
- 5 pangolins
- 4 leopards
- 1 elephant
These are not just one-off rescues. Many of the animals rescued have gone on to breed, a testament to the long-term success of the rehabilitation efforts.
To date, 23 white rhino calves and one black rhino calf have been born from previously rescued animals. In just the 2024–2025 period alone, nine white rhinos and one black rhino have been born. Additionally, dozens of animals have been relocated to safer environments: 39 buffalo, 14 giraffes, 10 sable antelopes, and numerous rhinos.
Building infrastructure, saving lives
A signature project of the Spirit Foundation has been the development of the Spirit Wildlife Bomas, in collaboration with Wildlifevets. These recovery enclosures are used for post-operative care and safe rehabilitation before reintroduction into the wild. “By the end of June 2025, we aim to have a real-time video feed available to the public,” said De Sousa. “This will allow donors and partners to see, in real time, the life-changing work happening behind the scenes.”
The SFWP support extends beyond funding infrastructure; it also helps drive new technological advancements and outreach efforts. Its latest partnership with SANCCOB will soon see the completion of a heated recovery pool for injured seabirds, another sign of the Spirit Foundation’s growing commitment to marine conservation.
A broader mission with a more focus
While SFWP’s focus remains on individual animals and ecosystems, the broader mission is built on stewardship, sustainability, and supportive structures. “We know the threats facing Southern Africa’s wildlife, including poaching, climate change, and habitat destruction. We can’t solve everything,” says De Sousa, “but we believe in making a meaningful difference, even if it’s just one animal at a time. That’s the Spirit Foundation ethos—doing good, no matter the scale.”
For the Spirit Foundation, wildlife conservation is not a standalone project. It’s an integral part of a greater purpose—to promote positive change, social impact, and environmental stewardship. “Wildlife is part of our identity as Africans,” says Kilbride. “Losing it means losing a piece of ourselves. Through the Spirit Wildlife Foundation, we’re making sure that doesn’t happen on our watch.”
Become part of this story.
The Spirit Foundation Wildlife programme invites individuals, companies, and philanthropic partners to support its efforts. Contributions can be made directly to its partner programmes—Care for Wild, Wildlifevets, Mountainlands, or SANCCOB—and will go towards real, measurable impact on the ground.
“Every rhino rescued, every pangolin released, every calf born from a rehabilitated mother—these are not just wins for conservation. They are victories for humanity,” says De Sousa.
To learn more about the Spirit Wildlife Foundation or to donate, please visit: www.spiritf.org
