Winnie’s journey began in 2003 when she was born in Namibia’s renowned Etosha National Park. Her pride, however, strayed beyond the safety of the park’s borders and onto farmland. Outside of this protected area, the pride was tragically shot and killed. Only two cubs survived:  Winnie and her brother, Clarence. Their youth spared them, as the farmer decided to keep them as a tourist attraction.
 
The conditions they endured were appalling, but their plight eventually came to the attention of Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). The young lions were confiscated and brought to the N/a’an ku sê Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary, where they finally found safety.
 
At N/a’an ku sê, our goal is always to return the wild to the wild. Sadly, Winnie’s early habituation to humans meant she could never be released; survival in the wild would have been impossible. Today she thrives in a vast camp on the N/a’an ku sê Reserve. Majestic and fiery, Winnie embodies the strength of her species and continues to inspire all who encounter her, highlighting the challenges faced by Namibia’s lions.
 
Her beloved brother, Clarence, has since passed away. Together, for two decades, they served as proud ambassadors for their wild counterparts – a role Winnie still fulfils today.
 
Wouldn’t you be proud to welcome Winnie into your family? By symbolically adopting her for just USD 250.00 per year, you’ll be supporting Winnie and the many animals of the N/a’an ku sê Foundation.