International conservation and education charity, with UK base in the South East of England, celebrates 21 years of existence

AfriCat an international conservation and education charity, that has its UK base in the South of England , is celebrating its 21st birthday.

Set up in 1993, with its African base in Namibia, AfriCat is dedicated to conserving the large carnivores in the wild by working with local communities to manage the conflicts that occur between humans and wildlife.

As part of the celebrations the AfriCat Foundation's founding Director, Tammy Hoth-Hanssen is coming to the UK from the 10th until the 19th October and will be visiting schools, education and conservation projects throughout the country.

During her visit Tammy will visit schools in in Berkshire Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Middlesex areas

Schools AfriCat is visiting are:

Monday 13th October Hampton School, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HD

Tuesday 14th October Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1PE

Thursday 16th October (early morning) Downe House, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ

Thursday 16th October (late morning) Moulsford Preparatory School, Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, OX10 9HR

Mrs Hoth-Hanssen will talk about her work to keep large carnivores in the African wild and finding careers in conservation. She said:

"AfriCat offers practical solutions to people who have to live with lions, cheetahs and leopards. These animals are beautiful to see but they are dangerous and they are able to kill people and destroy livelihoods by taking livestock. As local farmers we know the problems but over the years we have developed ways for farmers to reduce their losses of their cattle and goats and shown how wild animals can regenerate local economies through tourism.

Tammy will also be talking at other schools, universities and businesses in other parts of the country.

The end of the week sees a major fund raising event with Chris Packham - conservationist, broadcaster, ecologist, presenter, wildlife photographer and AfriCat patron - presenting a talk on Big Cats: Keeping them Wild which is being held at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore SW7 2AR www.africat.co.uk. October 17th 7.30 until 10. Tickets £20.

Tammy Hoth-Hanseen, said

"AfriCat UK is making great strides in bringing public attention to the significant benefits that conservation and education can have in enhancing local communities in Namibia. We are delighted that Chris has been kind enough to offer his services to us and we encourage as many people as possible to come along for what promises to be a brilliant and fascinating evening".

###ENDS

Further Information

Carey Widdows, AfriCat UK, 5 Brackendale Way, Reading RG6 1DZ.

Tel: 0118 935 1681

Mobile: 07767795938

E-mail: info-uk@africat.co.uk

Web:www.africat.co.uk

Note to the Editor on AfriCat UK:

Photo attached is of:Photo of Tammy Hoth-Hanssen with anaesthetised lion as part of a research project in Northern Namibia

AfriCat UK is a branch of the AfriCat Foundation based in Namibia.

The vision of the Charity is conservation, education and community enhancement. The Foundation supports local people in addressing human wildlife conflict - keeping big cats (including lions, cheetahs and leopards) wild and, in the process, raising funds to educate their children and to provide much needed employment for the local community.

Via the establishment and day to day running of schools; employment; and adult education, the Charity supports the building and maintenance of a flourishing local community who support the conservation of these big cats.

AfriCat supports environmental education at all ages and levels of education, rehabilitation programmes, provides solutions to human-wildlife conflict issues and conducts constructive wildlife research.