## **ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25**
## **Livingstone Lions**
Email address: admin@livingstonelions.com
Address: 33 Coniston Road, Earlsdon, Coventry, West
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## **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
Letter from Chair of Trustees_______________________________________________ 4 Charity Objectives_______________________________________________________ 6 Impact and Achievements_________________________________________________ 7 Financial Summary ______________________________________________________10 Future Plans and Goals___________________________________________________11 Contact Details__________________________________________________________12
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## **LETTER FROM FOUNDER & CHAIR OF TRUSTEES**
Dear Friends and Supporters
Welcome to the Livingstone Lions Annual Report for 2024/25.
This year has been a period of sustained care, resilience, and community. Our focus remains firmly on the welfare of the lions within our care in Livingstone, Zambia, and on ensuring that those needs are met with compassion, professionalism, and transparency. We have also continued to strengthen the relationship between the charity and its sponsors and supporters. It is their ongoing generosity that literally keeps lion dinners on the table.
2024/25 brought both challenges and meaningful moments. Heavy rains tested logistics and access, but our team on the ground responded with dedication and skill. Through it all, your support ensured the lions were fed, monitored, and safely cared for every day.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Dr Jackie Abell Founder & Chair, Livingstone Lions
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_**Livingstone Lions is a non-profit charity run entirely by volunteers. We are passionate about the welfare of the lions within our care and the well-being of their human neighbours.**_
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## **CHARITY OBJECTIVES**
Livingstone Lions was formed to provide humane care, protection, treatment and security for captive African lions in need of care and attention, and to educate the public on lion welfare and conservation.
## **Livingstone Lions Charity Objectives are:**
- I. To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate protection, treatment and security for captive African lions which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to captive lion welfare in genera and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals
- II. To generate financial support for captive African lions in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage, through fundraising and commercial activities
- III. To promote for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the African lion
- IV. To advance public education in the care of captive lions
Our supporters help bring this mission to life, especially when challenges arise that affect food supply, team capacity, or the lions’ environment.
“ EVERY LION WE CARE FOR IS SUPPORTED BY A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE COMPASSION, EVEN FROM THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.
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## **IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS**
2024/25 was characterised by steady, hands-on care, adaptability, and a continued commitment to the welfare of the lions in our care. While this was not a year of dramatic expansion, it was a year in which consistent daily work, strong local relationships, and supporter commitment ensured that the lions remained safe, well cared for, and closely monitored.
Lion Welfare and Daily Care
Safeguarding the physical and psychological welfare of the lions remained our highest priority throughout the year. The local team on the ground provided daily care, monitoring behaviour, appetite, mobility, and overall condition, allowing early identification of any health concerns. Veterinary support continued to be available when required, ensuring that lions received prompt and appropriate treatment.
Seasonal conditions played a significant role in shaping daily operations. Extended periods of heavy rainfall resulted in rapid vegetation growth within the enclosures. Regular grass slashing and enclosure maintenance became a major focus again this year, ensuring clear visibility of the lions, safe movement for staff, and effective drainage following heavy rain. These activities are essential to maintaining welfare standards and enabling consistent observation and care.
Nutrition and Seasonal Challenges
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The rainy season brought logistical challenges, as it always does, particularly around the sourcing and transport of meat from local suppliers. High river levels and poor road conditions sometimes limited access to abattoirs, resulting in temporary reductions in availability. Through careful planning, flexibility, and strong relationships with local suppliers, the team was able to manage these challenges and ensure that the lions’ nutritional needs continued to be met.
## Community Engagement and Local Employment
Livingstone Lions continued to support local communities through the employment of casual labour, particularly for enclosure maintenance, feeding support, and environmental management. This not only contributes to the smooth running of the project but also provides valuable income opportunities for people living alongside the lions.
Educational engagement remained an important part of our work. Visitors were encouraged to learn about captive lion welfare, the realities of lion conservation, and the responsibilities involved in caring for large carnivores. These conversations help foster understanding, respect, and shared responsibility for animal welfare.
## Supporter Engagement and Communication Milestones
A significant milestone during 2024/25 was the launch of a new Livingstone Lions website, designed to improve accessibility, transparency, and communication with supporters. The updated website provides clearer information about the charity’s mission, the lions in our care, and ways in which supporters can engage with and support our work.
Alongside this, regular newsletters continued to provide updates on the lions and the team’s work in Livingstone. We will continue to strengthen the connection between sponsors and the lions they support.
Social media remained an important platform for sharing news, milestones, and behindthe-scenes insights, helping supporters follow the charity’s work throughout the year.
## Reflection and Resilience
This year also brought moments of sadness and reflection, reminding us of the inherent challenges involved in caring for captive wildlife. Losses were deeply felt by the team and supporters alike.
## Overall Impact
Taken together, the achievements of 2024/25 reflect a year of resilience, responsible care, and meaningful impact. Through the dedication of the local team, the guidance of trustees, and the generosity of supporters, Livingstone Lions continued to meet its core objectives: providing humane care for captive lions, supporting local communities, and promoting understanding of lion welfare and conservation.
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## **FINANCIAL SUMMARY**
||Unrestricted|Restricted /|Total for this|
|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|Designated|period|
||£|Funds|£|
|||£||
|Receipts and Payments||||
|Receipts||||
|Sponsorships & Web|6003.12|0.00|6003.12|
|Donations||||
|Interest on account|3.18|0.00|3.18|
||6006.30|0.00|6006.30|
|Payments||||
|Project Funding (Zambia)|4907.71|0.00|4907.71|
|UK Bank Fees|160.00|0.00|160.00|
||5067.71|0.00|5067.71|
|Cash carried from previous|
1610.51|0.00|1610.51|
|year||||
|Balance|2549.10|0.00|2549.10|
|Statement of Assets||||
|and Liabilities||||
|Cash in current account|2549.10|0.00|2549.10|
|Other monetary assets|0.00|0.00|0.00|
|Other tangible assets|0.00|0.00|0.00|
|Current Liabilities|0.00|0.00|0.00|
- The charity holds no other assets and has no liabilities.
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## **FUTURE PLANS AND GOALS**
Looking ahead to 2025/26, Livingstone Lions remains committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care for the captive African lions entrusted to us, while continuing to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our operations.
## Maintaining and Improving Lion Welfare
Our foremost priority will continue to be the welfare of the lions in our care. We will maintain robust daily monitoring, appropriate nutrition, and access to veterinary support as required. Building on learning from the past year, we will continue to review husbandry practices and enclosure management to minimise risk and respond effectively to seasonal challenges, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Planned activities include ongoing enclosure maintenance, improvements to drainage where possible, and continued grass and vegetation management to ensure clear visibility, safe access, and high welfare standards throughout the year.
## Strengthening Infrastructure and Operational Resilience
We will continue to prioritise essential infrastructure, including fencing, water access, and enclosure safety. Recognising the logistical challenges posed by seasonal weather conditions, we aim to strengthen contingency planning around food sourcing and transport, working closely with trusted local suppliers and partners.
These efforts are designed to ensure continuity of care even during periods of disruption, while supporting safe working conditions for staff and volunteers.
## Deepening Community Engagement and Education
Livingstone Lions will continue to work alongside local communities, providing casual employment opportunities linked to daily operations and environmental management. We remain committed to fostering positive relationships with neighbouring communities, promoting understanding of captive lion welfare, and encouraging shared responsibility for animal care and safety.
Educational engagement will remain a core part of our work, with continued efforts to provide accurate, accessible information about lion welfare, conservation challenges, and the realities of caring for large carnivores in captivity.
## Enhancing Supporter Engagement and Communication
Building on recent improvements to communication, including the launch of a new website, we will continue to refine how we engage with supporters. Our aim is to provide regular,
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meaningful updates in ways that are sustainable for the charity and responsive to supporter feedback.
We will continue to use newsletters and social media to share updates, milestones, and behind-the-scenes insights, helping supporters feel connected to the lions and the work they make possible.
## Ensuring Financial Sustainability
To support long-term stability, Livingstone Lions will continue to diversify its income streams. Priorities include strengthening the Sponsor a Lion programme, exploring additional fundraising opportunities, and seeking partnerships that align with our values and charitable objectives.
Careful financial planning and transparency will remain central to our approach, ensuring that funds are used responsibly and in direct support of lion welfare and community engagement.
## Looking Forward
As we move into the next year, Livingstone Lions remains guided by compassion, learning, and collaboration. With the continued support of our sponsors, donors, and partners, we are confident in our ability to meet future challenges while maintaining the highest possible standards of care for the lions.
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## **Contact Details**
Registered Address:
Livingstone Lions 33, Coniston Road
Earlsdon
Coventry West Midlands CV5 6GU
U.K.
Website: www.livingstonelions.com Email: admin@livingstonelions.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liv_lions/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livlions
UK Charity Registration Number: 1197735
## **Livingstone Lions**
**Reg. Charity Number: 1197735 Trustees Accounts Statement For Year End April 5[th] 2025**
||**Unrestricted Funds**|
**Restricted /**|**Total for this**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**Designated Funds**|**period**|
|||**£**|**£**|
|**Receipts and Payments**||||
|**Receipts**||||
|Sponsorships & Web Donatons|6003.12|0.00|6003.12|
|Interest on account|3.18|0.00|3.18|
||**6006.30**|**0.00**|**6006.30**|
|**Payments**||||
|Project Funding (Zambia)|4907.71|0.00|4907.71|
|UK Bank Fees|160.00|0.00|160.00|
||**5067.71**|**0.00**|**5067.71**|
|Cash carried from previous year|1610.51|0.00|1610.51|
|**Balance**|**2549.10**|**0.00**|**2549.10**|
|**Statement of Assets**||||
|**and Liabilites**||||
|Cash in current account|2549.10|0.00|2549.10|
|Other monetary assets|0.00|0.00|0.00|
|Other tangible assets|0.00|0.00|0.00|
|Current Liabilites|0.00|0.00|0.00|
## **Notes on accounts:**
The charity holds no other assets and has no liabilities.