**Charity No. 326567**
**Annual report and financial statements**
**For the year ended**
**31 December 2024**
## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Report and financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Contents**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative information**|**1**|
|**Trustees’ Annual Report**|**2**|
|**Independent Auditors' Report**|**57**|
|**Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities**|**61**|
|**Consolidated Balance Sheet**|**62**|
|**Charity Balance Sheet**|**63**|
|**Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows**|**64**|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|**65**|
## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
|Trustees:|Damian Aspinall|
|---|---|
||Charles Filmer|
||Tansy Aspinall|
||Maarten Petermann|
|Charity number:|326567|
|Registered office:|Port Lympne Reserve|
||Lympne|
||Nr. Ashford|
||Kent|
||CT 21 4PD|
|Auditors:|Goldwins Limited|
||75 Maygrove Road|
||West Hampstead|
||London|
||NW6 2EG|
|Bankers|Barclays Bank plc|
||93 Baker Street|
||London|
||W1A 4SD|
|Solicitors|Girlings Solicitors LLP|
||Stourside Place|
||Station Road|
||Ashford|
||Kent|
||TN23 1PP|
|Investment advisors|Slater Investment Limited|
||Nicholas House|
||3 Laurence Pountney Hill|
||London|
||EC4R 0EU|
Page 1
## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
The Aspinall Foundation ("Foundation" or "TAF") was established as a charitable trust by a Trust Deed on 30 March 1984 and registered as a charity under number 326567 on 27 April 1984. The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Introduction**
Following the creation of Howletts and Port Lympne zoological parks in 1959 and 1975 respectively, The Aspinall Foundation was founded in 1984 as a UK registered charity (under the name of The Howletts and Port Lympne Foundation, and eventually The Aspinall Foundation), the vision of which has always been to contribute to global species conservation through integrating ex situ and in situ activities.
Our global wildlife conservation work, again spanning over thirty years, covers diverse issues including tackling the illegal wildlife trade, the “re-wilding” and eventual release of wild-born animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and of captive-born animals, the reintroduction of species to sites where they have become locally extirpated, the reinforcement of small isolated populations of threatened species, the co-management of protected areas with national governments, the scientific evaluation of wild, reintroduced and captive wildlife populations, and the recovery of threatened species through community-based conservation.
On 29 March 2021, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the Charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011.
The inquiry is examining:
- the administration, governance and management of the Charity by the trustees with specific regard
- to how conflicts of interest have been dealt with and managed.
- whether or not there has been any unauthorised trustee benefit; and
- whether or not the trustees have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under
- charity law.
On 28 May 2025, the Charity Commission appointed interim managers to assist with the furtherance of their inquiry.
The trustees have continued to fully cooperate with the Commission regarding their questions.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **“Conservation and Rewilding in Action”**
The Aspinall Foundation works to restore wildlife and habitats through conservation and rewilding. We focus on priority species, sites and actions, using our expertise to make a lasting impact.
Our goal is to restore and protect biodiversity and inspire global conservation efforts. Conservation
action: _Effective conservation supporting significant populations of priority threatened species or_
## _habitats._
Ecosystem rewilding action: _Restoration of important habitats facilitated by species reintroductions and translocations._
Species rewilding action: _Rehabilitation and release of captive species for conservation benefits._
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
**For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **The Aspinall Foundation - Conservation and Rewilding in action**
**Conservation action:** The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar Programme continues to facilitate effective community-based conservation of some of the most threatened species and habitats in the world. Our flagship “Saving the greater bamboo lemur” project works with community associations living in and around the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, leading to the recovery of a species thought to be on the brink of extinction and now ensuring the long-term survival of over half the total global population. Species-level lemur conservation projects are also ongoing for Critically Endangered crowned sifakas and black-and-white ruffed lemurs, while our Madagascar critical habitat projects focus on lowland rainforest, upland rainforest, dry deciduous forest, and freshwater wetlands, supporting diverse Critically Endangered endemic species including Madagascar fish eagle, Madagascar big-headed turtle, the damba mipentina cichlid fish, and numerous lemurs.
**Ecosystem rewilding action** : In Congo and Gabon The Aspinall Foundation’s ground- breaking long-term western gorilla reintroduction programme continues to re-establish two populations of this Critically Endangered species as the cornerstone of a wider ecosystem-level rewilding and restoration of the Batéké Plateau, a beautiful but degraded landscape. Thanks to the long-term gorilla reintroduction and associated site management projects, hippo and de Brazza’s monkey populations are recovering in the Lesio-Louna Reserve in Congo, whilst chimpanzees and Critically Endangered African forest elephants are recovering in the Batéké Plateau National Park in Gabon. There is potential to further restore the ecosystem with other species reintroductions, particularly with Defassa waterbuck, locally extirpated due to historical hunting pressure. In South Africa we are collaborating to rewild and restore the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and surrounding landscape, home to reintroduced white rhinos and Critically Endangered Middelburg cycads, through improved management capacity and ongoing reintroduction of locally- extirpated species such as black-footed cats and in the future restoring the megafauna including cheetahs, black rhinos and savannah elephants. Elsewhere we continue to work with partners in Pakistan to develop an ambitious programme to reintroduce greater one- horned rhinos, within the context of a site-based restoration and rewilding programme.
**Species rewilding action** : Our western gorilla reintroduction programme in Congo and Gabon continues to provide opportunities for release of rehabilitated captive gorillas in order to reinforce the reintroduced gorilla populations and improve their long-term viability. Similarly, our Indonesia Programme rehabilitates hundreds of endemic primates, with associated release projects to reinforce small isolated wild populations that would otherwise struggle to survive. In Java these projects focus on Javan gibbons, eastern and western Javan ebony langurs, and Javan grizzled langurs, and in Sumatra our developing release project reinforces the small siamang population in the Isau-Isau Nature Reserve, a biodiverse forest supporting many high priority endemic species including Critically Endangered Sunda pangolins. In South Africa, we continued our diverse support to the cheetah metapopulation, and our field team continued to facilitate the rescue and release of numerous species across the country, from pangolins and bush-babies to leopards, rhinos and elephants. At a policy level we continued to collaborate with the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group to develop best-practice guidelines for wildlife releases for conservation benefits, to be published in 2025.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Overseas Conservation Projects**
Page 5
## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Congo**
**Goals** Q Gorilla reintroduction Q Ecosystem restoration Q Sustainable protected area management **Gorilla reintroduction:** The first ever reintroduction programme for gorillas, with the first releases dating back to 1996, to the Lesio-Louna Reserve from where they had been locally extirpated by hunting. Long-term post-release monitoring is ongoing, with some individuals having been monitored for over 25 years, and the reintroduced population is growing steadily. **Ecosystem restoration** : Ongoing and long-term restoration of a beautiful but degraded landscape, facilitated by the gorilla reintroduction programme. Local hippo and de Brazza’s monkey populations are recovering naturally due to the diverse activities of the Lesio-Louna management project. There is potential to further restore the ecosystem with other species reintroductions, particularly Defassa waterbuck and potentially southern reedbuck. **Sustainable protected area management** : The Lesio-Louna Reserve (170,000ha / 420,000 acres), a globally-renowned Key Biodiversity Area, is managed through a co-management agreement between the Congo government and The Aspinall Foundation. Discussions are underway to explore the potential to expand the effective protected area to 1.2 million acres by incorporating the adjacent Lefini Reserve within a larger collaborative partnership.
## **Gorillas**
The reintroduced gorilla population in the Lesio-Louna Reserve has continued to undergo various changes to the composition of the various groups. A count carried out based on camera trap images at the end of 2024 indicated that about 60 gorillas are in the reserve. A large proportion of the females seen on camera trap images are carrying babies. The super- group led by Makoua for several years had started to split up during 2023, and during 2024 we have had no observations of Makoua himself. The largest group observed in 2024 comprised at least 17 individuals, and appears to consist of a small number of adult females plus numerous sub-adults and juveniles, many likely to be Makoua’s offspring. The most frequently observed group consisted of a young silverback plus three adult females released since 2001 (Koto, Massabi and Tchivou), one young adult female, and the infants of each of these four females (Massabi’s born around July 2021, Koto’s in September 2023, and Tchivou’s and the unnamed female’s in July or August 2024). This group also had two additional members temporarily, in January and February 2024. The group was followed at various times by solitary silverbacks, including Elonga in February and Fubu in June. Other gorillas observed during 2024 include the eldest female in the project, Djembo, with a silverback resembling Djeke. Louboko (“Lulu”) and Likendze have also been provisionally identified from camera trap footage. A solitary silverback, thought to be Teke, made a brief excursion outside the south-eastern limits of the Reserve in July.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
**Kebu** has calmed since Fubu’s departure from Abio 2 island although at certain moments he still seems slightly more nervous than the other island gorillas. He is still not eating any wild fruits although his acceptance of certain grasses and leaves is increasing. He is also not foraging himself and very little progress has been noted towards a potential release.
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**----- End of picture text -----**
became very adventurous over the course of the year. While he still keeps clear of Joshi and is still quite a lot smaller in size, he seems less fearful of him than previously. His openness to all kinds of food has clearly rubbed off on Joshi and is very possibly a reason for which Joshi is adapting better to wild fruits than Kebu who is alone on his island without a Congolese-born companion.
**Joshi** continued his adaptation to wild fruits which began unexpectedly at the end of 2023, in particular the consumption of _Aframomum_ fruits which he often ate in preference to bananas at the beginning of the year. This progress was lost slightly during the dry season when such fruits are less readily available but when the rainy season returned he was still happily eating both. He is however not very adventurous and we have seen little evidence of foraging for himself.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
**Fubu** had a difficult start to the year, having been released in
2023 he appeared to have got into a fight with a group of gorillas and was finally found quite underweight in the south of the reserve several weeks later. The aim for 2024 was to build up his weight and strength in order for him to be able to return to the wild. He did on occasion disappear for a couple of days before returning to his
usual feeding spot with what looked like a full stomach and his food was
progressively cut in order to encourage him to forage further. However sadly his body was found halfeaten by a crocodile on the 11 August 2024, just over 13 months after his release on 29 June 2023. He had been receiving significant supplementary feeding almost daily for several months, given to him along the Louna River. Whether this led to a higher risk of crocodile attack is debatable, but it is possible.
At Iboubikro, **Kelle** (28.5) remained in the big cage through 2024 but **Yambo** (“ **Sid** ”) finally died on 30 June at the grand-old age of 37 or so – Yambo was the first ever gorilla to be rescued by the project back in 1989 and his remarkable story encompasses over three decades of all the highs and lows of the project with so many memories to cherish. His health had been failing in old age and he was buried at Iboubikro having been at the project for 35 years.
## **Team activities including missions and maintenance**
Monthly missions were carried out to retrieve images from the network of camera traps that are placed around the reserve. Some challenges were experienced with certain cameras malfunctioning or being stolen but the camera trap programme in general is working well.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
The following table summarises the number of camera-trap videos taken per species in 2024:
||**Number of**||
|---|---|---|
|**Species**|**images**||
|Western lowland gorilla||57|
|Malbrouck’s monkey||72|
|De Brazza’s monkey||19|
|Moustached guenon||6|
|Giant pangolin||5|
|Hippopotamus||207|
|Forest buffalo||30|
|Red river hog||263|
|Sitatunga||268|
|Northern bushbuck||76|
|Yellow-backed duiker||105|
|Black-fronted duiker||28|
|Black-backed duiker||14|
|Blue duiker||1|
|Grimm’s (“Common”) duiker||2|
|Side-striped jackal||2|
|Serval||3|
|African civet||19|
|Genet||7|
|Black-footed mongoose||17|
|Cane rat||4|
|Guineafowl||18|
|Monitor lizard||1|
**Total 1224**
A group of 14 hippos was seen together regularly in the Louna river over the course of 2024.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
Birdlife continues to be abundant in the reserve with African darter, Hamerkop, and purple herons seen especially regularly. Several species of kingfishers and bustards, and occasionally grey parrots are sighted too
## **Administrative efforts/ achievements for the year**
One recruitment was made in 2024 as Muriel Makemy was hired as an administrative and tourism assistant paid for by tourism funds. The reserve conservateur was removed from his post by the ministry in February 2024 and replaced by the former deputy conservateur (2010-2020) Eugene Mbintsene who immediately collaborated effectively to improve the management of the Reserve.
Ecoguards on an anti-poaching mission dismantling a fish smoking installation
## **Project visits from notable individuals**
The reserve’s good reputation among the diplomatic corps of the region has continued and we have received visits from the ambassadors of the EU, Germany and Italy as well as the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors to the DRC. The increased interest reflects a broader trend of fast growth in visitors to the reserve in the last couple of years. 1614 paying visitors came to the reserve in 2024 bringing a gross income of 160,461€ compared to 749 vistors and 101,138€ in 2022. 2025 will see the recruitment of a dedicated tourism team so that the ecoguards can concentrate 100% on monitoring and anti-poaching activities. The increase in tourism income is very important to the reserve as some of the indemnities to government ecoguards are paid from this revenue as well as nearly all of the maintenance costs at Iboubikro camp and any unexpected expenses which do not figure in the annual TAF budget (for repair work for instance).
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
Towards the end of 2024 an official visit was made by the Minister of Forest Economy with a view to preparing Lesio Louna for a visit from President Sassou Nguesso of Congo and Prime Minister Meloni of Italy. This was followed by a visit from a South African company on a reconnaissance mission for a place to build a luxury lodge originally to house the two leaders. However we never heard anything else about such a visit nor the construction of the lodge.
A small crew from SVT, Swedish public television, visited the reserve in February to film part of a documentary about gorilla reintroductions.
## **Infrastructure works**
The floating pontoon at Lac Bleu was destroyed in 2024 as someone had stolen two of the drums which acted as floaters and the lack of balance as a consequence of this led to the pontoon snapping in half. Using tourism funds a brand new, more solid pontoon with protection against theft of floating devices was constructed and installed.
## **Grant funding applications**
Initial discussions were held with the leadership of the World Bank-funded ProClimat project on a potential grant of around 2 million USD for the reserve. Certain rules will have to be followed (no salaries for armed ecoguards or military personnel, for instance) but otherwise if approved the project would bring a huge financial boost over three years. From initial discussions it is very likely that Lesio-Louna will be selected to be a beneficiary of the grant and internal discussions were held over what to put in the proposal. Running costs, monitoring equipment and new projects such as a new tourism camp and a total overhaul of the reserve’s electricity system are being looked at.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Gabon**
## **Goals**
Gorilla reintroduction
Ecosystem restoration Supporting protected area management
**Gorilla reintroduction:** Gorilla reintroduction to the Bateke Plateau National Park in south- east Gabon, ongoing since the first releases in 2001. Most released gorillas are rehabilitated orphans rescued from the internal bush-meat trade, but this is also the only project in the world to have successfully rewilded zoo-born gorillas, now with successful reproduction by a released zoo-born gorilla. Long-term post-release monitoring is ongoing, with some individuals monitored for over 20 years.
**Ecosystem restoration** : Ongoing restoration of the National Park facilitated by the gorilla reintroduction programme. Natural recovery of chimpanzees, probable increasing forest elephant population, and remarkable but occasional observations of lion and spotted hyena.
**Supporting protected area management** : Support to the Gabon government to manage the Bateke Plateau National Park (182,000ha / 450,000 acres), a globally-renowned Key Biodiversity Area. Priority species include western gorillas (Critically Endangered; reintroduced population), forest elephants (Critically Endangered), and central chimpanzees (Endangered).
## **Gorillas**
The family group of Djongo, Mayombe and Taali continues to progress on their 3-ha pre- release island. Taali is becoming increasingly confident and independent. She can often be seen asking her parents to play with her. Djongo is the most accepting, whereas Mayombe can reject her, particularly during feeding time. Mayombe is growing in confidence, she is no longer afraid to remain alone at a feeding site and continue eating after the others have left. She is also more confident around the team, coming closer to the water to feed and doing some chest beating. She sometimes asks for food by clapping her hands. Djongo is very protective of his family and pays close attention to any potential threats, whether they are elephants on the island or other males on the other side of the river.
The Boumango group was observed directly or by camera traps almost every month, between the PPG camp and the canyon. The group was observed either with Boumango alone or with the females and their young. A newborn infant was confirmed at the beginning of the year and has since been seen regularly on camera and appears to be in good health. Through direct observation, the team identified the baby as a male, Dikélé's firstborn. Boumango was observed several times in front of the pre-release island, he exchanged chest beats and displays with Djongo. He seemed more interested in Djongo's group than the other way around, and Djongo sometimes ignored him when he knew he was there.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
The Tonga group has been monitored by camera traps placed along the Lewou River. On one occasion in February, Tonga was directly observed alone, with the rest of the group hiding. A new baby was seen for the first time in October, but looked more than a year old in the camera trap footage.
The zoo-born silverback Ima was seen several times directly or with camera traps during the year. The two females who transferred to him during 2022, Okéli and Amvemande, were also seen in July with an approximately one-and-a-half-year-old baby each. Ima was very protective and didn’t want the females to get closer from the river bank during direct observation. These are the first babies born to a released zoo-born gorilla.
The 42-year-old solitary silverback Djala died at the beginning of March, likely due to issues related to old-age. He was in good condition before his passing and had previously been seen every day at the same spot in front of the Mbie camp.
Djongo and Mayombe (both zoo-born in Europe), and their daughter Taali born in the Bateke Plateau National Park, Gabon.
## **Administrative efforts/ achievements for the year**
We continued to support the anti-poaching missions of the ANPN rangers throughout the year, financially and with logistical assistance.
From September 2023, we have had camera traps installed at the Nkoly site and on various beaches in Kessala, as part of a research study of the forest elephant population, funded by the International
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
Elephant Foundation (IEF). Since then, a mission has been carried out every month to collect data at these sites. Elephants are observed directly on almost every visit to the Kessala beaches.
The cameras were removed from the Nkoly and Kessala sites in September 2024 after a year of data collection. As part of the same project, DNA samples were collected at the Nkoly, Kessala and Mpassa sites and sent to the ANPN's scientific unit for analysis. 30 of the planned 50 samples have been collected, and the rest will be completed in 2025.
By the end of 2024, 27 camera traps had been deployed along the two main rivers (Mpassa and Lewou) for gorillas monitoring. Over the course of the year, they recorded more than 35 different species, including aardvarks, leopards, pangolins, chimpanzees, forest elephants and red river hogs, among others.
Forest elephants and red river hogs along the Mpassa River, caught on a camera-trap.
## **Infrastructure works**
The team worked on the road between the two camps. A river changed its course, which resulted in part of the road becoming flooded and swampy. Work continued for several months but was frequently interrupted by other activities and floods due to heavy rain.
The team also worked on the roads leading to the park twice in 2024, which required a weekly mission each time.
The tents platforms needed some maintenance on the support poles and some planks were changed. The whole structure was treated against termites.
Some sheet metal was changed on the roof of one of the accommodations at the base camp. Maintenance of the mirador included treatment of the wood against termites and the clearance of the surrounding areas.
In December the team built the release bridge for the future release of the Djongo group from the island.
The old helipad near the base camp was flooded by a diverted river, so a new site was chosen near the staff camp. It has been regularly maintained since its creation. The former landing zone opposite the island has also been reopened and regularly maintained.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Indonesia – Java & Sumatra**
**Goals**
Combatting illegal wildlife trade
Population reinforcements
Supporting habitat protection
**Combatting illegal wildlife trade** : Support to the government of Indonesia to combat illegal wildlife trade through rescue and management of traded primates, and associated education and awareness-raising activities.
**Population reinforcements** : The Indonesia Programme has released more captive animals than any other Aspinall Foundation project, with over 290 gibbons, langurs and siamangs released since 2012. Most of these are primates rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, whilst several zoo-born primates have been incorporated into the release programme. Release sites are chosen where releases will have positive impacts on local populations by reinforcing small, isolated populations and by improved site protection.
**Habitat protection** : Supporting the protection of Mt Tilu Nature Reserve (West Java), Coban Talun and Kondang Merak Protected Forests (East Java), and Isau-Isau Wildlife Reserve (South Sumatra), (combined total of c26,000ha / 65,000 acres). Priority species include siamangs, Javan gibbons, Javan ebony langurs, Javan grizzled langurs, and Critically Endangered Javan leopards and Sunda pangolins.
## **1.1 Background**
Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest diversity of primate species in the world. Of the 600 or so primate species (and subspecies) in the world, approximately 64 species (and subspecies) are found living in their natural habitats in Indonesia. The Aspinall Foundation (TAF), as one of the organizations committed to wildlife conservation efforts worldwide, collaborates with the Indonesian government, specifically the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut), in conservation efforts for protected primate species, particularly the Javan ebony langur (“lutung”, _Trachypithecus auratus_ and _T. mauritius_ ), Javan gibbon ( _Hylobates moloch_ ), Javan grizzled langur (“Surili”, _Presbytis comata_ ), and Sumatran Siamang ( _Symphalangus syndactylus_ ). Since 2011, through primate rehabilitation efforts, animals rescued from illegal trade and captivity have been released back into their natural habitats. Since the collaboration began in 2011, a total of 404 primates have been successfully rehabilitated from surrendered or confiscated cases, including 269 Javan ebony langurs, 81
Javan gibbons, 21 Javan grizzled langurs, and 34 siamangs. Additionally, there have been 53 repatriated primates from the United Kingdom up to this year, including 27 Javan ebony langurs, 14 Javan gibbons, and 12 Javan grizzled langurs. Of these, 293 individuals have been successfully released back into their natural habitats, comprising 212 Javan ebony langurs, 60 Javan gibbons, 17 Javan grizzled langurs, and 4 siamangs.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
To ensure the smooth management of primate rehabilitation cooperation activities, TAF supports the provision of facilities and infrastructure, trained human resources in accordance with applicable standard procedures, and equipment and animal feed that are appropriate and guaranteed in terms of quality and quantity during rehabilitation. Currently, TAF has supported the construction of Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers (PRS) in three UPTs (West Java, East Java, and South Sumatra) with quarantine enclosures, socialization enclosures, PRS management offices, animal clinics, animal feed kitchens, and management staff at each project location.
## **1.2 Objectives and Benefits**
The objective of the collaboration is to support the rehabilitation of primates confiscated from illegal trade before they are released back into their natural habitat. It is hoped that through this collaboration, the animals will return to their habitat in good health and ready to live as wild animals and reproduce in the wild. In addition to primate rehabilitation efforts, TAF-IP also supports public awareness campaigns and capacity building for partners in primate rehabilitation management and other conservation aspects. Together with local partners supported by TAF-IP, additional supporting activities are also being pursued, such as community empowerment around the forest areas where rehabilitated animals are released into the wild.
## **1.3 Location and Object of Cooperation**
The program cooperation between the Ministry of Forestry/BBKSDA West Java and TAF-IP in West Java was established in 2010 with the establishment of the Java Primate Rehabilitation Center (PRSPJ) in the Tikukur mountain protected forest block, with an administrative area in Alamendah Village, Rancabali District, Bandung Regency, West Java. PRS-PJ began operations in 2011 at a location managed by Perhutani, with a total area of 11,820 ha. PRS-PJ is one of the Special Conservation Institutions (LKK) in West Java, focusing on conservation cooperation for protected primates in West Java and endemic West Java primates such as the West Javan langur ( _Trachypithecus mauritius_ ), Javan gibbon ( _Hylobates moloch_ ), and Javan grizzled langur ( _Presbytis comata_ ).
In 2011, the East Java Langur Rehabilitation Center (PRS-LJ) was also established in Plot 41C, with its administrative area in Tulungrejo Village, Bumiaji District, Batu City, East Java. The PRS-LJ is adjacent to the Coban Talun Nature Tourism Area managed by Econique, with a total area of approximately 4 hectares. The PRS-LJ is one of the conservation centers in East Java focused on the conservation of protected and endemic primates in East Java, such as the East Javan langur ( _Trachypithecus auratus_ ).
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
Then in 2023, the Siamang Animal Rehabilitation Center (PRS-Siamang) was established in the Punti Kayu TWA protection block, with an administrative area in Alang-alang Lebar District, Palembang City, South Sumatra. The PRS-Siamang is located within the same area as the Punti Kayu Resort office, with a total area of approximately 5.97 hectares. The PRS-Siamang is one of the conservation centers in South Sumatra focused on the conservation of protected and endemic primates of Sumatra, specifically the Siamang ( _Symphalangus syndactylus_ ).
Map showing the location of the TAF-IP Animal Rehabilitation Centres in Indonesia.
This TAF-IP focuses on rehabilitation and release, with release sites used in this program being Nature Reserves (CA), Protected Forests (HL), National Parks (TN), and Wildlife Reserves (SM) located in West Java, East Java, and South Sumatra. Some of the areas used for release sites in West Java include the Gunung Tilu Nature Reserve, the Situ Patengan Nature Reserve, the Gunung Burangrang Nature Reserve, and the Kanaan Protected Forest. In East Java, the areas used are Coban Talun Protected Forest, Malang Selatan Protected Forest, Pulau Sempu Nature Reserve, Pulau Nusabarung Nature Reserve, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and Raden Soerjo Forest Park. In South Sumatra, the area used is Isau-Isau Wildlife Sanctuary.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **II. TAF-IP PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES**
Based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MSP) between the Directorate General of KSDAE and The Aspinall Foundation Indonesia Program in the previous period, there were three areas of cooperation agreed upon, including:
0 Supporting the Ministry of Forestry's efforts in the in-situ and ex-situ conservation of protected primate species (Javan ebony langur, Javan gibbon, Javan girzzled langur, and siamang);
0 Supporting the Ministry of Forestry's efforts in increasing the capacity of human resources in the field of conservation in relevant agencies and communities;
0 Supporting the Ministry of Forestry's efforts to raise awareness and involve the community in the conservation of protected primates.
## **2.1 Programs and Activities at the Java Primate Rehabilitation Center, West Java**
The programs and activities at the Java Primate Rehabilitation Center (PRS-PJ), West Java, focus on rehabilitation and release. The following is an explanation of the programs and activities at PRS-PJ.
## **2.1.1 Primate Rescue**
During 2024, PRS-PJ and the West Java BBKSDA team rescued 16 primates that had been illegally bred or traded, including 8 Javan ebony langurs, 2 Javan gibbons, 1 Javan grizzed langur, and 5 siamangs. Additionally, by the end of 2024, 10 primates were repatriated from the United Kingdom (3 Javan ebony langurs and 7 Javan gibbons). Some non-endemic primates are translocated to the relevant PRS for release into their natural habitats.
Primate rescue at PRS-PJ, West Java.
## **2.1.2 Animal Rehabilitation**
Primate rehabilitation activities, both in the quarantine and socialization areas at PRS-PJ during 2024, were carried out routinely as usual.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## a. Animal Health Program
During 2024, MCU was carried out in accordance with SOP, and feces were examined to check for endoparasite infections in animals on a routine basis. The MCU results for primates at PRS- PJ all indicated that they were free of viruses. Fecal examinations on some animals were positive for the parasitic worms _Trichuris_ sp. and _Strongyloides_ sp. The treatment administered was deworming medication for infected animals, specifically Panacur 10% containing febendazole (100 mg/ml) for three consecutive days.
Animal Health Program at PRS-PJ, West Java. Medical treatment of a Javan ebony langur suspected of having tetanus, which led to its death, and treatment with enrofloxacin injections for Salmonella.
## b. Environment Enrichment
Environment enrichment (EE) is one of the efforts made to train and restore the instincts of rehabilitated animals so that their natural behaviour returns (the basic behaviour of animals in the wild). During 2024, environment enrichment was carried out on primates at PRS-PJ, as in the examples below. Environmental enrichment activities at PRS-PJ, West Java.
## c. Animal Rehabilitation Facility Maintenance
Maintenance and repair of facilities such as animal enclosures and the surrounding area of the PRS-PJ are routine activities carried out to keep all facilities well-maintained and functioning properly.
Maintenance of Animal Rehabilitation Facilities at PRS-PJ, West Java.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.1.3 Release and Post-Release Monitoring**
The release of rehabilitated animals is carried out in accordance with the operational standards and protocols of the IUCN guidelines for primate rehabilitation and the protocols applicable at the Ministry of Forestry related to conservation institutions. After the animals are released, monitoring is carried out for at least four months on a regular basis if the animals can still be tracked by the team.
## a. Animal Release
In 2024, TAF-IP West Java together with BBKSDA West Java conducted three animal release activities, namely in May (3 Javan ebony langurs), July (1 Javan gibbon and 1 Javan grizzled langur), and November (1 Javan ebony langur). All release activities in 2024 were carried out in the Gunung Tilu Nature Reserve. From 2014 to the present, 108 primates have been released into forest areas in West Java, contributing to the increase in wild populations (Table 1).
Release of animals at PRS-PJ, West Java, 2024.
Table 1. Animal releases in West Java, 2014 to 2024, and births in the wild.
|**Species**|**No.**|**Birth**|
|---|---|---|
|Javan ebony langur|31|4|
|Javan Gibbon|60|4|
|Javan grizzled langur|17|5|
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## b. Post-Release Monitoring
Post-release monitoring activities are carried out as long as the animals can still be monitored. The following are the results of post-release monitoring activities in 2024 in the Gunung Tilu CA area and the Situ Patengan CA area.
Table 2. Post-Release Monitoring of PRS-PJ, West Java.
||**Release location**|**Species**|
|---|---|---|
|CA Gunung Tilu|CA Gunung Tilu|Javan Gibbon, Javan ebony langur, Javan grizzled
langur|
|CA Situ Patengan|CA Situ Patengan|Javan ebony langur|
|CA Gunun|CA GunungBurangrang|Javangrizzled langur, no longer monitored|
|HL Kanaan|HL Kanaan|Javan ebony langur, no longer monitored|
In general, during post-release monitoring, the animals were observed to be active (playing, exploring, and sunbathing) or consuming natural food. The following is documentation of the results of post-release monitoring in the Gunung Tilu and Situ Patengan conservation areas.
Monitoring of animals after release into the wild by PRS-PJ, West Java.
## **2.1.4 Public Awareness**
Public awareness activities through educational activities are carried out to introduce and encourage the public to be more concerned about animals and their environment, especially primates. In 2024, a total of 35 educational activities were carried out (elementary school, junior high school, high school, university, and general public).
PRS-PJ Awareness Activities, West Java.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.1.5 Human Resource Capacity Building and Community Involvement**
We open opportunities for community involvement, both from partner agencies such as BKSDA and students from various universities in Indonesia, to participate in efforts to conserve endemic primates in West Java. One of the activities we carry out is research and student internships. Additionally, we facilitate local communities in training activities and participate in joint patrols between the West Java BKSDA and the Community Forestry Partners of CA Gunung Tilu. In 2024, 11 institutions conducted internships, 4 institutions participated in practical training and research, 5 MMP training sessions were held, and 14 patrols were conducted.
Human Resource Capacity Building and Community Engagement Activities at PRS-PJ, West
Java.
## **2.2 Programs and Activities at the Javan Langur Rehabilitation Centre, East Java**
The programs and activities at the Javan Langur Rehabilitation Centre (PRS-LJ) in East Java focus on rehabilitation and release. The following is an explanation of the programs and activities at PRS-LJ.
## **2.2.1 Primate Rescue**
During 2024, PRS-LJ, together with the East Java BBKSDA team, rescued seven East Javan langurs that had been kept in captivity or traded illegally. The following is documentation of the rescue of East Javan langurs in 2024.
Animal rescue at PRS-LJ, East Java.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.2.2 Animal Rehabilitation**
Primate rehabilitation activities, both in the quarantine and socialization areas at PRS-LJ during 2024, were carried out routinely as usual.
## a. Animal Health Program
During 2024, MCU was carried out in accordance with SOP, and faeces were examined to check for endoparasite infections in animals on a routine basis. The MCU results for primates at PRS-LJ all indicated that they were free of viruses. Faecal examinations on some animals were positive for Trichuris sp. parasites. Treatment involved administering deworming medication to infected animals, specifically Panacur 10% containing febendazole (100 mg/ml) for three consecutive days.
Animal Health Program at PRS-LJ, East Java.
## b. Environment Enrichment
Environment enrichment (EE) is one of the efforts made to train and restore the instincts of rehabilitated animals so that their natural behaviour returns (the basic behaviour of animals in the wild).
Environmental enrichment activities at PRS-LJ, East Java
## c. Animal Rehabilitation Facility Maintenance
Maintenance and repair of facilities such as animal enclosures and the surrounding area of the PRS-PJ are routine activities carried out to keep all facilities well-maintained and functioning properly.
Maintenance of Animal Rehabilitation Facilities at PRS-LJ, East Java
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.2.3 Release and Post-Release Monitoring**
The release of rehabilitated animals is carried out in accordance with the operational standards and protocols of the IUCN guidelines for primate rehabilitation and the protocols applicable at the Ministry of Forestry related to conservation institutions. After the animals are released, monitoring is carried out for at least four months on a regular basis if the animals can still be tracked by the team.
## a. Wildlife Release
In 2024, TAF-IP East Java together with BBKSDA East Java conducted four wildlife release activities, namely in February (twice, with one animal released at each location), July (five animals), and October (five animals). The 2024 release activities were carried out in the Pulau Sempu Nature Reserve and Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. To date, 181 East Javan langurs have been released into forest areas in East Java, and it has been observed that they have increased the population in the wild with recorded births.
Releases at PRS-LJ, East Java. b.
## Post-Release Monitoring
Post-release monitoring activities are carried out as long as the animals can still be monitored. In general, during post-release monitoring, the animals are observed to be active (playing, exploring, and sunbathing) or consuming natural food. The following is documentation of post-release monitoring activities in 2024 in the Coban Talun conservation area.
Post-release monitoring of PRS-LJ, East Java.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.2.4 Public Awareness**
Public awareness activities through educational activities are carried out to introduce and encourage the public to be more concerned about animals and their environment, especially primates. In 2024, a total of 20 educational activities were carried out (elementary school, junior high school, high school, university, and general public).
Awareness raising in PRS-LJ, East Java.
## **2.2.5 Human Resource Capacity Building and Community Involvement**
We open opportunities for community involvement, both from partner agencies such as BBKSDA and students from various universities in Indonesia to participate in efforts to conserve endemic primates in East Java. One of the activities we carry out is research and student internships. In 2024, three institutions conducted internships, four institutions conducted research, and three training sessions were held.
Human Resource Capacity Building and Community Engagement Activities at PRS-LJ, East
Java.
## **2.3 Programs and Activities at the Siamang Animal Rehabilitation Centre, South Sumatra** The programs
and activities at the Siamang Animal Rehabilitation Centre (PRS-Siamang), South Sumatra, focus on rehabilitation and release. The following is an explanation of the programs and activities at PRS-Siamang.
## **2.3.1 Primate Rescue**
During 2024, PRS-Siamang, together with the South Sumatra BBKSDA team, rescued 16 Siamangs that had been illegally kept.
Animal rescue activities at PRS-Siamang, South Sumatra.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.3.2 Animal Rehabilitation**
Primate rehabilitation activities, both in the quarantine area and socialization cage facilities at PRS-Siamang during 2024, were carried out routinely as usual.
## a. Animal Health Program
During 2024, MCU was conducted in accordance with SOP, and faeces examinations were routinely performed to check for endoparasite infections in animals. The MCU results for primates at PRS-Siamang all indicated that they were free of viruses. Faecal examinations on some animals at PRS-Siamang were positive for the parasite Trichuris sp. Treatment involved administering anthelmintic medication to infected animals, specifically Panacur 10% containing febendazole (100 mg/ml) for three consecutive days. In addition, in 2024 there were cases of Siamang suspected of lymphoma, melanoma, keratolytic agents, or bacterial infections; cases of pneumonia and chronic malnutrition leading to death; Siamang suspected of dislocation of the forearm, so it was bandaged for immobilization and given meloxicam orally.
Animal Health Program at PRS-Siamang, South Sumatra.
## b. Environmental Enrichment (Environment Enrichment)
Environmental enrichment (EE) is one of the efforts made to train and restore the instincts of rehabilitated animals so that their natural behaviour returns (the basic behaviour of animals in the wild).
Environmental enrichment activities at PRS-Siamang, South Sumatra.
## c. Animal Rehabilitation Facility Maintenance
Maintenance and repair of facilities such as animal enclosures and the surrounding area of the PRS-PJ are routine activities carried out to keep all facilities well-maintained and functioning properly.
Maintenance activities at the animal rehabilitation facility at PRS-Siamang, South Sumatra.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.3.3 Release and Post-Release Monitoring**
The release of rehabilitated animals is carried out in accordance with the operational standards and protocols of the IUCN guidelines for primate rehabilitation and the protocols applicable at the Ministry of Forestry related to conservation institutions. After the animals are released, monitoring is carried out for at least four months on a regular basis if the animals can still be tracked by the team.
## a. Animal Release
In 2024, TAF-IP South Sumatra together with BKSDA South Sumatra conducted two animal release activities, one in June (1 siamang) and one in September (1 siamang). All release activities in 2024 were carried out in the Isau-Isau Wildlife Reserve. To date, four siamangs have been released into the forest area in South Sumatra.
Release activities at PRS-Siamang, South Sumatra.
## b. Post-Release Monitoring
Post-release monitoring activities are carried out as long as the animals can still be monitored. Post-release monitoring activities in 2024 in the SM Isau-Isau area focussed on the released siamangs. Generally, during post-release monitoring, the animals are observed engaging in activities (playing, foraging, and sunbathing) or consuming natural food.
## **2.3.4 Community Awareness**
Community awareness activities through educational programs are conducted to introduce and encourage the community to be more concerned about wildlife and their environment, particularly primates. In 2024, a total of 5 educational activities were conducted (at elementary schools and universities).
Awareness-raising activities at PRS-Siamang, South Sumatra.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **2.3.5 Human Resource Capacity Building and Community Involvement**
We open opportunities for community involvement, both from partner agencies such as the BKSDA and students from various universities in Indonesia, to participate in efforts to conserve endemic primates in South Sumatra. One of the activities we carry out is research and student internships. In 2024, one institution conducted an internship, one institution conducted research, and one training session was held.
Human Resource Capacity Building and Community Engagement Activities at PRS-Siamang.
## **CONCLUSION**
In general, TAF-IP activities at each UPT focus on rehabilitation and release into the wild. The activities carried out by TAF-IP on a regular basis are at the rehabilitation stage and post- release in the release area. This is the report on TAF-IP activities. This annual activity report is routinely prepared and submitted to the UPT of the Directorate General of KSDAE at each TAF project location in Indonesia as an administrative obligation for TAF in accordance with the terms of the MSP cooperation agreement.
**Appendix 1.** TAF-IP Animal Rescue (Illegal Keeping and Trade) annual summary.
||||**West**|**East**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Grizzled**|**Ebony**|**Ebony**|||
||**Gibbon**|**langur**|**langur**|**langur**|**Siamang**|**Total**|
|2011|6|0|4|18|0|28|
|2012|7|1|0|1|0|9|
|2013|2|1|3|3|0|9|
|2014|1|4|1|13|0|19|
|2015|4|0|4|14|0|22|
|2016|9|0|10|16|0|35|
|2017|8|3|2|14|0|27|
|2018|6|2|8|17|0|33|
|2019|5|2|8|19|2|36|
|2020|7|4|2|16|0|29|
|2021|5|0|4|25|0|34|
|2022|7|1|6|19|0|33|
|2023|12|2|4|23|11|52|
|2024|2|1|8|7|20|39|
|**Total**|**81**|**21**|**64**|**205**|**34**|**404**|
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
**Appendix 2.** TAF-IP Repatriation of Primates annual summary.
||**Gibbon**|**East Ebony**
**langur**|**Grizzled**|**langur**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2011|0|0||0|0|
|2012|0|0||0|0|
|2013|1|6||0|7|
|2014|0|3||5|8|
|2015|0|0||7|7|
|2016|0|15||0|15|
|2017|6|0||0|6|
|2018|0|0||0|0|
|2019|0|0||0|0|
|2020|0|0||0|0|
|2021|0|0||0|0|
|2022|0|0||0|0|
|2023|0|0||0|0|
|2024|7|3||0|10|
|**Total**|**14**|**27**||**12**|**53**|
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Appendix 3.** TAF-IP Primate releases annual summary.
||||**West**|**East**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Grizzled**|**Ebony**|**Ebony**|||
||**Gibbons**|**langurs**|**langurs**|**langurs**|**Siamang**|**Total**|
|2012|0|0|0|12|0|12|
|2013|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|2014|4|0|0|11|0|15|
|2015|4|5|0|14|0|23|
|2016|2|5|4|15|0|26|
|2017|12|2|4|18|0|36|
|2018|10|0|4|8|0|22|
|2019|7|1|1|15|0|24|
|2020|2|1|2|16|0|21|
|2021|7|0|3|19|0|29|
|2022|7|2|0|16|0|25|
|2023|3|0|9|23|2|37|
|2024|2|1|4|14|2|23|
|**Total**|**60**|**17**|**31**|**181**|**4**|**293**|
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Madagascar**
## **Goals**
Saving the greater bamboo lemur
Conserving other Critically Endangered and endemic species
Developing community-based conservation and habitat restoration
**Saving the greater bamboo lemur** : Long-term species-level conservation programme developed for Critically Endangered greater bamboo lemurs, resulting in an increase in the known wild population from under 100 to over 1,000 in a decade. Our projects now protect over half the total known population of greater bamboo lemurs.
**Conserving other Critically Endangered and endemic species** : Species-level conservation programmes developed for Critically Endangered crowned sifakas and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Site-level conservation activities implemented for other Critically Endangered lemurs including indri, diademed sifakas and mongoose lemurs, and other Critically Endangered species such as Madagascar fish eagle, Madagascar big-headed freshwater turtle, and the Damba Mipentina cichlid fish.
**Community-based conservation and habitat restoration** : Many of these Critically Endangered priority species occur sympatrically so we have been able to implement highly cost-effective ecosystem-level projects in three main biogeographic regions of Madagascar, to conserve and restore critical habitats through development of community-based resource management agreements, designation of habitat conservation zones, reforestation, education, and rural development micro-projects (combined area c60,000 ha / 150,000 acres).
## **Focal species**
Eastern rainforest zone, Critically Endangered lemurs: Greater bamboo lemur ( _Prolemur simus_ ), Blackand-white ruffed lemur ( _Varecia variegata_ ), Indri ( _Indri indri_ ), Diademed sifaka ( _Propithecus diadema_ ). Western central dry-deciduous forest zone, Critically Endangered lemurs: Crowned sifaka ( _Propithecus coronatus_ ), Mongoose lemur ( _Eulemur mongoz_ )
Western central freshwater wetlands, Critically Endangered birds, reptiles and cichlid fish: Madagascar fish eagle ( _Haliaeetus vociferoides_ ), Madagascar big-headed turtle ( _Erymnochelys madagascariensis_ ), Damba Mipentina fish ( _Paretroplus maculatus_ )
## **Donors**
The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar team, working with the UK office, continue to apply for grants for our core project activities. For 2024, our work has been supported by two grant funders:
- The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is supporting our work in CAZ West.
- IUCN Save Our Species (Fondation Segré) has supported us in a year-long project focused on the fishing communities of Maevatanana /Ambato-Boeny (MAB).
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Social outreach and Education**
Celebration days continue to provide an effective route to reach people on a wide scale. This year, as part of our project in CAZ, we celebrated World Environment Day in Sahanomana on June 20th, 2024. The event was attended by approximately 113 adults and 145 schoolchildren, and provided us with the opportunity to carry out additional awareness- raising on issues such as climate change.
Awareness-raising events are also valuable for encouraging gender equality, and, as part of our project in Maevatanana /Ambato-Boeny, women were encouraged to participate with demonstrations of folklore and traditional skills.
In Andriantantely we raised awareness among most of the villagers and schoolchildren near our sites. We re-explained the importance of lemur conservation, including their ecological, economic, and cultural benefits. More than 310 people (VOI members, women's associations, soccer teams, parents) and approximately 578 students were reached.
In addition, across all our project sites, we continued our annual distribution of conservation- themed materials such as notebooks for schoolchildren and calendars for adults, and our team hold frequent community meetings to support awareness-raising and ensure local people are fairly represented and to maintain communication.
Discussion and awareness raising with the community in Anosikary (left), and a Women and Girl Association from Komadio participating in an awareness-raising session (right)
## **Conservation Action**
## **Rangers**
Our year-long project in Maevatanana/Ambato-Boeny included training 10 local men as rangers to conduct patrols and monitor compliance with the closed fishing season. Thanks to their efforts a reduction of 50% was achieved in breaches of the regulations during the 2024 closed season for fishing.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
10 rangers were patrolling and monitoring 4 days per week within the transfer of management in the CAZ West area throughout the year. The first two days of each week, the patrols focused on biodiversity monitoring, and the last two days, they focused on habitat monitoring. All observations are recorded, including precise locations using GPS. Infractions observed include fire, forest clearance and damage to bamboo, which is a crucial food source for bamboo lemurs. Details of the threats and pressures observed are provided to the relevant VOI even if the offenders are not identified. The VOI reports on the infractions during their General Assembly, providing an opportunity to show not only that patrols are recording transgressions and offenders can face penalties, but also to reinforce the messaging about illegal activities and the importance of habitat/wildlife protection.
Although limited funding has been available for Andriantantely, during 2024 the team have continued to work with the local communities and 25 local rangers have carried out some patrols in the area. Results of the patrols indicate that previous conservation efforts have had an effect as the numbers of lemur traps has reduced and one of the lemur species, Varecia variegata, has extended its range as a result. Whilst the lemur populations overall are relatively stable unfortunately, some species, such as Indri and Diademed sifaka have reduced in number, most likely due to an increase in small-scale illegal logging and natural predators such as fossa.
Following training the rangers in MAB receive official recognition and are given a name tag with the signature of DIREDD (left). Ranger patrol in MAB recording illegal tree cutting (right).
TAF Madagascar Country Director intervenes to prevent a fire in the CAZ West area (left). CAZ West patrollers identify areas of illegally cut forest (right).
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
CAZ West patrollers use smartphones and GPS units to record and report illegal activities (left). Patrollers observe evidence of damage to bamboo in CAZ West (right).
## **Freshwater Fish**
Our project in Maevatanana/Ambato-Boeny concentrated on the support of endemic freshwater fish species, which are in serious decline due to the threats from over-fishing, including the use of fine mesh nets, and the wide-scale introduction of non-native species. During the year, local women were trained to make regulation-compliant fishing nets and 450 nets were distributed to local fishers.
Another element of the project was the establishment of 4 ‘no fishing’ lakes which were populated with the by-catch donated from local fishers of native and endemic fish species. During 2024, there were donations of 905 fish across 4 endemic and 1 native species including two Critically Endangered species, _Paretroplus maculatus_ (“damba mipentina”) and _Paretroplus menarambo_ .
Local women employed to make traditional fishing nets (left). Critically Endangered endemic cichlid fish _Paretroplus maculatus_ (right).
## **Local Community Development**
Our projects in Madagascar are local community-led, and we focus on developing the skills of local people to enable them to transition away from environmentally damaging subsistence lifestyles. In addition, climate change is increasingly impacting rural communities, and sustainability can only be achieved with the adoption of climate-smart, ecosystem-based adaptation techniques. We are working to reduce the anthropogenic threats to biodiversity and vulnerable habitats by supporting local community development.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Agroforestry and Climate-Smart Agriculture**
In Maevatanana/Ambato-Boeny we supported the local communities to produce their own compost to reduce reliance on harmful chemicals and to improve soil quality to increase productivity. We also encouraged them to diversify their crops with a wider variety of vegetables.
In CAZ West, as part of the larger multi-year project supported by CEPF we have over 200 community members participating in an agroforestry project that includes climate-smart agricultural training with establishing agroforestry plots to grow a diverse range of vegetables alongside fruit trees, cash crops like coffee, and native trees with beneficial uses such as medicinal.
In Andriantantely, although there has not been an externally-funded project in the area during 2024, the TAF Madagascar team has maintained support for the local communities through advice on sustainable market gardening and the provision of 2,106 packets of seeds across 6 varieties of vegetables to the 351 VOI members and women's associations.
Using a shredder to make compost (left). Mulching vegetable plots to retain moisture (right).
## **Teacher Training and School Market Gardens**
The younger generation are the decision makers of the future. We aim to encourage Environmental Education to become mainstream in the school curriculum to instil the importance of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources at an early age. To achieve this, we work alongside local NGO Fanambinantsoa to train schoolteachers in the subject. Our project in CAZ West has regular training sessions and 50 teachers from 12 primary and secondary schools have benefited during 2024. As part of the school programme practical agricultural skills are also taught to the teachers and children, with each school establishing and maintaining market gardens, the produce from which can be used to provide nutritious school meals. In CAZ West approximately 1,200 schoolchildren, and in Maevatanana/AmbatoBoeny 411 schoolchildren, participated in these activities.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
Training schoolteachers (left). School market garden (right).
## **Forest Restoration**
Habitat loss, mainly due to human activities, is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss in Madagascar. To help mitigate the problem we carry out extensive forest restoration at our project sites. During 2024 in Maevatanana/Ambato-Boeny 4 tree nurseries were established and managed by the local community, with 44,000 saplings being raised for transplantation in degraded areas of forest. In CAZ West, over 10,000 saplings were raised and women with weaving skills were taught to weave plant pots from biodegradable plant material to allow the use of plastic plant pots to be phased out. In Andriantantely it was possible to restore 10 hectares of degraded forest with 67 native species of saplings.
Climate change is increasingly having an impact on Madagascar and the reforestation programme has seen lower germination and reduced survival rates as a consequence of changes in rainfall patterns and increased heat.
Tree Nursery (left) and transplanting saplings (right) in Maevatanana/Ambato-Boeny.
Area of degraded forest in CAZ West to be restored (left). Local women in CAZ West make
biodegradable plant pots (right).
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Southern Africa**
**Goals** Wildlife rescue Animal rewilding Landscape rewilding
**Wildlife Rescue** : The Aspinall Foundation is a founding member of WeWild Africa, a registered nonprofit company in South Africa. Through WeWild Africa, The Aspinall Foundation facilitates or supports many in-country wildlife rescues, often resulting in subsequent release. During 2024 we translocated lions and leopards in danger of culling or killing and supported the development of the Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, focussing on rescuing and rewilding smaller species.
**Animal rewilding** : Captive populations in South Africa and globally can contribute to reintroduction and other conservation projects in southern Africa. Zoo-born cheetahs, a brown hyena and a honey badger have already been rewilded, and we continue to monitor their progress. Numerous species held in captive conditions in South Africa have also been rewilded through the collaborative efforts of WeWild Africa. Of particular note during
2024 was the rewilding of the last remaining elephant in Pretoria zoo, a significant landmark in rewilding from captivity. Baboo the tiger is also notable; rescued from the illegal pet trade in Pakistan, a collaborative effort with the Pakistan government resulted
in Baboo’s initial rehabilitation in Pakistan followed by translocation to natural habitat in a sanctuary in South Africa. We continue to provide care for the four lions sent from the UK to natural sanctuary environments in South Africa.
**Landscape rewilding** : A co-management agreement has been developed with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) for the management of Loskop Dam Nature Reserve (23,500ha / 60,000 acres), a globally-renowned Key Biodiversity Area, home to reintroduced white rhinos and Critically Endangered Middelburg cycads. There is potential for an expansion project to protect another 30,000 ha (75,000 acres), and to provide connectivity to a wider landscape of protected areas. We are supporting the reintroduction of black-footed cats to the Reserve, and developing long-term plans to reintroduce additional lost megafauna such as black rhinos, cheetahs, elephants and lions. WeWild Africa also works with numerous private reserves in southern Africa to support restoration of local populations of endangered species, through critical interventions such as de-horning rhinos to reduce poaching threats, or through direct translocations to reintroduce or reinforce small populations. Highlights include our collaboration with African Parks to translocate 70 rhinos as part of their Rhino Rewild Initiative, and the relocation of 163 white-backed and cape vultures in one momentous operation.
## **Cheetahs**
We supported the Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative in their efforts to manage cheetahs through strategic translocations and genetic management. Cheetahs are carefully monitored and translocated between reserves to prevent inbreeding and local extinctions. Thanks to the success of the initiative, the metapopulation is now in a position to provide cheetahs to supplement declining populations elsewhere in Africa.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
We have provided additional, focussed support to the cheetah program at Mount Camdeboo Private Reserve. We continue to monitor the successful rewilding of Nairo, the male cheetah born in the UK and brought to South Africa by The Aspinall Foundation. His coalition with the male Molopo continues to be strong, and we replaced both their VHF tracking collars this year as the batteries were approaching depletion. Our team at Mount Camdeboo also successfully tracked Ava and her six cubs, sired by Nairo. Ava originated from a captive facility in South Africa, and the successful rewilding and reproduction of Ava and Nairo is
contributing valuable genetic diversity to South Africa’s metapopulation.
Given the success of the rewilding of Nairo, zoo-born in the UK, WeWild helped facilitate the rewilding of a zoo-born female cheetah from Australia. A collaboration with the Wild Cat Conservation Centre in Sydney, WeWild Africa, The Metapopulation Initiative, and Mziki Private Game Reserve, resulted in the successful translocation and rewilding of Edie, born in Australia at the Wild Cat Conservation Centre. Edie’s journey, characterised by extensive rewilding preparation and post-release monitoring, highlights again the potential for captive- born animals to bolster wild populations.
## **Lions**
We continue to support the adaptation of Azi and Zazu, and Zemo and Zala, all zoo-born in the UK, to their new lives in natural sanctuary settings in South Africa. Azi and Zazu were moved to a new naturalisation enclosure, built as a non-breeding enclosure with the intention to provide captive lions in South Africa with a better way of life in a wilder environment, allowing them to live a life of dignity.
There is a real urgency for a meaningful alternative to the captive lion industry to be provided. In a recent presentation to parliament, the National SPCA provided hard hitting findings. In a number of the 127 captive lion facilities inspected in 2022, the NSPCA found inadequate fencing and shelter, unhygienic conditions, inadequate fresh water, overstocking, inadequate diet, insufficient food, incompatible animals, piles of faecal mass, no environment enrichment or a lack of veterinary care.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
With over 8,000 captive lions in South Africa and more and more of the captive facilities closing down due to changing legislation, there will be increasing numbers of lions requiring a safe home and a better future. There are many farmers who have smaller parcels of land available on their properties and they could be willing to establish larger enclosures for lions if there is an example of a project that has worked. The intention of this project is not to breed lions in larger areas but rather to allow captive lions to live better lives in a better, wilder environment. This may not be possible for all of the lions in captivity but where landowners or conservation organisations have the means and willingness to provide some of the captive lions with more space and a wilder life, they should be encouraged to do so. The objectives of the naturalisation enclosure project are specified as: a) to provide a natural environment for a small nonbreeding group of up to five captive lions to improve their welfare; b) to implement a hybrid feeding programme which will hopefully result in the lions being able to hunt for themselves; c) to provide a Case Study of what can be achieved in creating more space for the lions; d) to protect some of the last remaining natural land parcels in the region with a core aim of contributing to associated species; e) to create employment opportunities for local communities; f) to establish a world-class facility for the lions and to establish operational plans for other projects to utilise; g) to provide a safe, natural feeding space for local vulture populations; h) to document the process and the progress of the lions in a naturalisation enclosure; and i) to be a showcase project for the Free State Province on how captive lions could be managed. Progress towards these objectives will be assessed periodically.
## **Rhinos**
One of the main ways we protect rhinos is through dehorning and collaring, to reduce poaching risk. Dehorning is safe, painless, and has no lasting impact on the rhino’s health or behaviour. Each horn is meticulously documented, weighed, measured and DNA-sampled to prevent illegal trade. Despite its resource-intensive nature, with each procedure costing up to $1,000, dehorning remains a critical strategy to mitigate poaching risks. However, rhino horns grow back at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per year, meaning dehorning must be repeated every 12 to 24 months.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
At Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, WeWild Africa has been dehorning rhinos annually since 2021, in collaboration with MTPA and supported by DCM Surfaces. This annual event is now an integral part of our co-management activities for Loskop. In May 2024, we dehorned and collared the last two remaining white rhinos at Lionspruit Game Reserve, both males. We met with reserve management to review anti-poaching strategies and explore the possibility of introducing a female rhino for future breeding. Though Lionspruit spans just 1,500 hectares, it supports a rich array of wildlife, and a longterm goal is to rebuild a small, self-sustaining rhino population here.
In September 2024 we undertook the annual dehorning of the entire rhino population at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, a 4,000-hectare sanctuary nestled between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Rietvlei stands as a vital refuge for South Africa’s wildlife amidst one of the most densely populated regions in Southern Africa. Home to over 1,600 large mammals, including rhinos, cheetahs, zebras, and 400 bird species, its urban surroundings make it a prime target for potential poaching.
We also assisted with the annual dehorning and collaring of the black and white rhinos at Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy in Zimbabwe. Internationally recognised for its pioneering efforts, Imire began its black rhino breeding programme in the 1980s with seven orphaned calves, leading to many births and successful releases into the Zambezi Valley. Today Imire protects a healthy population of black and white rhinos in secure, free-roaming sanctuaries. With poaching still a threat, their focus remains on monitored habitats and strong community partnerships that support local livelihoods through conservation.
## **Rhino translocations**
In partnership with African Parks and other collaborators, we translocated 70 white rhinos during three rewilding missions in 2024, as part of African Parks Rhino Rewild Initiative – a
10-year plan to rewild 2000 white rhinos across Africa. The first translocation was of 40 rhinos to the Munywana Conservancy in KwaZulu-Natal, the first step in building a secure and thriving rhino population within this conservancy. The second translocation was to Dinokeng Game Reserve, supplementing the existing population in this 19,000-hectare reserve in Gauteng. The third translocation of the year was to a conservation area in KwaZulu-Natal spanning over 20,000 acres rich in diverse ecosystems.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **The World’s Largest Vulture Relocation**
The first phase of a monumental project to secure the future of wild vulture populations in southern Africa was completed in January 2024 with the translocation of 163 Cape and African White-backed vultures from VulPro’s existing facility in the north-west of South Africa to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, a journey of over 1,000 km. This project is a milestone in a two-year endeavour to establish a new VulPro breeding facility at Shamwari for non-releasable, rehabilitated vultures capable of breeding, and for repopulating the wild vulture population in the Eastern cape Province. The second phase will involve relocating additional vulture species to further bolster conservation efforts.
## **Tsessebe translocation**
In partnership with Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation and Reilly Travers, WeWild Africa and The Aspinall Foundation translocated and released fifteen tsessebe to boost the Reserve’s population. These swift antelope, among Africa’s fastest, can reach speeds of 90 km/h and are now thriving at Imire. Imire is a private reserve in Zimbabwe dedicated to restoring endangered species. We have also collaborated on the rewilding of mongoose and cheetah, contributing to the Reserve’s growing biodiversity.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Small Wonders: Wildlife conservation beyond the giants**
WeWild Africa, in collaboration with Wild and Free and with Over and Above Africa, is dedicated to rescuing and rewilding smaller, often overlooked species, such as bush-babies, owls and jackals. In 2024 our partnership launched the new state-of-the-art Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre near Kruger National Park, providing specialised care and tailored rehabilitation programs. Beyond rescue and rewilding, the centre focuses on community education, showing that no animal is too small to help. Rescued wildlife included white-backed and hooded vultures, side-striped and blackbacked jackals, Barn, pearl-spotted and African wood owls, southern white-faced scops owls, spotted and Verreaux’s eagle owls, various bats, banded, white-tailed and dwarf mongooses, lesser and thick-tailed bushbabies, tree squirrels, vervet monkeys, meerkats, bushpigs, caracals, common duikers, large-spotted genets, Nile crocodiles, nyalas, porcupines, scrub hares and servals.
## **Leopard rescues: A partnership with Cheetah Outreach**
This year WeWild Africa joined forces with Cheetah Outreach Trust to address human-wildlife conflict and aid in the rescue and relocation of leopards in South Africa. In August a male leopard was rescued from farmland in an area plagued by snares set for bushmeat. The leopard was relocated to Thabo Tholo, a safe conservation area, thanks to funding provided by WeWild Africa. In October/November a female leopard was captured near a tourist lodge in the Rooiberg area, where she threatened human safety by killing antelopes near visitor pathways. After being safely relocated to a conservation area in Limpopo, her movements were monitored with a GPS collar. Following her release she travelled 168km, even crossing into Botswana before returning to South Africa and heading back toward the conservation area.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Saved from culling: A lioness relocation**
WeWild Africa partnered with Babanango Game Reserve, Mount Camdeboo Game Reserve, and the Bateleurs, to successfully translocate two lionesses from Mount Camdeboo to Babanango, saving the lionesses from potential culling and helping to restock Babanango. The operation formed part of a larger restocking initiative at Babanango, with WeWild Africa also translocating two additional lions, from Kwandwe, and elephants from Addo and Tembe elephant parks.
## **Rescuing Baboo the tiger**
Baboo, a Bengal tiger rescued from the exotic pet trade in Pakistan by the Islamabad Wildlife
Management Board (IWMB) in a severely malnourished state with over 20 fractures, the four-month-old cub was placed under the care of IWMB and Second Chance Wildlife. With guidance from The Aspinall Foundation and South African vet Dr. Peter Caldwell, Baboo received intensive treatment, a tailored diet, and daily physical therapy.
After seven weeks he regained mobility and progressed to a larger enclosure. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change recommended relocating him to a more suitable home. IWMB and The Aspinall Foundation partnered with Isindile Big Cat and predator Sanctuary in South Africa’s Free State, where Baboo, 17 months old and weighing over 70 kg, arrived after a multi-leg
journey by road and air. He will now share his new sanctuary with another rescued tiger.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Rewilding the last remaining elephant at the Pretoria Zoo**
On August 19th, 2024, Charlie, the lone African elephant from Pretoria National Zoological Gardens, was relocated to Shambala Private Game Reserve. This move, the result of extensive planning and advocacy, marks a significant milestone in global rewilding efforts from captivity. At 43 years old, Charlie now has the opportunity to spend his remaining years—potentially up to age 60-70—immersed in a natural environment, where he can eventually reconnect with other elephants. The 10-ton operation involved Charlie walking into his specially designed crate, being hoisted by a crane onto a specialized transportation truck, and embarking on his journey to freedom.
Charlie, now 43 years old, was born in 1982 in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. He was captured and sent to South Africa’s Brian Boswell Circus in 1984 before being transferred to the National Zoological Gardens on July 30, 2001. African bush elephants can live up to 60-70 years, so Charlie still has plenty of time to enjoy his newfound freedom.
WeWild Africa partnered with the EMS Foundation, Shambala Private Game Reserve, and Conservation Solutions, in the translocation effort which was one of the most challenging elephant translocations undertaken to date in South Africa. Charlie is on a very specific diet which needed to be managed by WeWild Africa. The loading process took 3 hours to complete with numerous elephant capture and translocation specialists from WeWild Africa and Conservation Solutions, providing input and technical skills. Once loaded, Charlie’s trip to Shambala Private Game Reserve took about 4 hours after which he was released into a specially designed holding enclosure which allowed the veterinary team to monitor him closely. He will then be released into larger areas as he settles.
## **Loskop Dam Rewilding and Expansion Program**
Following years of collaboration and preparation, a co-management agreement for Loskop Dam Natire Reserve was signed with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) on 28th February 2024, formalising a ground-breaking 25-year partnership to restore and expand the unique flora and fauna of the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve: Enhancing infrastructure, building community and tourism capacity, mobilising resources, and rewilding the Big Five.
In September 2021 we conducted a series of comprehensive aerial and terrestrial surveys of Loskop Dam, laying the groundwork for the project. By meticulously mapping the area, assessing its ecological status, and identifying key areas for intervention, we ensure that our restoration efforts are strategic and practical. Our surveys have provided valuable insight into the current state of the ecosystem, guiding our plans for habitat restoration, wildlife management, and community engagement.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
In November 2024 we focussed on the implementation of enhanced security and connectivity.
Both the front and back entry points of Loskop Dam Nature Reserve now feature CCTV cameras, licence plate recognition systems with 4G, and 100 Mbps WiFi setups. The main gate and the reserve office are equipped with 100mb WiFi, ensuring robust connectivity and comprehensive vehicle monitoring across the reserve. The Hondekraal gate now has two additional guards. A geo-hydrologist assessed sub- surface conditions, leading to two borehole drilling attempts. Upgraded solar and gas systems and a new water pump are now in place.
=
Further infrastructure works included the grading of
the main service road through the reserve, with some sections completely rebuilt and others receiving necessary patch maintenance over 30 km, upgrades to the staff recreational football field, and the purchase of a new tractor and a Ford Ranger, enhancing management and maintenance capabilities.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Reference and administrative information**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
We continued to support and develop the black-footed cat breeding and reintroduction project at Loskop, managed by Delecia Gunn and the MTPA. We fitted tracking collars to cats prior to release, facilitating post-release monitoring and, where necessary, post-release interventions. As in previous years, since 2021, we organised the annual dehorning of the reintroduced population of white rhinos in Loskop.
Further details of these southern Africa projects and many more can be found through the WeWild Africa website.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Partnerships and Future Plans**
## **Romania**
Hyphen, the European Bison, transported from Port Lympne to the Fagaras Mountains in the Southern Carpathians in December 2020, continues to thrive. He is generally solitary but contacts the herd of released females regularly, and may be the sire of some of their calves but DNA testing would be necessary to confirm this. The first reintroduced population in Romania, in Vanatori Neamt Nature Park, also continues to flourish, including some of the females sent from the UK and released back in June 2014.
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**The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Pakistan**
We continue to work closely with the Pakistan Environment Trust to develop a programme to reintroduce greater one-horned rhinos to Pakistan. The Greater one-horned rhino is one of the iconic megafauna of the Indian sub-continent, and the proposed programme will see the return of rhinos to Pakistan for the first time in 400 years. Work has been ongoing to identify at least one reintroduction site in Pakistan to spearhead this programme, involving careful consideration of various ecological and socioeconomic factors to ascertain its suitability. The preferred site will be subject to a detailed feasibility study, planned for 2025 in collaboration with various international stakeholders. Once the site has been agreed upon, the programme will need investment in habitat restoration, in community involvement, and in development of appropriate infrastructure and security measures. In the initial stages of the programme a small number of rhinos will be sourced from the global captive population and/or from Nepal for transfer to Pakistan, where they will undergo a carefully monitored rewilding programme prior to full release into the reintroduction site. Additional transfers of rhinos to Pakistan are likely to be necessary over a number of years to build up appropriate levels of genetic diversity within the reintroduced population. Once breeding is successful in Pakistan, it may also be appropriate to return some of the offspring into regional or global populations, to reduce the potential for inbreeding within the Pakistan population and to help ensure optimum levels of genetic diversity across all populations of the species.
During 2024 a collaborative mission between the Pakistan Environment Trust and The Aspinall Foundation was undertaken to Nepal, to visit rhino projects in Chitwan National Park and in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and to meet various organisations including the Nepalese National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The whole visit was highly informative, and the contacts made will help with the upcoming feasibility study for rhino reintroduction to Pakistan.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Plans for the future**
We have a long history of collaboration with partner organisations in Tanzania, particularly related to rewilding and reintroduction of eastern black rhinos. We continue to discuss opportunities for further rhino rewilding, and hope to realise some of these opportunities during 2025.
We are still working on the potential elephant transfer focussing on opportunities in Kenya, Gambia and Angola. The elephant herd in the UK has been habituated to spending time in the transport crates and we hope to make more progress in 2025.
In Congo we will continue to habituate Kebu and Joshi to their post release existence by increasing the amount of wild food they receive and reducing the domestic food. Bomassa now plays a key role in the rehabilitation process as his confidence and experience will continue to rub off on Joshi.
Monitoring of the released gorillas is a continuous process and is central to the work in Congo, the incredible footage that we routinely discover of the gorilla groups with our camera traps placed throughout the reserve is always a delight to see. We have grown accustomed to the footage of large groups as they amble past the camera with infants and black backs riding their mothers like cowboys, but it should not be forgotten that this is the most successful great ape reintroduction.
In Gabon we are continuing to monitor the released gorillas in the national park albeit mostly with camera traps. Again, the wonders of the ever-expanding gorilla groups that we routinely find in the camera trap footage is easy to grow accustomed to but we have successfully restored a sustainable gorilla population to this area, an incredible conservation milestone. Djongo, Mayombe and Taali, the zoo born family group (except Taali), are continuing to grow more confident and we hope to release them off the rehabilitation island as soon as safe to do so.
We will continue to work with ANPN to help protect the other fauna (and flora) within the national park. It is well documented that a continuous presence in a protected area boosts its overall conservation by deterring poaching and other illegal activities. Our presence in this remote site since 1998 has been one of the main reasons for the national park restoration and increased wildlife number (including the reappearance of the Batéké lion in 2015).
Our primate reintroduction projects in Java and Sumatra will continue with their successful release schedule in 2025.
In Madagascar director Maholy Ravaloharimanitra continues her valuable and increasingly internationally recognised work to protect some of the rarest primates on the planet, and their habitat. Maholy has been the recipient of several conservation awards and manages to attract donors to fund the foundation's efforts in Madagascar, a testament to her hard work which she will continue into 2025.
The plans in southern Africa for 2025 will be focused on supporting WeWild Africa and their great work, including the implementation of the Loskop Agreement and further expanding the reserve. We will continue to pursue opportunities for rewilding captive animals for conservation benefits.
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**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
In Bangladesh we have been providing technical advice to partners in regards to wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release, and hope to continue to develop this relationship in 2025. In Pakistan we continue to work closely with the Pakistan Environment Trust to develop a programme to reintroduce greater one-horned rhinos to Pakistan. The Greater one-horned rhino is one of the iconic megafauna of the Indian sub-continent, and the proposed programme will see the return of rhinos to Pakistan for the first time in 400 years. We have now identified a potential site called Lal Suhanra, a national park in the Bahawalpur district of Punjab province. The park was home to a pair of captive rhinos, donated to Pakistan by the Nepal government where they lived for 30 years. Sadly, they did not breed but the environment suited them so we hope that this could provide a launchpad for a concerted breeding effort for the species in the future in Pakistan.
We will continue our collaborative research and monitoring efforts, to continue to inform conservation and rewilding decision-making, within our own projects and more generally.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
The Trustees commissioned a full and detailed Governance Review during 2020. This has been carried out in accordance with the Charity Governance Code for Larger Charities (2020). Substantial progress has been made with most of the recommendations having been implemented.
## **Objectives and activities**
The objectives of the Foundation are:
1. The advancement and promotion (whether in England or elsewhere in the world) for the public benefit of education and useful knowledge in relation to the science of zoology, the preservation and exhibition of living animals and in particular (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) all wild animals in danger of extinction and the conservation of natural wildlife inhabitants.
2. Such other charitable purposes as the Trustees may by Deed appoint.
Our commitment is to conservation, through captive breeding, education, and reintroduction. We are working in some of the world’s most fragile environments to save endangered animals and return them to the wild. We seek to meet our charitable objectives in three ways:
1. To halt the extinction of endangered species in the wild by reintroducing animals and developing sustainable conservation activities; providing economic benefits to local communities and helping manage wilderness areas.
2. Provide the most natural environment possible for animals in both animal parks and be world leaders in our animal husbandry and breeding programmes.
3. Increase public understanding of animal welfare and how we can all act to protect animals in their natural environments.
## **Public benefit**
Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 requires that charitable activities provide a public benefit. The Trustees confirm that, when planning its activities, they have complied with the duty to ‘have regard’ to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
The Foundation’s work on the reintroduction of species, including scientific evaluations and co-management of protected areas, helps preserve the natural environment and natural resources for the public benefit, for both current and future generations.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## _**Organisational structure**_
The Board of Trustees comprises the key governance personnel of the Foundation. The Board of Trustees holds regular meetings, at least four each year, and is responsible for the strategic direction and policies of the Foundation. Trustees are available at short notice between meetings, if required, to deal with any matters which may need attention.
The Trust has created an Investment Committee and are considering whether establishing further committees would be beneficial.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
The day-to-day management is delegated, subject to a delegation matrix approved by the Board of Trustees, to relevant individuals from within the senior management team who are responsible for various operational matters including finance and employment. All delegated actions are monitored by the Trustees.
## _**Appointment and removal of Trustees**_
The Charity is run by a board of four Trustees. New Trustees may be appointed, up to a maximum of seven, by the existing Trustees. The statutory power to appoint a Trustee vests in the Chairman and is exercised by deed. If at any time, owing to retirement, death or removal, the number of Trustees is reduced to less than three, the Chairman shall immediately appoint one or more Trustees to replace the Trustees who have retired, died or been removed. A Trustee may be removed by being given written notice from the Chairman.
The Foundation Trust Deed requires that, where possible, only lineal descendants of the founder can be the board chair.
## _**Trustee induction and training**_
New Trustees are provided with an induction pack outlining their legal obligations under charity law, a copy of the charity's Trust Deed and recent financial performance of the charity. They are also given the opportunity to visit the Parks for a briefing on our work on breeding and caring for rare and endangered species.
All Trustees receive ongoing training in areas such as Trustee Roles and Responsibilities, Safeguarding and other relevant legal updates,
## _**Policies**_
The Board of Trustees has established a suite of policy statements. These cover recruitment, conflicts of interest, expenses, safeguarding, financial reserves, and investments. Policies are regularly updated and there is an ongoing process to add new policies as the need arises.
## **Related parties and relationships with other organisations**
The Foundation works closely with an associated charity, The Howletts Wild Animal Trust (‘THWAT’). The Aspinall Foundation and THWAT have two Trustees in common, Damian Aspinall and Tansy Aspinall. THWAT has established world-class animal welfare and captive breeding programmes in its two parks in Kent: Howletts Park and Port Lympne Reserve, which recently received an extremely positive conservation assessment report from DEFRA. The Foundation re-introduces animals from the parks’ captive breeding programs back into the wild. The success of these programs can be measured by the number of captive births and animal reintroductions set out elsewhere in this report.
This work takes place alongside the other programmes the Foundation runs overseas, where it is protecting animals from human development and poaching.
The Foundation shares resources with THWAT helping to minimise costs.
## **Remuneration policy for key management personnel**
Key management personnel pay rates are set in line with other charities or companies of a similar size and with regard to our location and the necessary skills and experience for the role
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Fundraising activity**
The Foundation’s approach to fundraising focuses on building relationships with individuals and companies that are committed to protecting rare and endangered species.
The Foundation aims to ensure that our supporters and the wider public are treated fairly and with respect. The Foundation remains fully committed to its core fundraising principles and is continually looking for ways to improve and to address new challenges.
## **Fundraising approach:**
The Foundation uses a variety of fundraising approaches to engage with members of the public including working with face-to-face fundraisers, local events, community activities and utilising multiple channels, including direct mail, email, telephone, social media, online communications as well as our own in-house publications such as our supporters’ magazine, Wildcry. These are vital ways to both raise awareness and engage people with the work of the Foundation.
Our own internal fundraising team carries out much of this activity, but we also work with carefully selected and trained professional partners with specific expertise to support our team.
The Foundation has a Personal Data Governance Framework in place which is regularly reviewed and updated to maintain and demonstrate compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations.
## **Fundraising Standards:**
The Foundation voluntarily subscribes to the Fundraising Regulator and its Code of Fundraising Practice. The Foundation is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. No failures to comply with fundraising standards have been notified to the Foundation.
The Foundation is also signed up to the Fundraising Preference Service which enables individuals to opt out from receiving fundraising communications. The Foundation received and actioned requests where necessary from this service last year.
## **Protection of vulnerable people:**
The Foundation is especially careful and sensitive when engaging with vulnerable people. This is reflected in our fundraising practices, through the guidance and training of our staff, and by choosing not to undertake door to door fundraising.
## **Feedback and complaints:**
The Foundation had over 600,000 interactions with its supporters last year through a wide range of channels, including events, face-to-face, telephone, email, in the press, through social media and on the website. Supporter surveys have regularly been undertaken in order to get direct feedback from donors.
Where shortcomings have been identified, guidance and training for staff has been reviewed and enhanced, with new processes put in place, both to prevent recurrence of the issues and to improve supporter experience. The Foundation provides contact details for its complaints process and includes these details on its website.
The Foundation recorded no complaints in 2024.
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## **The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Financial review**
During 2024 the total income for the Foundation was £1,950,000 (2023: £1.529,000). This was from three main sources: donations from more than 9,000 regular supporters to the charity, corporate donations, and Gift Aid refunds. Income is directed towards the charitable work of the Foundation in both the UK and overseas in line with the Foundation’s commitments to its supporters. The operating deficit for 2024 was £1,153,000 (2023 deficit of £1,793,000) and the new balance sheet position at 31[st] December 2024 was £32,428,000 (2023: £33,581,000).
## **Investment policy**
The objective of the Trust’s investment policy is to maximise long-term capital returns with a reasonable tolerance to market volatility and a paramount focus on liquidity and diversification.
All investments held by the Foundation have been acquired in accordance with powers vested in the Trustees. Slater Investments Limited advises on the Foundation's investment portfolio. The Foundation had a net gain of £493,000 (2023: loss of £141,000) on investments **.**
## **Reserves policy**
At the year end the Foundation had total reserves of £32,428,000. Of this amount, £746,000 are restricted and not available for the general purposes of the charity.
Additionally, £23,975,000 was invested in long-term fixed assets which consisted of Freehold and Long Leasehold properties, Fine Art, and other items, and £112,000 in non-liquid investments. The free reserves available to the Foundation were therefore £7,595,000. There were no material amounts committed at the end of the reporting period.
The free reserves held are in line with the Investment and Reserves Policy which notes that the Foundation has limited fixed funding requirements and non-discretionary liabilities. Its annual administrative costs are approximately £850k. It is the policy of the Foundation to predominantly pursue an investment strategy aimed at maximising long-term capital returns to preserve its reserves.
It is difficult to forecast with any degree of certainty what future funding streams will look like. Nevertheless, the Trustees have adopted a policy to ensure that the resources of the Foundation are used in the most effective way to support its objects and also to ensure that the Foundation remains financially resilient. Our reserves policy is therefore to maintain sufficient reserves to enable the Foundation to continue its activities should there be a drop in income. As such reserves are required to provide an adequate level of working capital to ensure the ongoing viability of our core work, cover for risks of unforeseen expenditure and/or unanticipated loss of income.
The Trustees are also mindful of the fact that should the Foundation need to wind down its activities, there are commitments that would need to be met, including staff liabilities, operating costs commitments and the repayment of restricted fund donations.
In light of the above, the Trustees aim to maintain a level of reserves sufficient to cover 6 months of annual administrative costs. As such the objects of the reserves policy have been successfully achieved.
The reserves policy is reviewed at least annually by the Aspinall Foundation Investment Committee which reports to the Foundation’s Trustee Board.
Page 54
**The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Principal risks and uncertainties and risk management**
The Trustees are very aware of the types of major risks to which the Foundation is exposed, and they have prepared an appropriate Risk Management Register, which both identifies those risks and indicates what provision has been made for dealing with them. This was conducted in line with Charity Commission guidance CC26.
The principal risks to which the Foundation is exposed include:
- Reputational and financial risks arising from the Foundation’s close association with The Howletts Wild Animal Trust
- Risks connected to overseas operations, such as fraud, theft, injury to staff member, death of animals
- Fraud or data breach in the Foundation
- Adverse media
The Trustees continue to keep under review the systems in place, which they believe are appropriate to the size of the Charity and the nature of its operations, in order to mitigate these risks.
These matters are considered at the quarterly board meetings (or more frequently if required).
## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed/constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Page 55
## **The Aspinall Foundation**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Statement as to disclosure to our auditors**
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- There is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware; and
- The trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
## **Auditors**
Goldwins Limited were re-appointed as the auditors of the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.
The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
……………………………….
Damian Aspinall Trustee
………………………………. Tansy Aspinall Trustee
Page 56
## **Independent Auditor’s report to the Trustees of The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of The Aspinall Foundation for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the consolidated and parent charity Balance Sheet, consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent charity’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group’s income and expenditure for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditorʼs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and the parent charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRCʼs Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s and the parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 57
## **Independent Auditor’s report to the Trustees of The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charity and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- sufficient accounting records have not been kept;
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- we have not obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit.
## **Responsibilities of the trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Page 58
## **Independent Auditor’s report to the Trustees of The Aspinall Foundation**
## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditorʼs report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.
## **Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities**
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:
- We enquired of management, which included obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation, concerning the group’s and parent charity’s policies and procedures relating to:
- Identifying, evaluating, and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
- Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud;
- We inspected the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
- We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the group and the parent charity operate in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a material effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the group and the parent charity from our professional and sector experience.
- We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and tested these to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.
- In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, assessed whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias and tested significant transactions that are unusual or those outside the normal course of business.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
Page 59
## **Independent Auditor’s report to the Trustees of The Aspinall Foundation**
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: [www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities]. This description forms part of our auditorʼs report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and the regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
**………………………………**
## **Goldwins Limited Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants**
## **75 Maygrove Road**
**West Hampstead London NW6 2EG**
## **Date: 31 October 2025**
Goldwins Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
Page 60
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|**Note**
£'000
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
1,275
Other trading activities
**4**
363
Investment income
**5**
251
**Total income**
1,889
**Expenditure on:**
**6**
Raising funds
820
Charitable activities
2,660
**Total expenditure**
3,480
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**13**
493
**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**
(1,098)
Other gains/(losses)
**30**
(116)
**Net movement in funds**
(1,214)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
**28**
**Total funds brought forward**
32,896
**Total funds carried forward**
31,682
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**|£'000
61
-
-
61
-
-
-
-
61
-
61
685
746
**Restricted**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
1,336
1,224
363
86
251
219
1,950
1,529
820
801
2,660
2,357
3,480
3,158
493
(141)
(1,037)
(1,770)
(116)
(23)
(1,153)
(1,793)
33,581
35,374
32,428
33,581|
|---|---|---|
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. The attached notes form part of these financial statements.
Page 61
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Consolidated Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2024**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**10**
Investments
**12**
**Current assets**
Stock
**16**
Debtors
**14**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one**
**18**
**year**
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more**
**than one year**
**20**
**Total net assets**
**Funds of the Charity**
Restricted funds
**28**
Unrestricted funds:
**28**
General reserves
Revaluation reserve
Total unrestricted funds
**Total funds**||£'000
4
1,137
803
**2024**|£'000
23,975
8,004|£'000
£'000
24,292
8,700
32,992
9
1,114
613
1,736
(897)
839
33,831
(250)
33,581
685
19,700
13,196
32,896
33,581
**2023**|£'000
£'000
24,292
8,700
32,992
9
1,114
613
1,736
(897)
839
33,831
(250)
33,581
685
19,700
13,196
32,896
33,581
**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||31,979
949||32,992
839|
|||1,944
(995)||||
|||18,486
13,196||||
||||32,928
(500)||33,831
(250)|
||||32,428||33,581|
||||746
31,682||685
32,896|
||||32,428||33,581|
Approved by the Trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
………………………………………… ……………………………………… **Damian Aspinall Tansy Aspinall Trustee Trustee**
Page 62
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Charity Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2024**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**11**
Investments
**13**
**Current assets**
Stock
**17**
Debtors
**15**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one**
**year**
**19**
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more**
**than one year**
**21**
**Total net assets**
**Funds of the Charity**
Restricted funds
**29**
Unrestricted funds:
**29**
General reserves
Revaluation reserve
Total unrestricted funds
**Total funds**|£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
23,975
24,292
8,004
8,700
31,979
32,992
4
9
1,137
1,114
803
368
1,944
1,491
(995)
(897)
949
594
32,928
33,586
(500)
(250)
32,428
33,336
532
531
18,700
19,609
13,196
13,196
31,896
32,805
32,428
33,336
**2024**
**2023**|£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
23,975
24,292
8,004
8,700
31,979
32,992
4
9
1,137
1,114
803
368
1,944
1,491
(995)
(897)
949
594
32,928
33,586
(500)
(250)
32,428
33,336
532
531
18,700
19,609
13,196
13,196
31,896
32,805
32,428
33,336
**2024**
**2023**|
|---|---|---|
|||32,992
594|
|||33,586
(250)|
|||33,336|
|||531
32,805|
|||33,336|
Approved by the Trustees on 31 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
|…………………………………………|…………………………………………|
|---|---|
|**Damian Aspinall**|**Tansy Aspinall**|
|**Trustee**|**Trustee**|
Page 63
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|||**2024**|**2024**|**2023**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Notes**|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|
|**Cash flows from operating activities:**||||||
|Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities|**22**||**(1,134)**||**(1,511)**|
|**Cash flows from investing activities:**||||||
|Interest/ rent/ dividends from investments||251||219||
|Sale/ (purchase) of fixed assets investments||1,072||964||
|Sale/ (purchase) of fixed assets||-||(44)||
|**Cash provided by / (used in) investing activities**|||**1,323**||**1,139**|
|**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**|||**189**||**(372)**|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year|||613||1,008|
|Change in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rate movements|||1||(23)|
|**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**23**||**803**||**613**|
Page 64
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **1 Accounting Policies**
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the charity's financial statements.
## **Basis of Preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 - effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP FRS 102).
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
## **Basis of Consolidation**
The consolidated Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet include the financial statements of the Foundation and its Subsidiary made up to 31 December 2024.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
## **Income**
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Donations of gifts, services and facilities**
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable that economic benefit can be measured reliably, and is material to the accounts. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the Trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.
On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
## **Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Page 65
## The Aspinall Foundation
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **1 Accounting Policies (continued) Fund Accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Unrestricted funds include a revaluation reserve representing restatement of investment assets at market values.
Restricted funds are accounted for in accordance with the terms of the trust arising from the express or implied wishes of the donors, in so far as these are intended to be binding on the trustees.
## **Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
- Costs of raising funds comprise of trading costs and the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.
- Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering services undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.
- Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity and its activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. Expenditure is allocated to categories in accordance with the main activity of the staff concerned or the substance of the costs incurred.
## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Freehold land and works of art are not depreciated, as these assets are, in the opinion of the trustees, worth in excess of their book values. The freehold mansion is depreciated at the rate of 2% per annum on cost.
Software & IT Equipment, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment are stated at cost less depreciation at a rate of 25% reducing balance. Motor vehicles are stated at cost less depreciation at a rate of 25% straight line.
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
## **Operating leases**
Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
## **Fixed Asset Investments**
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. Any change in fair value will be recognised in the statement of financial activities. Unlisted investments are stated at trustees' valuation.
Page 66
## The Aspinall Foundation
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **1 Accounting Policies (continued) Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **Financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **Foreign Currencies**
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the rate of exchange ruling at the Balance Sheet date. Gains or losses on translation are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## **Pensions**
The Foundation makes contributions to a defined contribution scheme for certain staff members. The cost of these contributions is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities when incurred.
Page 67
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|**2**
**Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Funds**
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
1,146
78
1,224
Other trading activities
86
-
86
Investment income
219
-
219
**Total income**
1,451
78
1,529
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
801
-
801
Charitable activities
2,352
5
2,357
**Total expenditure**
3,153
5
3,158
Net gains / (losses) on investments
(141)
-
(141)
**Net income for the year**
(1,843)
73
(1,770)
Other gains/losses
(23)
-
(23)
**Net movement in funds**
(1,866)
73
(1,793)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
**Total funds brought forward**
34,762
612
35,374
**Total funds carried forward**
32,896
685
33,581
**3**
**Income from donations**
**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
Legacies
116
16
Donations
1,024
937
Animal sponsorships
190
271
Grants
6
-
1,336
1,224|**2**
**Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Funds**
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
1,146
78
1,224
Other trading activities
86
-
86
Investment income
219
-
219
**Total income**
1,451
78
1,529
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
801
-
801
Charitable activities
2,352
5
2,357
**Total expenditure**
3,153
5
3,158
Net gains / (losses) on investments
(141)
-
(141)
**Net income for the year**
(1,843)
73
(1,770)
Other gains/losses
(23)
-
(23)
**Net movement in funds**
(1,866)
73
(1,793)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
**Total funds brought forward**
34,762
612
35,374
**Total funds carried forward**
32,896
685
33,581
**3**
**Income from donations**
**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
Legacies
116
16
Donations
1,024
937
Animal sponsorships
190
271
Grants
6
-
1,336
1,224|**2**
**Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Funds**
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
1,146
78
1,224
Other trading activities
86
-
86
Investment income
219
-
219
**Total income**
1,451
78
1,529
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
801
-
801
Charitable activities
2,352
5
2,357
**Total expenditure**
3,153
5
3,158
Net gains / (losses) on investments
(141)
-
(141)
**Net income for the year**
(1,843)
73
(1,770)
Other gains/losses
(23)
-
(23)
**Net movement in funds**
(1,866)
73
(1,793)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
**Total funds brought forward**
34,762
612
35,374
**Total funds carried forward**
32,896
685
33,581
**3**
**Income from donations**
**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
Legacies
116
16
Donations
1,024
937
Animal sponsorships
190
271
Grants
6
-
1,336
1,224|
|---|---|---|
||1,451
78||
||801
-
2,352
5||
||3,153
5||
||(141)
-||
||(1,843)
73
(23)
-||
||(1,866)
73
34,762
612||
||32,896
685||
||||
|||1,336
1,224|
Page 68
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|**4**
**Income from other trading activities**
Dinner
Other
**5**
**Income from investments**
Income from listed investments
Rental income
Interest on loans
**6**
**Expenditure**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Costs directly allocated to**
**activities**
Staff costs
Direct
187
-
318
-
317
Fundraising costs
Direct
236
-
-
-
-
Donations
Direct
-
-
1,304
-
-
Maintenance
Direct
-
-
-
-
104
Depreciation
Direct
-
-
-
-
317
Legal and professional fees
Direct
-
-
-
-
51
**Support costs allocated to**
**activities**
Other overheads
76
50
159
4
166
499
50
1,781
4
955
Support costs
226
-
-
729
**(955)**
Governance costs
45
-
-
146
**-**
**Total expenditure 2024**
**770**
**50**
**1,781**
**879**
**-**
**Total expenditure 2023**
801
-
1,642
715
**-**
**G**
**Costs of**
**Investment**
**Other**
**Charitable**
**Projects**
Income/
Direct
**Basis of**
**Allocation**
**Costs of**
**Generating**
**Funds**
**TAF**
**Overseas**
**Projects**
**Raising Funds**
**Charitable Activities**
**Support Costs**|**4**
**Income from other trading activities**
Dinner
Other
**5**
**Income from investments**
Income from listed investments
Rental income
Interest on loans
**6**
**Expenditure**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Costs directly allocated to**
**activities**
Staff costs
Direct
187
-
318
-
317
Fundraising costs
Direct
236
-
-
-
-
Donations
Direct
-
-
1,304
-
-
Maintenance
Direct
-
-
-
-
104
Depreciation
Direct
-
-
-
-
317
Legal and professional fees
Direct
-
-
-
-
51
**Support costs allocated to**
**activities**
Other overheads
76
50
159
4
166
499
50
1,781
4
955
Support costs
226
-
-
729
**(955)**
Governance costs
45
-
-
146
**-**
**Total expenditure 2024**
**770**
**50**
**1,781**
**879**
**-**
**Total expenditure 2023**
801
-
1,642
715
**-**
**G**
**Costs of**
**Investment**
**Other**
**Charitable**
**Projects**
Income/
Direct
**Basis of**
**Allocation**
**Costs of**
**Generating**
**Funds**
**TAF**
**Overseas**
**Projects**
**Raising Funds**
**Charitable Activities**
**Support Costs**|**4**
**Income from other trading activities**
Dinner
Other
**5**
**Income from investments**
Income from listed investments
Rental income
Interest on loans
**6**
**Expenditure**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Costs directly allocated to**
**activities**
Staff costs
Direct
187
-
318
-
317
Fundraising costs
Direct
236
-
-
-
-
Donations
Direct
-
-
1,304
-
-
Maintenance
Direct
-
-
-
-
104
Depreciation
Direct
-
-
-
-
317
Legal and professional fees
Direct
-
-
-
-
51
**Support costs allocated to**
**activities**
Other overheads
76
50
159
4
166
499
50
1,781
4
955
Support costs
226
-
-
729
**(955)**
Governance costs
45
-
-
146
**-**
**Total expenditure 2024**
**770**
**50**
**1,781**
**879**
**-**
**Total expenditure 2023**
801
-
1,642
715
**-**
**G**
**Costs of**
**Investment**
**Other**
**Charitable**
**Projects**
Income/
Direct
**Basis of**
**Allocation**
**Costs of**
**Generating**
**Funds**
**TAF**
**Overseas**
**Projects**
**Raising Funds**
**Charitable Activities**
**Support Costs**|**4**
**Income from other trading activities**
Dinner
Other
**5**
**Income from investments**
Income from listed investments
Rental income
Interest on loans
**6**
**Expenditure**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Costs directly allocated to**
**activities**
Staff costs
Direct
187
-
318
-
317
Fundraising costs
Direct
236
-
-
-
-
Donations
Direct
-
-
1,304
-
-
Maintenance
Direct
-
-
-
-
104
Depreciation
Direct
-
-
-
-
317
Legal and professional fees
Direct
-
-
-
-
51
**Support costs allocated to**
**activities**
Other overheads
76
50
159
4
166
499
50
1,781
4
955
Support costs
226
-
-
729
**(955)**
Governance costs
45
-
-
146
**-**
**Total expenditure 2024**
**770**
**50**
**1,781**
**879**
**-**
**Total expenditure 2023**
801
-
1,642
715
**-**
**G**
**Costs of**
**Investment**
**Other**
**Charitable**
**Projects**
Income/
Direct
**Basis of**
**Allocation**
**Costs of**
**Generating**
**Funds**
**TAF**
**Overseas**
**Projects**
**Raising Funds**
**Charitable Activities**
**Support Costs**|**4**
**Income from other trading activities**
Dinner
Other
**5**
**Income from investments**
Income from listed investments
Rental income
Interest on loans
**6**
**Expenditure**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
**Costs directly allocated to**
**activities**
Staff costs
Direct
187
-
318
-
317
Fundraising costs
Direct
236
-
-
-
-
Donations
Direct
-
-
1,304
-
-
Maintenance
Direct
-
-
-
-
104
Depreciation
Direct
-
-
-
-
317
Legal and professional fees
Direct
-
-
-
-
51
**Support costs allocated to**
**activities**
Other overheads
76
50
159
4
166
499
50
1,781
4
955
Support costs
226
-
-
729
**(955)**
Governance costs
45
-
-
146
**-**
**Total expenditure 2024**
**770**
**50**
**1,781**
**879**
**-**
**Total expenditure 2023**
801
-
1,642
715
**-**
**G**
**Costs of**
**Investment**
**Other**
**Charitable**
**Projects**
Income/
Direct
**Basis of**
**Allocation**
**Costs of**
**Generating**
**Funds**
**TAF**
**Overseas**
**Projects**
**Raising Funds**
**Charitable Activities**
**Support Costs**|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
332
-
31
86|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||363
86|
||||||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
123
81
60
66
68
72|
||||||251
219|
||||||**2024**
**2023 Total**
£'000
£'000
£'000
-
822
845
-
236
275
-
1,304
1,182
-
104
128
-
317
168
191
242
270
-
455
290
191
3,480
3,158
-
-
**(191)**
-
**-**
**3,480**
**-**
3,158
**overnance**
**Costs**|
||Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Income/
Direct
**Basis of**
**Allocation**|||||
|||226
-
45
-|-
729
-
146|**(955)**
**-**|-
-
**(191)**
-|
|||**770**
**50**|**1,781**
**879**|**-**|**-**
**3,480**|
||||||**-**|
|||801
-|1,642
715|**-**||
Of the total expenditure £0 was restricted (2023: £5,000) and £3,480,000 was unrestricted (2023:£3,153,000).
## **7 Net income / (expenditure) for the year**
|This is stated after charging / (crediting):
Auditors' remuneration
Depreciation|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
11
11
317
168|
|---|---|
Page 69
## The Aspinall Foundation
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **8 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from income tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
## **9 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel**
|**personnel**||
|---|---|
|Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
Other staff costs|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
714
745
64
45
21
35
23
20|
||822
845|
The number of employees whose total employee benefits (excluding employer's national insurance and pension costs) for the reporting period amounting to over £60,000 were as follows:
||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
||No.|No.|
|£70,000 - £79,999|1|1|
|£80,000 - £89,999||-|
|£90,000 - £99,999|1|1|
|The average number of employees during the period was:|||
||**2024**|**2023**|
||No.|No.|
||20|22|
The total employee gross salary and benefits, including employer's national insurance and pension contributions of the key management personnel were £111,988 (2023: £107,484).
The charity trustees were not paid for employment by, nor did they receive any other employment benefits from the Trust in the year (2023: £nil). JDA Aspinall was reimbursed during the year a total of £2,871 (2023: £1,168) for travel expenses incurred on behalf of the Foundation. C Filmer was reimbursed £190.(2023: £30) for travel expenses. No other trustee received any reimbursement of expenses during the year (2023: £nil).
Page 70
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **10 Tangible Fixed Assets - Group**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
**Net Book Value**
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023|**Fine**
**Art**
**Total**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
22,966
3,108
36
168
26,278
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**Motor**
**Vehicles**
**Furniture,**
**Fixtures,**
**and**
**Equipment**
**Freehold**
**and Long**
**Leasehold**
**Property**|
|---|---|
||22,966
3,108
36
168
26,278|
||1,854
-
27
105
1,986
293
9
15
317|
||2,147
-
36
120
2,303|
||20,819
3,108
0
48
23,975|
||21,112
3,108
9
63
24,292|
All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.
## **11 Tangible Fixed Assets - Charity**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
**Net Book Value**
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023|**Fine**
**Art**
**Total**
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
22,966
3,108
36
168
26,278
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**Furniture,**
**Fixtures,**
**and**
**Equipment**
**Freehold**
**and Long**
**Leasehold**
**Property**
**Motor**
**Vehicles**|
|---|---|
||22,966
3,108
36
168
26,278|
||1,854
-
27
105
1,986
293
-
9
15
317|
||2,147
-
36
120
2,303|
||20,819
3,108
0
48
23,975|
||21,112
3,108
9
63
24,292|
All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.
Page 71
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **12 Fixed Asset Investments - Group**
|**Investments at fair value**
Listed investments - UK
Unlisted investments at Trustees' valuation
**Movements**
Market value at 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Net investment gains/(losses)
Market value at 31 December 2024
**13**
**Fixed Asset Investments - Charity**
**Investments at fair value**
Listed investments - UK
Unlisted investments at Trustees' valuation
**Movements**
Market value at 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Net investment gains/(losses)
Market value at 31 December 2024
**14**
**Debtors - Group**|**Investments at fair value**
Listed investments - UK
Unlisted investments at Trustees' valuation
**Movements**
Market value at 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Net investment gains/(losses)
Market value at 31 December 2024
**13**
**Fixed Asset Investments - Charity**
**Investments at fair value**
Listed investments - UK
Unlisted investments at Trustees' valuation
**Movements**
Market value at 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Net investment gains/(losses)
Market value at 31 December 2024
**14**
**Debtors - Group**|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
7,892
8,593
112
107|
|---|---|---|
|||8,004
8,700|
|||8,700
9,805
5
-
(1,194)
(964)
493
(141)|
|||8,004
8,700|
|||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
7,892
8,593
112
107|
|||8,005
8,700|
|||8,700
9,805
5
-
(1,194)
(964)
493
(141)|
|||8,004
8,700|
||||
||Trade debtors
Long term debtors
Other debtors
**Debtors - Charity**
Trade debtors
Long term debtors
Other debtors|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
7
6
875
875
255
233|
|||1,137
1,114|
|||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
7
6
875
875
255
233|
|||1,137
1,114|
|**Debtors - Group**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2024**|**2023**|
||£'000|£'000|
|Trade debtors|7|6|
|Long term debtors|875|875|
|Other debtors|255|233|
||1,137|1,114|
|**Debtors - Charity**|||
||**2024**|**2023**|
||£'000|£'000|
|Trade debtors|7|6|
|Long term debtors|875|875|
|Other debtors|255|233|
||1,137|1,114|
## **15 Debtors - Charity**
Page 72
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
|**16**
**Stock - Group**
Stock
**17**
**Stock - Charity**
Stock
**18**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year - Group**
Bank loans and overdraft
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Other taxes and social security
Accruals
**19**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year - Charity**
Bank loans and overdraft
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Other taxes and social security
Accruals
**20**
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year - Group**
Bank loans|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
4
9|
|---|---|
||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
4
9|
||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
388
630
226
105
300
7
18
26
63
129|
||995
897|
||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
388
630
226
105
300
7
18
26
63
129|
||995
897|
||**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
500
250|
||500
250|
Page 73
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **21 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year - Charity**
|**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year - Charity**||
|---|---|
|Bank loans|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
500
250|
||500
250|
## **22 Reconciliation of net income / (expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities**
|Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period
Interest, rent and dividends from investments
Depreciation charges
(Gains)/ losses on investments
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
(Increase) / decrease in stock
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
(1,037)
(1,770)
(251)
(219)
317
168
(493)
141
(23)
414
5
6
348
(251)|
|---|---|
||(1,134)
(1,511)|
## **23 Analysis of changes in cash during the year**
|**Analysis of changes in cash during the year**||
|---|---|
|Cash at bank and in hand|**Total**
**Total**
**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
803
613|
||803
613|
## **24 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds - Group**
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
At 31 December 2024|**General**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2024**
£'000
£'000
£'000
23,975
-
23,975
8,004
-
8,004
1,198
746
1,944
(995)
-
(995)
(500)
-
(500)|
|---|---|
||31,682
746
32,428|
Page 74
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **25 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds - Group 2023**
|**Analysis of Net Assets between Funds - Group 2023**||
|---|---|
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
At 31 December 2023|**General**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
£'000
24,292
-
24,292
8,700
-
8,700
1,051
685
1,736
(897)
-
(897)
(250)
-
(250)|
||32,896
685
33,581|
## **26 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds - Charity**
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
At 31 December 2024|**General**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2024**
£'000
£'000
£'000
23,975
-
23,975
8,004
-
8,004
1,412
532
1,944
(995)
-
(995)
(500)
-
(500)|
|---|---|
||31,896
532
32,428|
## **27 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds - Charity 2023**
|Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
At 31 December 2023|**General**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
£'000
24,292
-
24,292
8,700
-
8,700
960
531
1,491
(897)
-
(897)
(250)
-
(250)|
|---|---|
||32,805
531
33,336|
Page 75
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **28 Movement in Funds - Group**
|Restricted funds:
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
**29**
**Movement in Funds - Charity**
Restricted funds:
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds|**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
685
61
-
-
746
**At the**
**start of the**
**year**
**At the end**
**of the year**
**Transfers**
**Income & gains**
**Expenses &**
**losses**|
|---|---|
||685
61
-
-
746
32,896
2,382
(3,596)
-
31,682|
||32,896
2,382
(3,596)
-
31,682
33,581
2,443
(3,596)
-
32,428|
||**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
531
1
-
-
532
**Transfers At the end**
**of the year**
**At the**
**start of the**
**year Income & gains**
**Expenses &**
**losses**|
||531
1
-
-
532
32,805
2,327
(3,236)
-
31,896|
||32,805
2,327
(3,236)
-
31,896
33,336
2,328
(3,236)
-
32,428|
Page 76
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## The Aspinall Foundation
## **30 WeWild Africa NPC**
WeWild Africa NPC (previously named The Aspinall Foundation South Africa until February 2023 ) is a South African registered non-profit company (number 2021/481489/08), which was established during 2021. The sole member was the Trustees of The Aspinall Foundation until 3 December 2024 when TAF resigned as a member. The accounting period for WeWild Africa NPC ends on 28 February 2025: for the purposes of the consolidated accounts, management accounts for the period ending 03 December 2024 have been prepared.
|Assets at 3 December 2024
Liabilities at 3 December 2024
Reserves at 3 December 2024
Gross income for the period ending 3 December 2024
Expenditure for the period ending 3 December 2024
Surplus for the period ending 3 December 2024|**2024**
**2023**
£'000
£'000
117
245
-
-|
|---|---|
||117
245
417
508
(545)
(407)|
||(128)
101|
The loss on disposal has been charged to the Income & Expense account.
## **31 Related Party Transactions**
TAF USA is a US charitable foundation established independently from TAF. JDA Aspinall is a trustee of both entities.
During the year, TAF made a loan to TAF USA of $50,000 to fund initial set up costs. Interest of 10% per annum was charged, and the loan was repaid during February 2025.
A donation of £4,479 was made by TAF to TAF USA during 2024.
The independent trustees agreed that the Foundation would pay Memina Capital Limited, for the provision of office space. During the year, the Foundation was charged £70,046 (2023: £19,472) by Memina Capital Limited for the provision of office space. JDA Aspinall is the sole director and shareholder of Memina Capital Limited.
During the year, the Foundation received income of £54,041 (2023 - £59,589) from JDA Aspinall for the rent of Howletts Mansion and other recharges. The rent has been calculated by reference to the lease and two independent, professional rental valuations of Howletts Mansion.
TAF and The Howletts Wild Animal Trust (THWAT) are registered charities with the same charitable purposes and the trustees of each charity have agreed that it is in the best interests of each to work collaboratively to further each party's charitable purposes. During January 2024 TAF entered into a Service Collaboration Agreement with THWAT which outlined the administrative services to be provided by THWAT to TAF, and the basis on which those services are to be charged.
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## The Aspinall Foundation
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **31 Related Party Transactions (continued)**
During the year the Foundation received invoices from THWAT and its subsidiary of £270,913 (2023: £257,178) being recharges of costs incurred on its behalf, and The Aspinall Foundation raised invoices amounting to £148 (2023: £2,594) to THWAT and its subsidiary. The Foundation also has a short term loan account with THWAT. At the year end The Aspinall Foundation owed £181,936 to THWAT and its subsidiary (2023: £54,655).
During the year the Foundation received donated services from THWAT (comprising the costs of administration, finance, HR, premises and IT support) amounting to £101,393 (2023: £94,299). The services provided have been included in the financial statements in income as Gifts in Kind, with the expenses included in the appropriate expense account.
During the year, the Foundation was charged by Zedra Private Office (UK) Limited (formerly Alvarium PO Limited) £83,776 (2023 - £97,753) at arm's length for accounting, administrative, advisory and project services. CPN Filmer, one of the trustees, was a director of Alti/Alvarium PO Limited until he resigned his directorship on 7 May 2024. As this is a charitable foundation, fees are charged at a substantially discounted rate and comprise a fixed element for day to day accounting and administrative work, and a time-based element for additional advisory and project-based work. All invoices are approved by the Chairman and by one of the independent trustees.
The Foundation leases land and buildings to THWAT and its subsidiary for an annual rent of £1 (2023: £1).
Updated leases have been signed during 2024 with THWAT in relation to the TAF properties and is in line with how both charities have operated for many years.
Payments to related parties are all authorised by the Foundation's governing documents.
In May 2020, JDA Aspinall, CPN Filmer, B Goldsmith and RM Birley, in their capacity of Trustees of the Foundation, entered into a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan 'CBIL' of £2,000,000. No interest or capital repayments were due during the Business Interruption Payment ('BIP') period (12 months from the date of the first drawdown). Thereafter, interest is charged at 2.09% above base rate, and 16 quarterly capital payments of £125,000 are due. The loan is guaranteed by Howletts & Port Lympne Estates Ltd ('HPLE') and The Howletts Wild Animal Trust ('THWAT').
The CBIL was subsequently loaned from the Foundation to THWAT on the same terms as those of the original loan. JDA Aspinall is Chairman and trustee of THWAT and T Aspinall is a trustee of THWAT. The loan is authorised by the Foundation's governing documents. At the year end the balance due was £875,000. Interest payments of £63,322 (2023: £70,231) were made by THWAT to the Foundation.
During 2018, JDA Aspinall, CPN Filmer and RM Birley, in their capacity as Trustees of the Foundation entered into a Limited Guarantee and Indemnity agreement with Barclays Bank PLC for the liabilities of THWAT (amount £5,000,000).
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