The journey of the Foundation Panthera leo leo, better known as Leo Foundation, began in November 2007 on the terrace of Porte Mayo in Maroua, Cameroon. During a conversation about the projects of CML (Centre for Environmental Sciences at Leiden University) and field visits to Bénoué National Park and Waza National Park, the seed for the foundation was planted.
Earlier that year, lions had been collared, a large-scale monitoring project was started, and the need to train Lion Guards became clear. It soon became apparent that to secure the future of the project and effectively protect West African lions, long-term support and fundraising efforts were necessary. Hans de Iongh suggested, “Why not start a foundation?”, and so in 2008, the Leo Foundation was born.
Through Hans’ unwavering passion and dedication, Leo Foundation has grown into a mature foundation committed to the protection of lions and other large cats in Africa and India.
In the early years of the foundation, Hans was involved in projects such as collaring lions in Kenya, establishing Lion Guards in Cameroon, and addressing human-tiger conflicts in India. What is particularly noteworthy is that many of these initiatives are still active and successful today. Hans laid the foundation for long-term collaborations that have had a lasting impact.
Although Leo Foundation often works with limited resources, the foundation has managed to build valuable, sustainable partnerships time and again. This success is largely due to Hans’ personal commitment, as he spent significant time abroad, strengthening relationships and social bonds. Thanks to his guidance of PhD students, who maintain strong ties with the foundation even after their studies, a remarkable network of local partners, researchers, and other stakeholders has been built.
The proof of the strength of these long-term collaborations is evident in the fact that in November 2024, Hans again collared a lion in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. He also contributed to the Flashlight Project, which aims to protect livestock enclosures around the park from lion attacks. Furthermore, in October 2024, funds were raised through the Globe Guards auction to support the Lion Guards in Cameroon.
Leo Foundation is also active in other countries, including Benin, Senegal, and India. In all of these regions, there is a solid foundation of many years of collaboration, which is essential for the effectiveness of the projects. It is inspiring to see how the scientific knowledge built by the foundation is being anchored locally and making a real difference on the ground. It is also worth noting that several former PhD students of Hans have founded their own foundations, perhaps inspired by Leo Foundation’s approach, which combines rigorous research with practical implementation.
With Hans’ departure, his vision will continue to live on within the foundation. Hans has handed over the chairmanship to Laura Bertola, who, together with the team, will continue to build upon the foundation’s successes. The focus will remain on protecting large cats and strengthening the partnerships that make the foundation’s work possible.
In recognition of his immense contribution, Hans de Iongh has been appointed as an honorary member of Leo Foundation. He will be greatly missed. The board thanks Hans for his inspiring leadership, which has made it possible for this wonderful foundation to thrive.
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