Kruger Carnivore Fund - Painted Wolf Wines
Painted Wolf Wines launches R700,000 Kruger Carnivore Fundraiser in the park’s centenary year.
6,000 bottles donated to fund GPS collars protecting Kruger Carnivores Lion Collaring Program in partnership with the SANParks Honorary Rangers and the Endangered Wildlife Trust
Stellenbosch, South Africa — 1 July 2026
As Kruger National Park marks 100 years, Painted Wolf Wines today launches the Kruger Carnivore Fundraiser, a six-month national campaign to raise R700,000 for carnivore conservation in and around the park, in partnership with the South African National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
The campaign responds to a stark reality: the lion population in the northern Kruger has declined by 63% since 2005, driven largely by targeted poaching for body parts; cheetahs have lost 90% of their historic range across Africa; and fewer than 6,600 African Wild Dogs remain on Earth.
Painted Wolf Wines, marking its 20th harvest this year, has hand-selected and donated 6,000 bottles of its award-winning wines to the cause. Supporters purchase a limited-edition Kruger Carnivore Case of six premium wines (Platter’s 4–4.5 star / Tim Atkin 90+) for R995, against a retail value of more than R1,800. Of every case sold, R600 is donated directly to the SANParks Honorary Rangers for carnivore conservation, administered in partnership with the EWT. The balance of the R995 is purely for fulfillment costs with Painted Wolf Wines taking no profit or margin on these cases.
Funds will close a critical gap: 30 GPS collars are needed to monitor lions in the highest-risk areas of the northern Kruger National Park. 10 have been funded; the campaign aims to fund the remaining 20. Each collar costs R35,500 and provides two years of satellite monitoring, enabling rangers to track pride movements in real time and respond before poaching incidents occur. A single collared lion provides indirect protection to its entire pride.
Every case purchased earns the buyer automatic entry into monthly prize draws, featuring safari stays, culinary experiences, art and merchandise donated by campaign prize partners — culminating in a Grand Prize Draw in December 2026.
The campaign carries a particular symbolic weight: it unites the Kruger National Park’s 100th anniversary, the SANParks Honorary Rangers’ 60 years of volunteer service, and Painted Wolf’s 20th harvest.
Jeremy Borg (founder) Painted Wolf Wines: “Twenty years ago we founded Painted Wolf on the belief that exceptional wine could keep wilderness wild. In the Kruger’s centenary year, with its great carnivores under real pressure, this is the most important campaign we have ever run. Every case sold puts R600 directly into protecting our carnivores and we are asking South Africa’s wine lovers to join the cause.” Endangered Wildlife Trust: Marnus Roodbol, EWT's Lion project manager: With lion populations across Africa continuing to decline due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat loss, it has become increasingly important to collar lions to better understand how they utilize space within their home ranges. Collaring also provides valuable insights into where poaching threats may emerge and the factors driving these risks. Tracking collars play a vital role in lion conservation by enabling rangers and conservationists to take a proactive approach to intervention when lions move into high-risk areas, whether this involves entering known poaching hotspots or approaching livestock and human settlements where conflict may occur. A proactive conservation approach is essential to improving lion protection and supporting the long-term survival of the species.
SANParks Honorary Rangers: As the official South African National Parks (SANParks) volunteer organisation, the SANParks Honorary Rangers has actively been supporting SANParks and conservation in the Kruger National Park for over 60 years. Its volunteer members give their time, skills and resources to contribute to infrastructure and maintenance tasks, environmental education, tourism support About the Endangered Wildlife Trust The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is a registered Non-profit, Non-governmental, and Public Benefit Organisation. Since its establishment in 1973, the EWT has become a leading, well-known, and trusted conservation role-player. We are committed to conserving threatened species and ecosystems in southern Africa for the benefit of all. To achieve this, we focus on three main strategic imperatives: Saving Species, Conserving Habitats, and Benefitting People.
About the SANParks Honorary Rangers The SANParks Honorary Rangers volunteer organisation is open to people with a passion for nature and a dedication to support the South African National Parks. We facilitate various activities through which the public can become involved in support of SANParks and enjoy the wonder of our natural heritage. Our contribution is manifested in many ways, such as raising valuable funds, creating vital public awareness and supplying much needed manpower and equipment to supplement various conservation, tourism and environmental education needs within SANParks.
Media contact
Madison Keyser — [email protected]
