Bakari, a majestic male leopard born on 20 November 2009, has a powerful story of resilience and transformation. His early life was marked by exploitation, having been used as a photo prop in a German zoo during Christmas dinners. At just two months old, he was taken to the Panthera Big Cat Centre, which later became FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary under the management of FOUR PAWS.

At Panthera, Bakari was raised by human caretakers and kept in a small enclosure—unfortunately, right next to lions. For a young leopard, being in close proximity to natural predators was undoubtedly stressful and inappropriate.

When FOUR PAWS took over the facility in late 2013, one of their first steps was to move Bakari into a much more suitable environment. He was placed in a spacious enclosure equipped with tree trunks and enrichment items, giving him the opportunity to climb, hide, and explore—natural behaviours essential for his wellbeing. These changes made it clear that Bakari was ready for even more space and stimulation.

On 4 November 2016, Bakari’s journey took a life-changing turn as he was relocated to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. With its vast, species-appropriate enclosures, LIONSROCK offered Bakari the freedom to develop into the leopard he was always meant to be.

His arrival also marked an important milestone: for the first time, Bakari was introduced to other leopards—Mike and Tulani—who became his neighbours. While they were not housed together, this was Bakari’s first real experience of living among conspecifics, further supporting his emotional and social development.

Bakari's story is a testament to the positive impact of ethical sanctuary care. From a photo prop to a life of dignity and freedom, his journey reminds us of the importance of protecting wild animals from exploitation and giving them the chance to thrive.