Current Projects
The Wild Source Foundation is dedicated to creating lasting wildlife conservation through the empowerment of local communities. We focus on three areas of need: wildlife research and conservation, creation of economic empowerment, and education and job training opportunities. Read our 2024 Annual Report
Wildlife Research and Conservation
Big Cat Research
The Wild Source biologist team based out of Njozi Camp in the Serengetti conducts big cat research. Using cutting-edge AI, the team is transforming observational data from the Serengeti into a digital, intelligent database. This innovative software compares photographic records to accurately identify individual big cats, enhancing long-term monitoring efforts in the Ndutu and Northern regions
Temminck's Pangolin Research
The Foundation has been sponsoring Daniel Rossouw, a South African Masters Degree candidate to track and follow pangolins in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. Daniel set out to quantify the ecological role that pangolins play in the ecosystem at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, hoping to show the vital role they play in the revitalization of soil through their foraging.
Despite their elusiveness, pangolins have become vulnerable due to hunting, trafficking, human agriculture, transportation corridors, and severe weather due to climate change.
Continued research will allow for conservation of these vulnerable animals by highlighting the important role they play in biodiversity and their ecosystems.
Ocelot Research
We continue to support the Brazilian based Projecto Jaguatiricas (Ocelot Project).
We sponsor ocelot collaring sessions, including the live trapping and
veterinarian efforts. Both The Wild Source Pantanal group trips were able to be present for the research collaring and the release of two ocelots. Projecto Jaguatiricas is studying how ocelots are using the land -- natural areas and human altered landscapes within Brazil’s Pantanal region.
Jaguar ID Project
TWSF donated 26 trail cameras to the Jaguar Identification Project to aid their expansion allowing them to maintain one of the largest systematic jaguar camera grids. Trail cameras dramatically expand understanding of the jaguar population. In 2025, 83 new jaguars have been identified, showing there are more jaguars than previously thought in the Pantanal region.
Economic Empowerment
Flavian's Clothing Shop
The Wild Source Foundation invested in mid-January in Flavian’s clothing shop business. This initial investment will allow her to pay her first 6 months of rent in a new space, ensuring her relaunched shop gets off to a good start. This will also allow her to pay school fees for her children and ensure they can continue their education.
Vunja Bei Grains Store
Coming Soon
Education and Job Training
Ping's Bush School
In Kenya, legendary Maasai guide Ping, launched a Bush School Program that focuses on providing outdoor environmental education opportunities for Kenyan youth. What started as a small business venture has now grown into a mobile program presenting to over 4,000 students, ages 11-14 at more than 50 schools.
Our funding provided the purchase of a vehicle, established a full-time office, staff member and helped create a curriculum for outdoor learning at Mt. Suswa Conservancy Site.
The project has become our biggest one to date. As it continues to grow, a need to offer multi-day programs has become apparent, as well as developing an education center with overnight accommodations. With 17 acres at the Mt. Suswa site already secured, Ping’s Bush School is only getting started.
Cheetahs Community Wildlife Protection
Unit
We funded a program to recruit, train, and hire 3 women for the Cobras Community Wildlife Protection Unit. Cobras The women's unit called "Cheetahs" are highly trained scouts from local villages who support and protect the area's wildlife as well as alleviate human-wildlife tensions. Adding women to this vital organization has:
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Increased employment
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Advanced community awareness and environmental education
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Improved community rhino protection
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Enhanced anti-poaching measures
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Inspired younger women
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Increased community liaison and representation
