Youth For Lions is a young, vibrant sub-campaign of Blood Lions®, an award winning documentary film and campaign which sheds light on the South African commercial predator breeding, canned hunting and lion bone trade industries.
The Youth For Lions team engages with young people around the world to create an understanding of how cub petting, walking with predators and volunteering at predator farms contributes to the exploitation of our wildlife in South Africa.
We invite YOU to get involved and become part of this worldwide movement to end the cruel cycle of exploitation.
Our Youth Ambassador Programme directly involves driven, influential young people with the Youth For Lions campaign. Our Youth Ambassadors have a passion for wildlife, conservation and education, and play a vital role in spreading awareness amongst their communities, as well as their school and university peers.
Our Youth Ambassador Programme is based on three incremental Levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold), each requiring a set of activities to be carried out by the Ambassadors in order to proceed to the next level.
Have a look at our current Youth Ambassadors’ Activities below ↓↓
Santhani Rungan
Santhani is a Medical student at the University of the Free State. Hailing from Durban, KZN, she matriculated from Eden College and was a proud member of the Durban Youth Council in 2019. During her time at school, Santhani was a member of the Eco and Interact Clubs and organised multiple Blood Lions screenings and Youth For Lions presentations for her peers.
The Youth For Lions cause is close to Santhani's heart as she is passionate about South Africa's wildlife and believes that it is vital for the youth to take an initiative in their communities.
"One of my favourite quotes is, 'Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.' "
Taylor Wagemaker
Taylor has grown up in a family with an incredible love for the African bush. From a young age, she was immersed in the beauty and wonders of nature, surrounded by vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a rich cultural heritage.
Taylor has learned about the delicate balance of nature, the intricate relationships between different species and the importance of conservation. Perhaps the most profound impact of growing up with a love for the African bush was the sense of responsibility it instilled within her.
With every passing year, the devastating reality of the unfair, cruel treatment and decline of our wildlife increases. Witnessing first-hand the effects of human activity on the environment, she became aware of the need to preserve and protect our natural world.
Taylor plans to become a field guide one day, a dream she's had for many years. She wants to educate and show people from all over the world how valuable and precious our wildlife is, and hopefully instil a love and voice in others too.
"I am honoured to join the ‘Youth For Lions’ team and help make a difference!"
Romario Valentine
Romario Valentine (14) is a Youth for Lions SA and an Ocean Sole ambassador. A conservation artist and the author of 'Protect our Planet – Take action with Romario'. Currently based in the Lowveld as a part of the SanParks Junior Honorary Ranger programme and recently obtained a Phase 1 certification. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, such the PickNPay Hero award, BirdLife SA Owlet, Reddam House Umhlanga Madiba award, the Marine Conservation Society UK Young Ocean Optimist, Action for Nature International Eco-Hero, the WESSA Schools Youth Environmentalist among others. Renowned for his beach clean ups, reforestation initiatives, philanthropy, avian art and conservation projects. Besides being an advocate for biodiversity conservation, he is a competitive swimmer specialising in breaststroke and a KwaZulu Natal lifesaver nipper. “It is my mission to inspire and empower the youth to become earth guardians.”
Luqman Ebrahim
Luqman Ebrahim finished his Matric at Michael Mount Waldorf School. He was also a high member of the school's Environmental Club. Since he was young he had fallen in love with the conservation of this planet that we inhabit and the animals that live on it, through the experience of game reserves and national parks. The one thing he dislikes in life is the mistreatment of animals by humans, just the thought of it alone drives him crazy. It makes him want to solve these issues and come up with ways to combat this. His dream is to become a Zoologist (as well as an ecological conservationist) which he is hoping to pursue as well as study when he is in university. Most of all explore the different ecosystems and animals this beautiful world has to offer. He looks forward to being an ambassador for YouthForLions and know he will pour his heart out and do his absolute best in aiding this campaign.
"“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”
“An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.”
Suhail Mahomed
Suhail is a passionate South African Environmentalist and Animal rights activist. He completed Matric in 2023 and has made wildlife conservation and environmental protection his career and goal. Suhail has diligent knowledge of wildlife and ecosystems and the anthropogenic threats that are destroying them.
Working more with marine life, Suhail is more than willing to help carve a beautiful future for lions and stop their exploitation and abuse.
"growing up in South Africa, wildlife and nature is in my heart. However our current predicament with planetary disaster from climate change and biodiversity loss will put us Humans on the chopping block for extinction. If we don’t act now, we may lose what we took for granted..”
Gabby Sykora
Gabby is a South African wildlife photographer, conservation storyteller, and the founder of Young Wildlife Photographers of Southern Africa (YWP), a youth-led platform created to connect young people with nature through photography and storytelling.
Growing up immersed in the bush, Gabby developed an early appreciation for wildlife, conservation, and the quieter moments outdoors that shape how we observe and understand the natural world. Those early experiences continue to shape how she approaches conservation storytelling today, where visual storytelling is used not simply to document wildlife, but to build awareness, context, and long-term respect for the ecosystems and species being represented..
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
Stephanie-Emmy Klarmann
Stephanie is a researcher, educator, and lover of all things related to wildlife and travel photography. She has spent the last few years finding her passion by merging her interests in an exciting new field called 'conservation psychology'. Through her research, she hopes to inspire young generations to discover their own love for the natural world and develop a desire to protect it.
Stephanie believes that we are capable of achieving enormous change if we focus on building up young people and leading more compassionate lives.
"When I'm not teaching, I usually have my head buried in a book or my feet buried in sand with a camera in my hand."
Youth Ambassador Blog Post
Oliver completed Bronze Level in December 2022 after writing an educational blog post about their experience with wildlife volunteering in South Africa.
Youth For Lions Presentation
Makaira is one step closer to completing Silver Level after presenting to high school learners at the Ifa Lethu Johnny Lowe Memorial Trust trip in August 2022.
Virtual Blood Lions Presentation
Previous Ambassador, Stephanie, completed Silver Level by hosting a virtual Blood Lions Presentation for a Leadership for Conservation in Africa webinar in June 2022.
Eden College Interact Club
Arnav completed Bronze Level by hosting a Youth For Lions Presentation for the Eden College Interact Club after school in February 2022.
Reddam House Presentations
Previous Ambassador, Stephanie, hosted two Youth For Lions Presentations at Reddam House High School in Helderfontein in February 2022 to complete Silver Level.
Virtual Durban Youth Council
Santhani completed the Bronze Level by hosting a virtual Youth For Lions presentation for members of the Durban Youth Council in August 2021.
Youth For Lions Blog Post
Previous Ambassador, Stephanie, completed Bronze Level by writing an article for the Youth For Lions Blog about whether captive wildlife facilities should be considered educational.
Glenwood High School Enviro Club
Makaira completed Bronze Level by presenting on the Youth For Lions Campaign to the Glenwood High School Environmental Club in September 2021.
Ludlow Blood Lions movie night
One of our new ambassadors, Rifumo, hosted a movie night in Ludlow on 2 July. He screened the Blood Lions documentary for 36 people and even provided a cosy fire and popcorn to keep everyone comfortable!
