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MEET THE TEAM
The DREAM TEAM of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary
At LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary we employ many staff that work in tandem to maintain our big cat's forever home. Meet our head of departments that bring it all together!
Hildegard Pirker
Hildegard is the Sanctuary Manager of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2007“Every day brings new opportunities to be caring, compassionate and kind”
Along with her team, Hildegard is responsible for the overall operations of LIONSROCK surrounding the care of around 100 rescued big cats – a job that calls for focus and dedication.
She arrived with the first group of rescued lions from Austria in 2007 after the first newly built enclosures were ready to welcome them in their new forever home.
Her heart firmly rooted in animal welfare, she has since contributed to the development of LIONSROCK to what it is today, from defining animal husbandry standards, the training of the animal caretaker team, expansion of the animal facilities to the development of guest activities and creating the volunteer program.
Christine Steyrer
Christine is the Head Veterinarian of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2020"I am here to hopefully make an improvement for these big cats, to contribute to their wellbeing and quality of life.
My work includes but is not limited to monitoring and treating our animals, as well as preventative care so our animals stay as healthy as possible given their circumstances and backgrounds. So, some days would start with a vaccination and end with me inspecting feces as an example.
Favorite animals: Every single one, so about 100 names plus dogs and horses"
Ivana Cinkova
Ivana is a Chief Animal Caretaker of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2023Yolandi Smith
Yolandi is a Chief Animal Caretaker of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2023Niklaas Van der Walt
Niklaas is the Head of Facilities Management at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2022Philip Murray Pitout
Philip is the Maintenance Team Manager of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2022Kyle Bryan Reeler
Kyle is the Safety and Security Coordinator of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2023Zukisa Nokoyo
Zukisa is the Vegetation Team Manager of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2022Leighann Basson
Leighann is the Head of Visitor Operations of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and works for FOUR PAWS since 2021
