Founded to help conservation efforts worldwide, Endangered Encounters is committed to the preservation of wildlife and the environment, furthering conservation efforts and promoting travel philanthropy. Endangered Encounters' wants travellers to not only see wondererful and rare animals in the wild but to expereince them within the life-enriching educational context of conservation. World renowned naturalists, conservationists and researchers are an integral part of the EE team. Join them, travel, learn and help save these rare and spectacular creatures.  Endangered Encounters is proof that one person, one company can make a difference!




Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)
Recognized in 2000 as one of Time magazine's "Heroes for the Planet," Laurie Marker began her life's work with cheetahs at Oregon's Wildlife Safari, helping to develop the most successful captive cheetah-breeding program in North America. In 1988, she became the Executive Director of the Center for New Opportunities in Animal Health Sciences based at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo. In 1990, she co-founded the not-for-profit Cheetah Conservation Fund and moved to Namibia to develop a permanent conservation Research Centre on one of the world's last strongholds of the cheetah, the expansive Namibian farmlands. In 1996, she was made a vice-chair of the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Species Survival Commission's (SSC) Cat Specialist Group. With only 12,000+ remaining worldwide, the cheetah need immediate help to ensure survival. Through the internationally focused work of CCF, Laurie is the cheetah's greatest ally.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

CCF's mission is to be an internationally recognized center of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems, working with all stakeholders to achieve best practice in the conservation and management of the world's cheetahs. As Namibia has the largest and healthiest population of cheetahs left in the world, CCF's International Research and Education Centre is based in Namibia, near Otjiwarongo.

CCF's stance is that understanding the cheetah's biology and ecology is essential to stabilize the population and manage its sustainability for the future. Its strategy to save the wild cheetah is a three-pronged process of research, conservation and education, beginning with long-term studies to understand and monitor the factors affecting the cheetah's survival. Results of these studies are used to develop conservation policies and programs to sustain its populations. CCF actively works with local, national and international communities to raise awareness, communicate, educate and train.



A naturalist, filmmaker and leading authority on the tiger, Stephen has been nearly eaten or trampled on by most of the world's big animals.  His special interest is in all aspects of animal behavior - not just checking species off a list.  With over 35 television films to his credit, including the award-winning Tiger Crisis which focused international attention on the issue of tiger poaching, Stephen's life work has helped keep conservation on the front burner.

His work on major BBC series - Land of the Tiger and The Private Life of Plants, his writing, especially for the BBC Wildlife Magazine and his position as chairman of the International Association of Wildlife filmmakers are just a few examples of Stephen's dedication to the world's wildlife.  In his most recent book entitled, Tiger, Stephen has produced a magnificent review of the tiger as a wild animal, the changing world it has been forced to live in, and its prospects for survival.

Tiger Trust
To preserve its wild lands and wildlife, India has set aside over 1.2 million square kilometers in 525 protected areas as national parks, sanctuaries and reserves.  But this is only 3.6 percent of a land area where human population exceeding 800 million is exerting excessive pressure on the natural resources. To meet this urgent need, the Tiger Trust was established in 1989 by the late Kailash Sankhala, Padma Shree, Founder Director of Project Tiger, Government of India. Through its headquarters in New Delhi, India, the Tiger Trust has established Kailash Sankhala Conservation Centers near Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park working closely with the neighboring communities, park authorities, state governments and other organizations. The objectives of the Tiger Trust are education, research, publications, awareness programs including a Wildlife Research Center, a Nature Conservation Program and Tiger Habitat Conservation.




Director of the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP)
In 2002, Dr. Lanjouw received the National Geographic Society's Howard Buffett award for Leadership in African Conservation. Dr. Lanjouw is internationally recognized as a leading authority on the Mountain gorilla. She has been instrumental in focusing attention on the gorilla's plight and in raising funds to ensure its survival. The focus of Dr. Lanjouw's work is conservation of the forest ecosystem that is the mountain gorilla's habitat. Since 1995, Dr. Lanjouw has been director of the International Gorilla Conservation Program, working in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The program is funded by consortium of three conservation organizations: African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna and Flora International, and World Wide Fund for Nature.


Program Manager (IGCP)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Liz has been associated with IGCP since its inception. Meticulous and thorough, she has a deserved reputation for getting things done, ensuring that great ideas are implemented rather than remaining great ideas!

The International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP)

Launched in 1991, IGCP is a joint initiative of AWF, Fauna and Flora International and the World Wide Fund for Nature.  IGCP's overall goal is the sustainable conservation of the world's approximately 668 remaining mountain gorillas and their habitats in the adjacent countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). IGCP aims to enhance the communication and cooperation between protected-area authorities working in the cross-border regions by implementing regional meetings, study tours and training programs, patrols of the area and communications networks.