Despite the fact that the results of this work would provide crucial information affecting the development of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), it took the better part of a year to procure international funding for the project.

With each subsequent rejection because of ‘Zimbabwe’ being a four lettered word, the trustees wished there was a local organisation backed up by donors that would be able to facilitate and fund worthy projects such as this.

With this in mind, the Animal and Wildlife Area REsearch Trust was registered by a local lawyer, with $20 provided by Dr Keith Dutlow as its starting capital. As ideas evolved and the gaping need for specialist wildlife treatment of un-owned animals became obvious, the deed of the Trust was amended to include the word ‘rehabilitation’ in the AWARE acronym.

AWARE was dormant for 2 years until 2006.

Meet the Directors

Dr Keith Dutlow, BVSc, MRCVS

Founder Trustee and Director of Operations, Keith was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1994 and became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons by examination in 1996.
He has worked extensively in small animal and mixed practices in the UK, Australia and Zimbabwe. Keith’s introduction to wildlife work came through a job as an ostrich vet in Zimbabwe. In 2001, he took a record breaking 2026 ostriches by ship from Spain to Brazil. He has been working with other wildlife species, in particular lion, cheetah, elephant, rhino, buffalo, hyaena and small felids since 2004.

Presently, Keith’s main income is from Medi-Vet P/L Zimbabwe, the only Zimbabwean Veterinary Wholesaler licensed to import Dangerous Drugs used in wildlife capture operations. His role as Director of Medi-Vet largely subsidises his voluntary work in AWARE.

Keith met Lisa at UZ in 1994 and, being a slow starter, finally tied the knot in 2004.

Dr Lisa Marabini, BVSc, MRCVS

Founder Trustee and Director of Operations, Lisa was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. She graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1998 and became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1999. She has worked in small animal practices in Zimbabwe, Australia and the UK.
Lisa has always been passionate about the conservation and welfare of wildlife. She obtained her private pilot’s licence (PPL) for light aircraft in 1994 with a view to becoming a wildlife vet. In 2003 she spent a year trailing wildlife guru Dr Chris Foggin around on a voluntary basis. This led to a Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) funded project in which she and Keith tested 2000 cattle for various diseases in a remote section of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).

She has since worked with Keith, both in the wildlife arena and as co-Director of Medi-Vet. She maintains a strong working relationship with Chris Foggin and the Wildlife Veterinary Unit and is Assistant to the Chairman on the Zimbabwe Trans Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) Programme Conservation and Veterinary Subcommittee.

Christopher Scott, BJourn, PDMM

Director of Communications, Chris was born and has lived all his life in Harare, Zimbabwe. Qualified with a Bachelor of Photographic Journalism and a Post Diploma in Media Management from Rhodes University, Chris has been working in Southern Africa as a freelance photojournalist. His love for wildlife and travel sees Chris spending most of his time in the wilds of Africa documenting its wild areas and unique animals. Chris has dedicated a lot of his time and talent promoting conservation through his photography.