About us

AWARE Trust came into being in 2004 when the trustees were looking for independent funding to perform an important disease surveillance project.

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 personnel...

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.

Dr Vinnay Ramlaul, BVSc

Vin was born in Durban, South Africa. He graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1992. He started working at the 24 Hour Veterinary Surgery, one of Harare’s busiest veterinary surgeries, in 1993. He attained partnership in 1996, and has been there ever since. His passion lies not only with small domestic animals but also wildlife. He is married to Sarah Carter who manages Bally Vaughan Animal Sanctuary for orphaned wildlife. Vin has been an integral part of AWARE’s sterilisation campaigns where his passion for surgery is demonstrated by the endless hours he spends spaying and castrating dogs.

 Dr Erick Mutizhe, BVSc

Erick was born, raised and schooled in Rusape, Zimbabwe.  In 2008 he graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a BVSc and shortly after, joined the Department of Veterinary Field Services.  Here he worked in Masvingo province as a Government Veterinary Officer as well as the Acting Provincial Veterinary Epidemiology Officer. He gained experience as a Provincial Focus Person in planning and managing FAO projects dealing with mass vaccination (e.g. of cattle and poultry) and surveillance techniques.  He also worked in a project involving the early detection and management of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Erick passed the South African equivalence examinations in 2009 and so is a registered member of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). In 2010 he represented Zimbabwe at the World Animal Health Organisation (O.I.E.) wildlife training workshop in Tanzania. In his spare time Erick is a musician and recorded one album in 2004 and a considerable number of copies were sold in the country. Erick joined AWARE in September 2010 as an Extension Veterinary Surgeon and performs the SPANA funded mobile donkey clinics around the rural areas of Zimbabwe. He is currently AWARE's only salaried employee. 

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.

Ashley-Kate Davidson, BSc (Hons)

Ashley-Kate was born and brought up in Harare, Zimbabwe. Schooled at Bishopslea Junior School and Arundel Senior School for Girls, she then went on to Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology and then proceeded to complete her Honours degree in Conservation and Biodiversity. She has always had a passion for animals, wildlife and the environment and spent many of her holidays assisting at the 24 Hour Veterinary Surgery. Since graduating she has done volunteer work at various institutions including several stints at Bally Vaughan Animal Sanctuary where she has raised  basketfuls of owls and helped in the recovery of many rescued animals. She has been involved with AWARE on a voluntary basis and is starting up an Urban Education Campaign for AWARE and is helping to raise AWAREness in the community about our environment.  She holds a Dangerous Drugs License and is currently working towards her Learner Guiding licence.

Ashleigh Erlank

Ashleigh was born in Masvingo 300km south of Harare. She has always had a passion for animals and started working for a veterinary surgery in 2006, learning the ropes as a theatre assistant. She has since started a Pet Checking Service for animals whose owners are on holiday. She has a passion for helping abused animals, and she came on the original Maramani spay campaign. In 2010 Ashleigh had a baby daughter, Amy. She is now a fund raiser for AWARE.

Sr Jayne Godfrey (AMACC, UK)

Jayne was born in Harare, Zimbabwe.  She obtained her Veterinary Nursing Diploma in 2001 through Animal Care College UK, and has since followed up her studies with the same College having done an Advanced Canine/Feline Care Diploma. She continues with the "Veterinary Technician" Journal monthly CE programme - U.S.A. She has worked at the University of Zimbabwe's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and prior to that was seeing practice at a few surgeries around Harare to gain experience. She runs a Petcare Service, checking on people's animals whilst they are away on business or holiday.  She intends to study Canine Psychology in the future - funds permitting. She has largely been responsible for AWARE's fundraising membership drive, and continues to offer support in the fundraising department.

Anton Newall

Anton was born in the UK, but raised in Zimbabwe. His love of wildlife and the outdoors saw him start working for Graeme Bristow in 2003, who trained him in most aspects of wildlife management and handling. Anton now manages the Lion and Cheetah Park in Norton and is a Dangerous Drugs Licence Holder. He has helped AWARE on various projects on a voluntary basis ever since Cleo the rescued cheetah was housed on his premises during her recuperation.