Dean Schneider

Dean Schneider (born October 3, 1992, Zurich, Switzerland) is a Swiss former entrepreneur, animal sanctuary founder, wildlife conservationist, and social media personality living in South Africa.

Dean Schneider
Born	(1992-10-03) October 3, 1992 (age 32) Zurich, Switzerland
Website	https://www.deanschneider.com/

Biography

Dean Schneider was born in Zurich. From a young age, Schneider was passionate about nature, drawing inspiration from his idol, Steve Irwin.^[1]

Schneider launched a financial company at age 21 and sold it to dedicate his life to wildlife conservation. After selling his business, Schneider moved to South Africa in 2017 and established the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, an animal sanctuary for rescued wildlife.^[1][2]

As of October 2024, Schneider has over 11 million followers on Instagram, 10.5 million on TikTok and YouTube alike.^[3]

Hakuna Mipaka Oasis

Dean walking with two male lions in the Live Wild Reserve

Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, meaning "no limits" in Swahili, covers about 400 hectares in South Africa. The sanctuary houses various animals, including lions, cheetahs, capuchin monkeys, meerkats, hyenas, and reptiles. It features large enclosures and a dedicated area, the Live Wild Reserve, for rescued lions. The sanctuary also conducts rehabilitation programs aimed at releasing some animals back into the wild.^[4][3]

Hakuna Mipaka Oasis keeps its location private and does not allow public or tourist access.^[1][2]

Partnerships and financial problems

Schneider has faced financial challenges in maintaining Hakuna Mipaka Oasis. He acknowledges that his income from social media is insufficient to cover all costs and that he cannot rely consistently on donations, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schneider has been hesitant to enter into partnerships with large brands, preferring to maintain his values and mission.^[1]

Controversy

In May 2020, UK's The Times reported that Schneider was under investigation by South Africa's animal welfare agency following a video he uploaded, in which he struck one of his lion cubs on the paw after it scratched his face, causing a bleeding wound above his right eye.^[5] Schneider defended his actions, stating the lion was unharmed and that he was teaching it about boundaries.^[6] The matter eventually subsided without any consequences.