“Everyone who cares has a voice. The Peoples lion is your lion… if a world without wild lions is unimaginable to you, then please help us save them before it is too late.”
Virginia McKenna OBE, BFF Founder and Actress
Lion Conservation in Action
On the 3rd of May Rhino Africa attended the star studded VIP gala evening at the V&A Waterfront’s new African restaurant, Moyo, in aid of the Pride of Cape Town Auction. The Born Free Foundation is bringing the message to Cape Town that lion conservation is at a critical point. Africa is now home to less than 25,000 lions, a figure which stood at 200,000 only 50 years ago – some 25 countries in Africa no longer have lions.
For the last 8 weeks the spectacular pride of 30 lion sculptures have taken up residence in the V&A Waterfront, each a unique fiberglass sculpture, standing as a symbol of the heritage, architecture and regeneration of Cape Town. The gala evening saw the auction of these lions to raise funds to aid the Born Free Foundation in their crucial work to protect the falling numbers of lions.
Each lion was decorated and sponsored by influential individuals and companies, pledging their support for Pride of Cape Town. Some of our own favourite lodges and travel companies sponsored lions for the event: Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, The Shamwari Group and The Mantis Collection.
After donning the famous face-paint of Moyo, we took our seats for the auction, sharing the room with all 30 lions, each magnificent in design, a true symbol of the diversity and beauty of Africa. Co-founder of the Born Free Foundation and actress, Virginia McKenna OBE, spoke to us first. I had goose bumps as Virginia shared her memories working with lions, and the terrible population figures that the species is facing today.
Not only is it the destruction of the lion’s habitat, the conflict with farmers and trophy hunting, but lions are facing the same threat as rhinos from the East – the belief of many Asian countries in the mythical powers found in the bodies of these amazing creatures, making animal parts a hot commodity on the black market. For Lions, a substitute for tigers – it is their bones that apparently serve medicinal properties. Some think a Lion’s paw serves as a pretty base for the lamp on their bedside table.
Bidding for a Cause
The auction began and one by one each almost life-size multi-coloured lion flew off the stage to a proud new owner, each with its own story and decorated by a unique artist. Needless to say, we felt the need to shop, and by the time we reached Lot Number 21, it was our turn to bid, and we didn’t lose against our rivals. Dream Time left the stage with us, a glittering Lion, featuring shimmering silver stars against a midnight blue backdrop, interspersed with pledges of hopes and dreams.
We later met the artist of our lion, Kate Muller, along with Virginia McKenna OBE – both inspirational women working towards a better future for wildlife and our planet. Kate told us the message behind our lion:
“Dream Time lion was inspired by the knowledge that when we really follow our dreams, anything is possible. Magic happens. The message in the lion is to inspire and remind people to dream – be that for ourselves, for lions, for humanity or for our planet at large, putting positive energy out there makes things happen. Growing up watching “Born Free” over and over again it formed a corner stone of my life for the type of love and relationship I have with nature. Today seeing the strength and integrity in the work that the Born Free Foundation does, as well as having worked with the Landmark Foundation for the past 3 years on the Leopard and Predator Project, it has spurred me on to follow my own dreams for helping wildlife.”
The Born Free Foundation
The Born Free Foundation is not only a symbol for lion conservation but for the protection of endangered species the world over. Emergency teams rescue vulnerable animals from their miserable and terrifying lives confined to tiny cages, suffering the cruelty of circuses and the appalling conditions of zoos. With the funds from Born Free, elephants, big cats, apes, dolphins, polar bears and many more species are moved to safety, living in spacious, open cages, whilst conservation efforts take place within the wild populations to ensure the future of these magnificent species.
Nearly 50 years ago Virginia flew to Kenya with her husband Bill to make the film “Born Free”, starring as the real life couple, Joy and George Adamson, who raised the orphaned lion cub, Elsa and then released her into the wilderness of Kenya. In 1984 Virginia and Bill formed Zoo Check, a charity which later evolved into the global force that is the Born Free Foundation today.
The funds raised from the auction will go to creating ‘lion-proof’ bomas, allowing Born Free to help farmers guard their livestock and stop the revenge killings that are destroying the lion populations throughout Africa – a simple, cost-effective and efficient solution with a success rate of 100%! One village chief told Born Free, “Now I can sleep with my wife at night, not my animals thanks to Born Free!”
The auction raised a stunning R300,000!
Please read more about the amazing work of The Born Free Foundation, and be inspired to do your part for the animals, so that your children may one day travel to Africa and have the opportunity to see wildlife, in the wild.
“We can’t stand by while the symbol of Born Free is exploited and destroyed. Please, help us build a future for lions. With your help, Born Free pledges to be at the forefront of the struggle for lions. If you love lions as we do, please, send us a gift today.”
Virginia McKenna OBE
By travelling with Rhino Africa Safaris you are doing your part to secure a better future for Africa’s wildlife and local communities. We work with hotels and companies that share our vision. We donate a percentage of our profits to charities and we run our own annual fund raising cycling event called Challenge4ACause ensuring that revenue from tourism helps uplift local communities and conserve wildlife.