Land Rover and Brain May combine to save African lions
Brain May and Land Rover joined forces yesterday to launch the Pride of Cape Town – a fundraising event for the Born Free wildlife charity, in South Africa.
A colourful pride of fifty life-sized, 30kg lion sculptures were released into South Africa's popular V & A Waterfront, as part of the event - to highlight the work of the international conservation charity.The pride of lions will eventually be auctioned off, after they have 'prowled' the streets of Cape Town to raise awareness of the issue.
Born Free’s founder, Virginia McKenna, hopes the event will make people more aware of the plight of Lions, who’s numbers have 'dramatically dropped' due to 'persecution, loss of habitat and unsustainable trophy-hunting'.
She said: “Their position has never been more perilous and there may be as few as 25,000 left across the entire continent and it’s crucial that we act now before it’s too late.”
Queen’s lead guitarist, who accompanied West End and Broadway singer Kerry Ellis at the event, explained how everyone - even people at home in the UK - can get involved in the initiative.
He said: “You can help too – via the People’s Lion - you can sponsor this special lion with as little or as much as you’d like and you can donate directly at bornfree.org.uk”
In return, your name will be painted on the People’s Lion and along with the rest of the pride, the People’s Lion will be auctioned off in May 2013 in Cape Town, to raise vital funds for helping to save African wildlife. It could well be the most expensive lion ever!”
In September 2011, Land Rover had helped Born Free raise a grand total of £75,000 for their conservation efforts.
To get involved with the campaign and learn more, visit the official website.
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