The Art of Survival

PRIDE OF LIONS STALK THE STREETS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CONSERVATION

"The lions taught me photography. They taught me patience and the sense of beauty, a beauty that penetrates you".

Yann Arthus-Bertrand (Environmentalist, activist, journalist and photographer).

World Lion Day 10th August 2021 - launch of the #TuskLionTrail

The African lion is one of the most iconic and revered mammals in the world but did you know that half of Africa's lions have been lost in the last 25 years? There are now fewer wild lions left than rhinos! Their future survival depends the ability of lions and humans to coexist as the threats they face stem from human actions: climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, prey depletion, human-lion conflict and poaching.

To highlight the their current plight, whilst raising vital funds to support community conservation and livelihoods impacted by Covid-19 across Africa, the charity Tusk has today, World Lion Day (10th August 2021) launched the '#TuskLionTrail'.This global sculpture trail, consists of 47 life-sized lion sculptures, which can now be found 'stalking the streets' of London, Bristol and Edinburgh in the UK, The Hamptons in USA, Wellington in New Zealand, Nairobi in Kenya and Sydney, Australia. Designed and created by over 45 international artists, musicians, comedians and sportspeople, the lions will be 'in situ' until the end of September 2021 to highlight the threats they face whist raising funds to support community conservation.

The London Pride includes a spectacular array of decorated lions from contributors including Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood, wildlife photographer, David Yarrow, artists Ian Davenport, Gavin Turk, David Mach and Jake Chapman, and actors John Cleese, Noel Fielding, Mathew Horne and Lee Mack. The installations encourage visitors to follow the 'trails' via easy-to-use physical and digital maps, allowing them to 'collect lions' as they go.

Rolling Stones guitarist and Tusk Ambassador, Ronnie Wood said, "Raising awareness and educating people about the impact of humans on our beautiful natural world and more specifically about threats posed to Africa's endangered lion population is very close to my heart. Channeling creativity via art is a big part of my life and painting two lion sculptures for the Tusk Lion Trail is something I have very much enjoyed doing over the last couple of months. I am very much looking forward to seeing the pride on the streets across the world in August."

All the UK artworks will be auctioned by Bonhams on 9th November 2021, with funds raised providing vital support for Tusk's conservation projects protecting lion and other iconic African species. The US lion sculptures will be auctioned at an event held in conjunction with ACCF at The Wolffer Estate in The Hamptons, on 27th August 2021.

For more information and to get involved, visit the website HERE.