LAND ROVER DESIGNS BORN FREE LION FOR PRIDE OF CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Land Rover and Born Free are collaborating together for the Pride of Cape Town – a major public arts event that will see a fantastic pride of fifty life-size lion sculptures prowling South Africa’s V & A Waterfront, in aid of international wildlife charity and Land Rover’s Global Conservation Partner, the Born Free Foundation.
On the 27 March 2012, Queen guitar-legend Brian May CBE and acclaimed West End and Broadway singer Kerry Ellis will make a special appearance at the Grand Café & Beach, Granger Bay, Cape Town, as part of a spectacular showcase to launch Pride of Cape Town.
Brian May, was last in South Africa in 2005 for the historic 46664 music concert in George, Western Cape, spearheaded by Queen and in aid of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
A selection of these impressive 30 kg sculptures will be officially unveiled at the exclusive launch party who will be amongst the first to have the opportunity to pledge their support and get involved.
Each stunning lion, sponsored by individuals and companies and uniquely decorated by international and local artists, will be released to ‘prowl’ the streets of Cape Town in 2013,
Mark Cameron, Land Rover Global Brand Extension Director said; “It’s fantastic that we’re able to lend our support to Born Free, our Global Partner and collaborate together in aid of the Pride of Cape Town. Land Rover’s iconic designs stretch right across the world and it is an honor that our Design team can help personalise the Land Rover lion for such an amazing and deserving cause.”
Virginia McKenna, Founder of Born Free Foundation said: “Since 2002, Born Free have worked closely together with Land Rover – from Sri Lanka’s Defender 130 elephant ambulance, to Defender vehicles in Kenya (anti-poaching), Ethiopia (protection of rare wolves), South Africa (lion conservation), as well as staff vehicle support in the UK. It’s absolutely brilliant to see the Land Rover collaboration for the Pride of Cape Town in South Africa.”
Pride of Cape Town aims to raise money for Born Free’s work to protect and conserve lions in the wild. Lion numbers have dramatically dropped due to persecution, loss of habitat and unsustainable trophy-hunting. Their position has never been more perilous and there may be as few as 25,000 left across the entire continent.
Born Free already has long-established links with South Africa and operates Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres at the prestigious Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.
Born Free Foundation’s partnership with Land Rover forms part of an integrated approach to sustainability and is one of six Global Humanitarian & Conservation Partners within Land Rovers’ sustainability strategy called Our Planet.
