RoaaAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
The Global White Lion Protection Trust is proud to announce the winners of the White Lion R.O.A.R Award, [the White Lion Recognition of Animal Rights Award], launched in 2007 to publicly acknowledge individuals and organizations that adhere to sound conservation principles and actively work to protect the rights of all animals - particularly those of the White Lions.
Above is the White Lions message of support and acknowledgement for those of true conservation spirit!! Can we put it better?
There were many strong contenders for the award. Chris Mercer is dedicating his life to campaigning against Canned Lion Hunting (http://www.cannedlion.co.za/); Louise Joubert has offered herself and her sanctuary to the same cause (http://www.sanwild.co.za/) and Gareth Patterson (author of 7 books on the subject of lions) was amongst the first to bring these malpractices to public awareness in his unforgettable expose, Dying to be Free (1989). The Born Free Foundation has been responsible for rescuing lions for two decades while many groups and individuals have strong credentials and bone fide conservation objectives, and are proactively addressing the crises facing wildlife today. View our list of nominees at http://www.whitelions.org/ and http://www.whitelions.co.za/.
Many thanks to the public for nominating individuals, who are dedicated to preserving animal rights and whose challenging and important work is worthy of support.
In the category of Best Organisation: the 2007 winner is Drakenstein Lion Park, run by Paul Hart and his wife Sue, whose genuine expression of love and respect for animals and nature have driven them to create a sanctuary for rescued lions. There is no captive breeding, nor petting of lion cubs, because as Paul rightly points out, this human imprinting perpetuates the injustice towards lions and dooms these cubs to a life of captivity, or the hunter's bullet. Paul Hart's facility will be all the more vital if the Government goes through with its proposed shut-down on canned hunting operations. We ask the public to offer their support for this authentic and dedicated venture. Drakenstein Lion park is in the Cape and is open to the public, with lovely cottages for overnight visits.
In the category of Best Individual: we are pleased to announce Rita Miljo, for her life-time's dedication to conservation and her tireless courage to stand up for nature's rights. Although Rita has played a significant part in campaigning for the rights of lions held captive in the canned hunting industry, and furthermore has been active in the public participation process in respect the drafting of predator policies, our vote goes to Rita for her heartfelt commitment to the preservation of baboons. As the King of Animals and the very 'top of the food chain', the White Lions represent love and preservation of all animals in the web of life, and so it is fitting that the 2007 White Lion ROAR Award should be given to the champion of Baboon rights.
Founded in 1987, Rita's organization C.A.R.E has this year successfully reintroduced three baboon troupes back into the wild. To assist, please visit http://www.primatecare.org.za/.
Cash prizes of R 5 000 in the Best Organization Category and R 3 000 in the Best Individual Category will be awarded to the winners in support of their work. They will also each receive a very special gift from the White Lions themselves: a walking stick carved from Tambotie wood originating from the lions' own endemic land, with the handle made from a warthog tusk taken after the animal was hunted by the White Lions themselves. It is nature's offering to the winners.
The walking sticks were lovingly carved by Nelias Ntete, a member of the indigenous community participating in the craft development programme initiated by the Global White Lion Protection Trust earlier this year.
Nelias has lived and worked on the land for 55 years.
*** Once again, we do ask the public to exercise caution when visiting or supporting lion camps or other operations that are not listed on our website, as they may not be the 'conservation minded' reserves that they claim to be.
Our details:
Global White Lion Protection Trust [IT 8575/02; 048-299 NPO; 930019129 PBO]
P.O. Box 85040
Emmarentia 2029
+2711 482 2977 +2772 350 0666
info@whitelions.org
www.whitelions.org
