Reduce demand for ivory and put an end to the killing of Africa’s Elephants
San Francisco – WildAid is calling on the public to do its part to end the ivory poaching crisis by taking the Ivory Free pledge at ivoryfree.org. The new campaign asks consumers to pledge to never buy, own or accept ivory as gifts, and to support stronger government bans and actions to tackle the illegal ivory trade.
Ivory Free is a partnership between WildAid, Animal Planet, African Wildlife Foundation and Save The Elephants, and has been launched in conjunction with the premiere of “Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming” – a new program that follows WildAid ambassador and former NBA star Yao Ming on a journey to Africa to see its natural beauty and witness the devastating elephant and rhino poaching crises.
“We all share this planet with each other and with these majestic animals. We all have a responsibility to do something to save Africa’s elephants. We all have to do our part. I’m doing mine, and you can do yours by going to ivoryfree.org and taking the pledge,” says WildAid Ambassador Yao Ming.
“This is a global problem that requires global solutions, from both individuals and governments. That’s why we’re asking people to take the pledge at ivoryfree.org to never buy or accept ivory, and to encourage their governments to enact stronger domestic bans on the ivory trade,” says WildAid Executive Director Peter Knights.
“Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming” premieres on Animal Planet in the U.S. on November 18 at 10 PM/9 Central and in the U.K. on November 21 at 9PM. Throughout the broadcasts, viewers will be prompted to take action by visiting ivoryfree.org. Those who take the pledge prior to the November 18 U.S. broadcast will have the option of having their names appear on screen during the broadcast. The program was co-produced by WildAid, Natural History New Zealand, and Animal Planet. The film features the work of WildAid, Save the Elephants, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Daphne Sheldrick and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Dr. Will Fowlds, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, African Wildlife Foundation, Tusk Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service, and South African National Parks.
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WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to protect wildlife from illegal trade and other imminent threats. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn and shark fin soup. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and a global network of media partners, WildAid leverages more than $308 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too.
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