By Kenneth Atisele
Kenyan/Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o has become a global elephant ambassador with the international conservation organisation, WildAid.
Nyong’o has pledged to promote women’s issues‚ which include acting and the arts in Kenya.
‘I am proud of my Kenyan heritage‚ and part of that heritage is the incredible wildlife haven that is in our care‚’ Nyong’o said in a statement issued today, Wednesday, July 1, by WildAid.
‘I want to encourage people all over the world to learn more about these incredible animals. I ask the world to end the current elephant poaching crisis by being ‘Ivory Free.’ It is time to ban sales of ivory worldwide and to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history.’
Nyong’o spent time in Amboseli National Park with the Amboseli Trust for Elephants and at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nairobi elephant orphanage‚ meeting with local conservationists and filming messages for international distribution in Kenya‚ Tanzania‚ South Africa‚ China‚ Hong Kong‚ Thailand and the United States.
‘Poaching steals from us all and when the buying stops‚ the killing can too’.
She joins a host of international icons including Jackie Chan‚ Yao Ming‚ Edward Norton‚ Prince William and David Beckham who are featured in the campaigns.
