The Real Africa Trust is delighted to announce an exciting new campaign called Explorers against Extinction which will culminate with an evening at the prestigious Royal Geographical Society, London on 12 October 2017 with special guest Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, described by the Guinness Book of Records as the 'World's Greatest Living Explorer'.

This unique event aims to highlight the threat of extinction to some of Africa's most iconic species including elephant, rhino and lion.  Leading explorers, adventurers, wildlife experts and conservationists will come together for what promises to be an entertaining yet thought-provoking evening, to make a stand against extinction and help raise money for specific projects.

Also in attendance will be a number of leading wildlife artists and celebrities ranging from Olympians to film stars, who have kindly donated work to the Trust's Sketch for Survival art exhibition.

'Sketch for Survival' comprises an extensive collection of artwork, which will be unveiled online in mid July. The collection features both professional pieces donated by leading wildlife artists including Karen Laurence Rowe, Pollyanna Pickering, Clive Meredith and Gary Hodges as well as pictures drawn by celebrity sketchers and conservationists. All artwork will be available to purchase via online auction in the weeks leading up to the event. Key pieces will also be exhibited in central London this autumn as well as at the event itself.

All profits from Sketch for Survival and the Explorers against Extinction campaign will support the work of the Real Africa Trust's nominated partners, each one being pivotal in the battle against extinction.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) is a pioneering conservation organisation which rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and other wildlife, and is dedicated to the preservation of endangered species and the protection of habitats. DSWT celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

Animals saving Animals (ASA) is a small organisation dedicated to the training and deployment of specialist anti-poaching dogs to squads across Africa protecting elephant, rhino and lion. 

animalssavinganimals.org

Notes:

• Experts estimate 90% of African Elephants have been lost in the last century, largely due to the ivory trade. Today there are less than 400,000 African Elephants with one being killed on average every 15 minutes.
• Black rhino have been around for over 5 million years but today less than 5,000 remain. At the current rate of poaching for their horn there is every chance black rhino will be extinct in the wild within the decade.
• Lion also face a battle with their population decreasing. 750,000 lions used to roam free in Africa, today there are, tragically, less than 20,000 largely due to human/wildlife conflict and a reduction in their home range, the bushmeat trade and trophy hunting.

Tickets for the event are available via Ticket Source and cost £20-£100. Premium tickets include a VIP drinks reception from 6pm, with a chance to meet Sir Ranulph Fiennes, along with other explorers, guest speakers, artists and celebrity guests and a private view of Sketch for Survival.

ticketsource.co.uk/real-africa-trust

Note for Editors:

Please contact sara@realafrica.co.uk if you would like to run a promotion for Explorers against Extinction in your publication - for example a limited time discount code on tickets for your readers/followers, or a competition to win a pair of VIP tickets.