The Real Africa Trust is delighted to announce its partnership with Stanfords.

For over 160 years, explorers, travellers and adventurers have looked to Stanfords, as map and travel book specialists, to get them where they need to go.  Stanfords now links hands with the charitable Trust of conservation travel specialist Real Africa, in support of a new, exciting initiative, Explorers against Extinction.

Over the course of Stanfords’ long history the world’s wildlife has sadly faced enormous challenges. In the continent of Africa alone statistics are grim. 90% of African Elephants have been lost in the last century, largely due to the ivory trade. Black Rhino numbers have dwindled to just 5,000 while Lions also face a battle with their population decreasing from 750,000 to fewer than 20,000 today.  

Explorers against Extinction will highlight the plight faced by some of Africa's most iconic species while raising vital funds to support the work of conservation partners, each one 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.
• Animals saving Animals (ASA) is a small organisation dedicated to the training and deployment of specialist anti-poaching dogs to squads across Africa protecting elephants, rhinos and lions. 

Sara White, Real Africa Director said, “Wildlife conservation is at the heart of what we do. We’re very excited that Stanfords is collaborating with the Real Africa Trust and hope together we can raise significant awareness about the threats to our wildlife, from poaching to habitat loss.  Wildlife-based tourism starts with the local community - ensuring they benefit is key to long-term success and the future of iconic species.”

A gala evening at the prestigious Royal Geographical Society, London on 12 October 2017 will see two of the world’s most respected explorers, Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE and Col John Blashford-Snell OBE, come together, alongside young explorers and adventurers, to make a stand against extinction. In addition, leading wildlife experts and conservationists will join a panel discussion and Q&A hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell.

• Sir Ranulph Fiennes is widely regarded as 'the world's greatest living explorer'. He is currently striving to complete the Global Reach Challenge to be the only man alive to have crossed both Poles and to have climbed the highest mountains on all seven continents. The Daily Telegraph listed Ranulph Fiennes as, "one of the world's top ten speakers”. 

• Colonel John Blashford-Snell has led more than 100 expeditions to the riskiest and most remote corners of the globe. Adventures include crossing the Darien Gap, descending the Blue Nile, delivering a baby grand piano to a chief in the Amazon Jungle, driving from Alaska to Patagonia, and sailing from Bolivia to the Atlantic. He is known the world over for founding Raleigh International, under the patronage of the Prince of Wales.  Next year he is leading an expedition to the slopes of Mount Kenya.

Tickets for this unique conservation event can be purchased via Ticket Source.

Explorers against Extinction also incorporates an art exhibition entitled Sketch for Survival supported by leading professional wildlife artists, conservationists and celebrities who have all generously donated work to the collection. Some will be in attendance on the night including Pollyanna Pickering and gold medal winning Olympian Crista Cullen. All pieces will be available to view and bid for via online auction from 17 July with profits donated to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Animals Saving Animals.

Full details about the event and exhibition can be found at the dedicated Explorers against Extinction website.

Tony Maher, Managing Director of Stanfords said, “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Real Africa on Explorers against Extinction. It is a tragedy that, in this day and age, so many species are still under threat of extinction – but it need not be an inevitable tragedy. We hope that, with the help of our customers, we  can make a meaningful contribution to this important cause.”

Notes:

Stanfords

Edward Stanford Limited was founded in 1853 by Edward Stanford in Charing Cross Road in London. In 1901 the Company moved to its current flagship location in Long Acre, Covent Garden. Famed throughout the world as a publisher of maps, Stanfords expanded into retail following the move to Covent Garden. To this day Stanfords stocks the largest range of maps in the world as well as travel guides, the world’s largest selection of globes and other travel related product. It has a further shop in Bristol, a website and a specialist Business Mapping Service based in Manchester.

Edward Stanford Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edward Stanford Group Limited.

The Real Africa Trust

Explorers against Extinction and Sketch for Survival are organised by the Real Africa Trust, the charitable trust of Norfolk based safari specialist Real Africa. The Real Africa Trust was established in 2012. It is charity registered with the Charity Commission (number 1149508). The Trust supports conservation and education in Africa.