Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o returned to her native country, Kenya, this week, where it was announced that she’ll be advocating globally for elephants with WildAid.
“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. “I have come to realize that when you know more, you do more. I want to encourage people all over the world to learn more about these incredible animals. From reading a conservation website like WildAid.org to visiting one of the many Join Lupita. Take the #IvoryFree pledge at IvoryFree.orgunforgettable, world-class national parks. I ask the world to end the current elephant poaching crisis by being ‘Ivory Free.'”
On Tuesday, Nyong’o described a “life-changing” visit to a national park and elephant orphanage:”It was my first time to really have an intimate experience with elephants. What struck me was how big they are, how quiet they are. It was really a breathtaking experience.”
As for why she wanted to join the fight, Nyong’o expressed her desire to make sure that such an experience could be enjoyed for generations to come. “I really do intend for my children to have that same experience,” she said. “I am proud of my Kenyan heritage, and part of that heritage is the incredible wildlife haven that is in our care. Poaching steals from us all.”
Each year, more than 30,000 elephants are slaughtered to satisfy demand for ivory in China and the Far East where it’s worth more than $2,000 a kilogram.
The 32-year-old actress has signed on to help save these African elephants by appearing in a series of WildAid advertisements aimed at raising awareness of the elephant’s plight. “It is time to ban sales of ivory worldwide and to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history,” she said.
