InBlack Panther,Danai Gurira’s fierce warrior character, Okoye, has a special connection with the strong, loyal rhinos of the Wakanda. But Gurira’s devotion to these animals extends beyond the screen.
The Walking Deadstar recentlyteamed up with WildAidto speak out about the catastrophic effects of poaching.
“We’re still losing our rhinos to ruthless poachers, who kill these beautiful animals, just because people want their horns for carvings, jewelry and curses,” Gurira says in one ofher new PSAs for WildAid.
The ads are part of the actress’ larger anti-poaching campaign with the environmental organization, called “Poaching Steals From Us All.”
Along with highlighting the frivolous cruelty of poaching, the campaign also celebrates Zimbabwe’s animals and parks, and the heritage, tourism and beauty both bring to the country.
Gurira hopes this campaign, which is running across Africa online and on billboards, has an effect on the next generation of potential conservationists on the continent and across the globe.
“It’s deeply important to me that little boys and girls from my primary school and many others across my country, the region and the continent, now and in generations to come, get to enjoy the majestic creatures that are part of their heritage and that we have been entrusted to protect,” said the award-winning playwright. “Together, we must directly address the core of why poaching exists to begin with, the beliefs and values that must be challenged to drive down the demand.”
WildAid.org
This starts with encouraging everyone to stop buying goods made from rhino horns and elephant tusks, since “when the buying stops, the killing can too,” she added. This message is already having an effect, according to WildAid.
“Wild rhino populations are at critically low levels,” WildAid CEO Peter Knights said in a statement. “It will take all of us working together, from the park rangers and government leaders in Africa to the rhino horn consumers in Asia to end poaching in our lifetimes.”
source: people.com
