Ivory Free Campaign Launched

WildAid, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Save the Elephants and Animal Planet are calling on the public to do its part to end the ivory poaching crisis by taking the Ivory Free pledge at ivoryfree.org. The new campaign asks consumers to pledge to never buy, own or accept ivory as gifts, and to support stronger government bans and actions to tackle the illegal ivory trade.

Says African Wildlife Foundation CEO Patrick Bergin: “It’s about building a critical mass of support. The more people who sit up and pay attention to what is happening to Africa’s elephants; the more people who champion this cause and demand action from their governments on this crisis, the harder it will be to ignore the uproar.”

The Ivory Free partnership has been launched in conjunction with the premiere of “Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming”—a new program that follows WildAid ambassador and former NBA star Yao Ming on a journey to Africa to see its natural beauty and witness the devastating elephant and rhino poaching crises. The ivory-free website and program are part of a larger ivory demand reduction campaign involving WildAid, AWF and Save the Elephants, featuring celebrities in public service announcements aired throughout China and other countries.

“We all share this planet with each other and with these majestic animals. We all have a responsibility to do something to save Africa’s elephants. We all have to do our part. I’m doing mine, and you can do yours by going to ivoryfree.org and taking the pledge,” says WildAid Ambassador Yao Ming.

“This is a global problem that requires global solutions, from both individuals and governments. That’s why we’re asking people to take the pledge at ivoryfree.org to never buy or accept ivory, and to encourage their governments to enact stronger domestic bans on the ivory trade,” says WildAid Executive Director Peter Knights.

“Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming” premieres on Animal Planet in the United States on November 18 at 10 PM/9 Central and in the United Kingdom on November 21 at 9PM. Throughout the broadcasts, viewers will be prompted to take action by visiting ivoryfree.org. Those who take the pledge prior to the November 18 U.S. broadcast will have the option of having their names appear on screen during the broadcast.

The program was co-produced by WildAid, Natural History New Zealand and Animal Planet. The film features the work of WildAid, Save the Elephants, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Daphne Sheldrick and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Dr. Will Fowlds, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, African Wildlife Foundation, Tusk Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service, and South African National Parks.

For more information on “Saving Africa’s Giants with Yao Ming,” view the Discovery press kit.