Final lion added to Bath pride
This week the Lions of Bath 2010 public art event unveiled its final pride member, outside The Huntsman Pub (near Bog Island). Chosen to highlight the decline of lions in the wild due to continued trophy hunting, this lion is named 'Big Game?'
In an ironic twist on the hunter and the hunted, the pub is taking 'Big Game' in at night to give him protection from the urban jungle.
Lion Aid is very proud to be associated with the Lions of Bath 2010 campaign and are particularly honoured to have been asked by design agency Walker/Jansseune, the sponsor, to help decorate this lion by providing statements about the plight of African lions.
The head of the lion has symbolically been ‘mounted’ on a trophy shield, and the body of the lion has been painted plain black, bearing stark golden written reminders of problems facing the lion in the wild, such as these:
• Back in the 1960s there were in excess of 200,000 lions on the African continent. Today, fewer than 20,000 lions remain, a dramatic decline of more than 90%.
• The problem for lions is people, but the solution for lions is people.
• In the summer of 2010 there will be more lions in Bath than there are currently in 75% of African countries.
• Despite a known declining population, trophy hunters are still shooting more lions than ever.
• A live male lion in the wild is priceless. His trophy on a wall can be bought for £30,000.
• The African lion is facing extinction during our lifetime.
Walker/Jansseune has been the agency involved with branding the entire Lions of Bath 2010 event over the past 9 months. www.walkerjansseune.co.uk
Lion Preview and Auction dates announced:
All 100 of the lion sculptures will be displayed in front of the Royal Crescent during the weekend of 9-10th October, allowing visitors to see them together for the last time. Family activities will take place alongside, including live music and entertainment, mini-lion decorating classes, and cookery demonstrations,
The charity auction of the lions will take place on Friday 15 October at the Assembly Rooms, and on Sunday 17 October at Komedia. For more information go to http://www.lionsofbath.com
