Lions spotted on the Downs!
It’s part of a campaign to raise awareness of plummeting lion populations in the wild
A pride of 25 lions has emerged on The Downs in Bristol, settling in for a three month stay. But don’t worry, these lions are harmless and made of bronze.
The statues have been installed to help raise awareness of the threats lions are facing in the wild. From habitat destruction, poaching and illegal pet trading, lion’s numbers are rapidly dwindling.
Each statue is based on a real lion, and follows their story as lions face an ever growing list of threats in the world.
Virginia McKenna, Co-Founder & Trustee said: “These real lions mean so much to Born Free. Each has its own unique and powerful story. Through those individual stories, visitors will learn so much about lions that they could never learn through watching them in captivity”
The exhibition entitled ‘Born Free Forever’ has been funded by the charity Born Free and designed by internationally recognised Australian artists Gillie and Marc.
The 25 life sized lions were welcomed to The Downs with a special opening ceremony with Born Free Senior Wildlife Consultant Ian Redmond OBE, Born Free Patron, actor Dan Richardson, and Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy, Cllr Kye Dudd.
Founder of the Born Free Charity, Bill Travers MBE passed away in 1994, and this year would have marked his 100th Birthday. His son Will has marked the occasion by making 2022 The Year of the Lion. The charities founders acted as George and Joy Adamson in the 1996 film Born Free, which tells the true story of the rehabilitation of the Lioness Elsa, who takes centre stage in the exhibition.
Will Travers hopes people will be inspired to act when they see his exhibition. The lion population has declined by 90% in around 55 years, and if this pattern continues, Lions could be extinct in the next 30 years.
Born Free Patron, actor Dan Richardson, said: “The dramatic decline in wild lion populations over the last century is mind-boggling and heart-breaking in equal measure. Decisive, positive action is imperative, right now.”
Born Free Forever runs for 3 months and is free to visit on the Downs.
Passers-by are encouraged to interact with the statues and find out more about their stories by using the QR code and uploading their selfies under the hashtag #walkonthewildside and tagging @BornFreeFoundation, to help raise awareness of the charity and exhibition.