Pollyanna attends DSWF Thirtieth Anniversary celebrations

In October 2014 Pollyanna was delighted to help fellow wildlife artist David Shepherd celebrate a fantastic landmark – 30 years of conservation through the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

The event was marked with a spectacular Wildlife Ball at The Dorchester, London. She is pictured above at the press call prior to the start of the evening with fellow attendees Dame Judi Dench, (left) legendary Queen guitarist, Brian May and his wife, actress Anita Dobson (right).

Attended by 400 guests and a glittering array of celebrities including wildlife film maker Simon King, and former cricketer David Gower the event showcased the amazing achievements of the last 30 years and called on supporters to continue the fight to protect the world’s iconic endangered wildlife. The event raised almost £200,000 – money that will go directly to the conservation projects to protect elephants, rhino, tiger, snow leopards and painted dogs that DSWF supports. Entertainment from the South African cast of The Lion King, who arrived fresh from the West End lent a celebratory buzz to the event making it a truly unforgettable evening for wildlife.

“David once told me that he become a conservationist overnight, back in 1960, when he came across 255 zebra lying dead around a poisoned waterhole in Tanzania” Pollyanna said “The DSWF has contributed an incredible amount to the protection of endangered species over the past three decades. David’s energy, passion and commitment to conservation are inspirational”

The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation was pleased to mark the event with a donation of £3330.00 which will be used by the DSWF to help train and equip the forest guards in the Gujarat forest department in their work to protect the last surviving Asiatic lions within the Gir National Park, as well as sponsoring research and anti-poaching programmes carried out by the Wildlife Trust of India.

Recent funding has helped enhance the capacity of the frontline field staff by training them in wildlife crime prevention techniques. Pollyanna commented “It is vital that conservation organisations work together in our efforts to end wildlife crime. The programme the DSWF have initiated on the ground in the Gir national Park is effective and well co-ordinated, and we are pleased to be able to lend our support to this work.”

Once the Asiatic Lion roamed widely throughout Asia Minor, Arabia, Persia and India. Now there are estimated to be 350-400 lions left and the Gir Forest in Gujarat in North West India is their only remaining home.