Pride Of Kenya

Things happened rather rapidly this week. Suddenly we had a name for the WildlifeDirect lion – Androcles. Before we get used to that, Peter, a friend of WildlifeDirect, who photographs, films and writes for the BBC, visited the artist who is working on the lion and took amazing pictures. And now you can see the first pictures of Androcles as he takes shape in the hands of the renowned artist, Mary Collis.

What’s Mary Collis telling the mighty Androcles?

Androcles is all about the message: all about communicating the plight of Kenya’s 2,100 lions. He wants to tell the world of the killings, the poisoning, the human-lion conflict. He also wants to tell the story of successful lion conservation efforts in Kenya, the good things good people are doing to save his kind from extinction, first in Kenya, then worldwide.

Boy Androcles, that there is a ‘rich’ mane you’ve got

Now, Androcles base colour is pinkish. Am told that colour is called Fuchsia. Looks like bright pink to me, but what do I know? But why paint a lion fuchsia?

His mane is also starting to look like money – ‘the moneyed mane’ so to say. I have an idea why this is so… Mary sort of mentioned it in a conversation we had. But would you by any chance hazard a guess?

Money, money, money: What’s with the cash?

Well, here is the chalenge for you. Can you tell us:

1. Why Androcles base colour is that pinkish fuchsia?
2. Why Androcles mane is starting to look like money?
3. Who was Androcles in Roman storytelling?
4. Why is our Androcles named so?

Another thing – we want you to help us get more information about lions. Lions in history, popular culture, mythology, or in any other way that you know about lions. Share with us links about lions, stories about lions and anything you want to share about and for lions.

Let’s save Kenya’s lions, together, while we have fun. And don’t forget to donate.

WildlifeDirect’s search for an artist to decorate their lion in the ongoing Pride of Kenya campaign came to a rather pleasant close. As Paula Kahumbu, WildlifeDirect CEO was asking around, Dino Martins of Dudu Diaries suggested she contact Mary Collis, co-founder of Nairobi’s Rahimtullah Museum of Modern Art (RaMoMa). Paula contacted her and she immediately agreed to be the artist for the WildlifeDirect lion. As Paula would learn later, Mary had the interest to participate in this exciting campaign even before she was contacted. It was thus a lucky streak that led Paula to her.

Mary and Paula brainstorming ideas as the lion holds still

On Monday, 3 August 2009, Paula went to Kuona Trust, the art studios that are casting half of the 50 fiberglass lions for this campaign, to meet Mary – who would be there to see the lions and to meet with Paula.

Mary is a renowned artist in Kenya’s art cycles. Her art fetches some of the best prices in this country and it is thus a privilege to have her work on this particular lion. During her meeting with Paula at Kuona, they discussed ideas of how to communicate the plight of the lion of Kenya using this ‘canvas’ that Born Free have provided. Specifically, how best do they communicate the message that Furadan poisoning is wrecking havoc amongst Kenya’s 2,100 lions. Great ideas were flowing and it is easy to see how this artist is among the best in this country.

Mary, Danda Jarolmjek (Kuona Trust) and Paula discuss over Tea

WildlifeDirect has an artist, a lion has been allocated, now they need to name it and raise funds to pay for it. Will you help? During Monday’s meeting there was a leaning towards portraying the lions as a dead lion – killed by Furadan – and someone suggested the name Morty. What do you think?