BORN TO BE WILD: Saving Africa’s Lions

We are proud to announce that our BORN TO BE WILD: Saving Africa’s Lions event raised over USD 140,000 for human empowerment and wildlife protection programs in Africa with USD 63,000 value in safaris still open for bidding on Charitybuzz until April 27th.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Richard Wiese, Host and Producer of ABC series “Born to Explore”. The auctioneer was Eliza Osborne, Executive Director at the Centre Pompidou Foundation. Guests included Donna Corbat, Event Chair, Michael Corbat, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup; actress and conservationist Shannon Elizabeth; Nina Griscom, Event Vice Chair; Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Event Vice Chair; Adam Roberts, CEO Born Free USA & Born Free Foundation; Richard Ruggerio, Chief of the Division of International Conservation for U.S. Fish and Wildlife; Felicity Twort from Stop Ivory and Stephen Ham from the African Wildlife Foundation.
100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and auction items will be granted to Empowers Africa supported programs that includes rural feeding programs, anti-poaching initiatives and income generating projects. The auction consisted of prints by Andy Biggs and trips from Africa’s top operators including Singita, Asilia Africa and Wilderness Safaris.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our honorees who are instrumental to African lion conservation:

• Dr. Craig Packer, Director of the University of Minnesota Lion Center
• Pippa Hankinson, “Blood Lions” Producer
• Ian Michler, “Blood Lions” Consultant
• Dr. Andrew Venter, “Blood Lions” Executive Producer & Wildlands CEO