David Shepherd
Save Black Rhinos on Black Friday
14/11/17 13:06 Filed in: Art
At ‘The ART OF OPPORTUNITY Affordable Art Sale’ on Friday 24th November 2017
To coincide with ‘Black Friday’, a shopping tradition which started in the USA the day after Thanksgiving, and is so-called after the custom of businesses recording their losses in red ink but their gains in black, The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is holding an ‘Art of Opportunity: Affordable Art Sale’ both on-line and in their newly re-furbished gallery below their offices at Saba House, 7 Kings Road, Shalford, nr Guildford, Surrey.The ‘Art of Opportunity Affordable Art Sale’ which will run on towards Christmas, will not only give supporters the chance to buy a selection of stunning prints at reduced prices from the charity’s on-line catalogue, but in addition a selection of eclectic art donated by artists and trustees from their own private art collections. In addition to more well-known wildlife artists there are items from esteemed painters William Russell Flint to Terence Cuneo. Proceeds from the sale will go to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, enabling funding of not only black rhino but a host of other species conservation projects across Africa and Asia which they fund in order protect some of the world’s most endangered animals.
Karen Botha, CEO DSWF said “This really is a wonderful opportunity to buy a wide variety of art to suit varied styles and tastes – not only for yourself but as early Christmas gifts for your friends and family.”
All proceeds after costs from the sale of each original piece will go directly to support the work of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation funding vital conservation initiatives across Africa and Asia.
A Cinderella Story
16/12/15 14:55 Filed in: charity
Surrey Supporters Part of Conservation First
Supporters of Shalford-based wildlife charity, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, have played a key part in a conservation first by helping to fund the rescue, rehabilitation and release of a rare Amur (also known as Siberian) tiger that has now become a mother.Orphaned in 2012, the then 5-month old tigress named Zolushka (Russian for Cinderella) was found malnourished and with severe frostbite. Her chances of survival looked slim.
“With as few as 450 Amur tigers left in the wild every tiger is vital to the continuation of this sub-species, the largest of all the big cats. And, although Zolushka’s chances of survival looked slim there was no way we were going to stand by and watch her die,” says Vicky Flynn who manages the charity’s TigerTime campaign.
Donations to support the tigers care came from across the world, through the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and a host of international NGOs. Gradually Zolushka gained strength; she was moved to a facility where she could be away from human contact and was taught vital hunting skills. By the spring of 2013 it was decided that she was ready for release back into the wild.
“This was a huge decision to make, the tiger has to be strong, able to hunt and retain a wariness of humans for releases back to the wild to work,” adds Vicky Flynn.
Zolushka was fitted with a satellite and radio collar and tracked by rangers and motion-sensing remote cameras and quickly began hunting badgers, wild boar and red deer. In January 2014, the camera’s also showed she had an admirer – a male Amur tiger.
“There aren’t many good news stories when you work to save wild tigers and when the latest news came through this week that Zolushka was the mother of two cubs we were ecstatic! All the hard work, all the cooperation and the funding had proved that wild tigers can successfully be re-introduced. For tiger lovers, it is one of the best Christmas presents we could imagine!”
It is believed to be the first time a released tiger has gone on to become a mother and raises hope for the survival of Amur tigers.
But Cinderella’s story doesn’t end here. She now has to protect and provide for her cubs through the sub-zero temperatures of a Russian winter.
“We have everything crossed for Zolushka. Now, more than ever, funding for our anti-poaching and park protection patrols in the Russian Far East are vital. They will protect not just Zolushka but other rare Amur tigers too,” adds Vicky.
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation has a long history of supporting Amur tigers and was part of an international coalition that worked to bring the species back from the brink of extinction in the 1990s when numbers crashed to around 100. Today, they continue to fund key tiger conservation projects in Russia, India and Thailand to protect wild tigers.
You can find out more and donate at www.davidshepherd.org or www.tigertime.info
Wild Wonders
Children’s Global Canvas Art & Poetry Competition 2016 now open for entries – come together to celebrate the wild wonders of our amazing world! AND meet award-winning children’s illustrator and author, Catherine Rayner at the Natural History Museum
Shalford based charity, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s 2016 Global Canvas Art & Poetry competition is now open for entries. This exciting annual event, which attracted involvement from over 2,000 children in 2015, is open to children of all ages up to and including 16 year-olds and gives young people the chance to come together to express their concern for the environment through art and poetry.“The theme for 2016 is ‘Wild Wonders’ and we are inviting groups of children from around the world to think about the wonder of the wildlife and wild places that we share our planet with and to celebrate the biodiversity and importance of wildlife,” explains competition manager, Jo Elphick.
Entry closes 29 January 2016 when wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd, CBE, and award-winning children’s illustrator and author Catherine Rayner, will be among the judges selecting the shortlist to be displayed at the Natural History Museum, London, on Thursday 17 March.
“The sheer imagination and passion displayed when young people come together never ceases to amaze me. That children care so much about our wild world gives me real hope for the future of this beautiful planet that we call home,” says wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd.
David will be joined by Catherine Rayner, author and illustrator of Augustus and His Smile, at the Natural History Museum on March 17 when the overall winners will be chosen from the shortlisted exhibitors. As guest speaker, Catherine Rayner will also engage the children in the story of her life as an illustrator and author.
In 2015, television presenter Michaela Strachan attended the exhibition and prize-giving and was amazed by the variety and talent shown by the children involved.
“Clubs, classes and even whole schools had worked together; researching, designing, writing and painting to produce fantastic mini-exhibitions which demonstrate the issues our world faces,” said Michaela. “I was simply astounded by the talent on show.”
You can find out more about the competition, see a selection of the fabulous work from the 2015 competition and download entry forms by visiting the website at here >>> LINK
Dr Brian May leads the plea for wildlife at Surrey-based charity fundraiser
It was a sparkling night for wildlife at the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s annual Wildlife Ball
Hosted by The Dorchester in London on Friday October 9th, 300 guests mingled with celebrities to help raise over £150,000 for endangered wildlife. A stunning set from legendary Queen guitarist, Dr Brian May and singer Kerry Ellis - which included the premier of Brian’s launch video for Cecil’s Law and an acoustic version of Crazy Little Thing Called Love - was followed on the big screen by a heartfelt appeal from former Spice Girl, Melanie C, for everyone to play their part to help save wildlife.
“It was an incredible night for wildlife,” says CEO Sally Case. “The depth of support that we, as a small charity, generate illustrates just how important wildlife is to so many people and to the sustainable future of our planet and all of us, where ever we live.”
Calling for supporters to be part of the generation that cares, David Shepherd’s granddaughters – the artist Emily Lamb and the Foundation’s event manager, Georgina Lamb - echoed the call for the younger generation to take up the baton to protect precious wildlife and wild spaces.
Adding additional excitement to the evening were Mark King from Level 42 (who sang happy birthday to a guest raising £1,000), TV presenter and auctioneer Charlie Ross who helped command almost £60,000 in the live auction of artwork donated by the Shepherd family, British designer and supporter Elizabeth Emanuel, TV presenter Kate Silverton and Olympic gold medal winning rower Alex Gregory.
About the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF)
DSWF is a small, effective charity funding key conservation projects in Africa and Asia working in partnership with local communities to find long-term, sustainable solutions to help save endangered mammals in the wild. Founded by wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd CBE in 1984, the Foundation’s art heritage plays a key role in fundraising to support key species such as elephants, rhino, tigers, snow leopards and painted dogs. In 2011, DSWF launched TigerTime to help raise awareness and funds for wild tigers. TigerTime has a social media reach of over 650,000 on Facebook and 33,000 on Twitter and with celebrity supporters including Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry and reach over 20 million with one tweet.
DSWF is based in Shalford, Surrey. For more information see: www.davidshepherd.org and www.tigertime.info
All images by CPG Photography
Prince of India to raise funds for TigerTime
17/06/15 16:24 Filed in: Conservation
Wildlife artist Richard Symonds has teamed up with TigerTime for a unique fundraiser to help save tigers in the wild
A life-long fan of wildlife artist and founder of DSWF and TigerTime, David Shepherd CBE, Richard has embarked on an exciting partnership that has created an amazing one-off work of art set to be unveiled at London’s Mall Galleries on June 29 (opens to the public June 30) as part of the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition that runs until Saturday July 4.
The magnificent life-size oil portrait of a Bengal tiger entitled ‘Prince of India’ will, however, be making a special guest appearance at the DSWF Gallery in Shalford, Surrey from Monday June 22 – Friday June 26 before it heads up to London.
“This is a great opportunity for people to come and see this truly majestic oil painting before it leaves for London,” says TigerTime campaign manager, Vicky Flynn. “With as few as 3,000 tigers left in the wild this will be a rare opportunity for people to see a life-size tiger and to have their photo taken with it.”
While selfies with captive tigers have been condemned by conservationists, the TigerTime team are encouraging people to take selfies with the ‘Prince of India’ to help spread awareness of the plight of the tiger in the wild by using the TigerTime and ban tiger trade hashtags when posting their photos on social media (#TigerTime #bantigertrade).
“Motivating people to act and to spread awareness is what TigerTime is all about,” adds Vicky Flynn. “We fund raise to support vital conservation, education, community outreach and undercover work across tiger range countries and have mobilized a huge following through social media with hundreds of people signing up to our campaign to ban the trade in tiger parts. With art very much at the heart of our charity, Richard’s idea fits perfectly into what we do.”
Talking about ‘Prince of India’ Richard Symonds said: “There is something so incredibly beautiful about the tiger that the thought of them being threatened with extinction in the wild is a real incentive to do something to reverse the decline. I’ve followed David Shepherd’s work, both as an artist and a conservationist and have been inspired to do what I can to help.
“'Prince of India' has been a real pleasure to paint and has taken in excess of 300 hours to complete. The whole painting process has been inside my studio but with the beautiful weather outside and my love of the great outdoors, I wanted to complete the last few brush strokes in a forest environment. A fitting end to the painting being completed in the wild – just as the tiger should be.”
As original and rare as a wild tiger, the painting will carry a price tag of £30,000 with proceeds supporting tiger conservation in India, Russia and Thailand. Prints of the ‘Prince of the India’ will also be available from June 22 at the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Gallery, 7 Kings Road, Shalford and online at www.richardsymonds.co.uk
The painting is based on a photograph taken by fellow TigerTime supporter, Michael Vickers (www.tigersintheforest.com) of the Chiroli Male - or T2 - a huge dominant male who ruled an extensive territory in Ranthambore. T2 died of natural causes two years ago but leaves a fabulous legacy including the current star male known as 'Romeo'.
If you are interested in buying Prince of India: please contact Vicky on +44 (0)1483 443851.
You can find out more about TigerTime at www.tigertime.info and join the growing global following on twitter @TigerTimeNow and find us on Facebook at TigerTimeNow.
Paul O’Grady on why he’s supporting the elephant orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia
28/04/15 16:15 Filed in: charity
I left my heart in Lusaka at the elephant orphanage. I was lucky enough to film there two years ago and I spent nearly ten days with the elephants there and in particular a baby elephant called Nkala. His mother had been murdered by poachers and he was a very timid little chap, he kept well away from all the other elephants – he was scared of them – he wouldn’t even go in the mud. He kept himself to himself and a sort of little bond grew between us and when something like that happens it’s magical because it’s a once in a lifetime experience. It is something I will never, ever, ever forget.
I got quite involved in the place, and to tell you the truth at the end of the shoot I announced to the crew, I’m not coming home…and they said you’ve got to, you’ve got six weeks of chat shows to do … and I said anybody can do that, but this is a special job, this is something truly special. And I’ll be honest with you, it took quite a lot of persuasion to get me away from the elephants and get me on to the plane home.
But I have never, ever forgotten them and I went back last year and my boy, that’s Nkala, has grown into a big healthy, hearty, jolly elephant and he joins in all the fun. When he first saw me again after a year I thought he must have forgotten me but he hadn’t … He was like a small child at a party, he was embarrassed and hid behind the other elephants and was quite coquettish, he’d peep out to look at me. Eventually, after about half an hour, he came squeaking over and we were pals again. And again I thought; this doesn’t get any better.
The work they do at the orphanage is remarkable, the bond between the keeper and the elephant is truly extraordinary and we have to help, because in ten years’ time there won’t be any wild elephants left, they’ll all be gone, along with the rhino and that’s shocking. Absolutely shocking. So we have to do everything in our power to help these creatures and to help the people who look after them.
I’m writing a children’s book about a baby elephant and a little boy – I’m going to try and do it at the end of this year – be out next year – and all the royalties will go to the orphanage. So let’s all do our bit and save the elephant.
Since 2011 an average of 20,000 African elephants have been slaughtered each year – their tusks hacked off and shipped abroad to be carved into trinkets and decorative ornaments. In the wake of this continuing illegal trade, orphaned elephants are being rescued across Africa and cared for in orphanages where resources are stretched. The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) set up Zambia’s first elephant orphanage and now supports its ongoing work to rescue, rehabilitate and release these precious animals back into the wild. At the time DSWF funds community outreach and education programmes to understand the importance of elephants to their environment and also funds anti-poaching patrols in Kafue National Park to ensure a safe habitat for all elephants.
For more information visit www.davidshepherd.org