By Ben Marcus
The WildAid Gala is coming up November 10 in Beverly Hills – so it’s time to get on board.
The About page for WildAid declares:
“The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion dollar global industry largely driven by consumer demand in expanding economies. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on scientific studies and anti-poaching efforts, WildAid works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts.
We also work with government and partners to protect fragile marine reserves from illegal fishing and shark finning, to enhance public and political will for anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce climate change impacts.”
An admirable cause supported by animals lovers at all levels of society. WildAid lists a lot of familiar names as members of the Board and Ambassadors, including: Prince William, Sir Richard Branson, Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, Leonardo Dicaprio, David Beckham, Harrison Ford, Jane Goodall, Kate Hudson and a couple dozen other international citizens who care about wild animals and can’t bare to see them killed and exploited.
Malibu resident Cindy Landon is one of those concerned international citizens, and she is involved in organizing and promoting the WildAid Gala on November 10 at the Beverly Wilshire. Last year, 650 guests learned about the illegal wildlife trade and WildAid’s conservation efforts and successes. The event raised $2.4 million for their programs, along with $1.2 million in in-kind donation and pro bono support.
The Local tracked down Cindy Landon and asked her about her involvement in the WildAid mission.
The Local: How are you involved with the WildAid Gala on November 10?
Cindy Landon: I am one of the co-chairs for the event.
The Local: How long have you been involved with WildAid?
Cindy Landon: his is my first year working with WildAid. I have been an animal activist for years and have been involved with several animal welfare organizations. I have heard of WildAid and their upstanding reputation throughout the years, so when I was approached to be a part of the gala, I was thrilled to participate.
The Local: Have you gone on expeditions/field trips/poacher-hunting trips with WildAid?
Cindy Landon: I have not worked directly with WildAid’s efforts but have been involved with other organizations. Most recently, I worked with Chris DeRose, the President and Founder of Last Chance for Animals, to finance an aircraft for the rangers at the Virunga National Park, the most biologically diverse protected area on the continent, located in the Congo and bordering Rwanda and Uganda, to track and intervene with poaching in the Park.
The Local: Where has WildAid been most effective in protecting animals from poachers?
Cindy Landon: WildAid doesn’t directly protect animals from poachers, however, its efforts absolutely do this indirectly. While the majority of wildlife conservation groups focus on scientific studies and anti-poaching efforts, WildAid targets consumers. If no one is buying the ivory trinket, then no one is killing the elephant. WildAid’s message is simple but strong: “When the buying stops, the killing can, too.” And this message is working. WildAid’s partnership with Yao Ming in China has helped lead to an 80 percent decrease in the consumption of shark fin soup. At the end of 2017, China, which was once the largest ivory market, banned all domestic ivory sales; a huge win for the world and WildAid, which was instrumental in supporting the government in this historic action. WildAid’s consumer approach is proven to work. So much has been accomplished, but our mission won’t end until the entire wildlife trade has ceased to exist.
The Local: What is the worst/most heartbreaking incident of animal poaching you have witnessed or been personally involved with.
Cindy Landon: There are so many heartbreaking incidents of animal poaching. One of the most recent occurred just last month near a sanctuary in Botswana where 87 elephants were slaughtered for their tusks. These magnificent, beautiful creatures were killed just for the ivory trade. Every 15 minutes an elephant is killed for its tusks. Literally, tens of thousands per year. Rhinos also have been relentlessly slaughtered for their horns. When I was in Tanzania last year a ranger reported to me that there were only 2500 rhino left in Tanzania. Africa is one of my favorite places in the world and to witness the devastation of the wildlife due to poaching and the ivory trade is unspeakable. Illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion dollar global industry driven by consumer demands. WildAid works to stop consumer demand for endangered species products and to ensure support for conservation efforts.
The Local: Are you involved with any specific area of concern with WildAid? Ocean? Land?
Cindy Landon: I am passionate about all animal causes. Factory farming is not only cruel and inhumane but a threat to all life. 80 billion (with a ‘B’) animals are slaughtered per year while being the number one cause of global greenhouse gas emissions, extremely destructive to the world’s forests, waste runoff pollutes water supplies, soil is eroded and corporate control of the food supply is increased. Then there is the urgent issue of poaching and keeping the poached animals from extinction. It’s heartbreaking to witness the mass destruction and exploitation of African wildlife. I know of many people and organizations out there on the front lines whom put there own lives in peril every day to ensure the survival of animals like the Mountain Gorilla, Rhino and Elephant. If drastic measures are not taken immediately my children will be the last generation in my family to see these majestic creatures. I believe as a society, as a species we must always think about our ethical and moral obligation not only to animals but all living things. I know that by doing nothing we are sewing ourselves into the history books as accomplices to the largest ongoing massacre of animals and the most destruction of natural resources.
Organizations like WildAid give me hope. Each one of us can make a difference and be a voice for the voiceless when we rescue a dog or stop buying farm factory products, eat more vegan and vegetarian meals, advocate for strict anti-poaching laws etc. etc. These are a few examples of how we begin to shift the collective consciousness and create great change together.
The Local: How wild are the WildAid galas?
Cindy Landon: WildAid’s galas are known for being incredible. There is top-notch entertainment (I mean come on, David Foster!?), stunning decorations and auction items like once-in-a-lifetime trips to the Galapagos to swim with whale sharks. But more than that, there is also a beautiful energy in the room of hundreds of people coming together for the same cause. It truly is a magical night you won’t want to miss!
The Local: What is the cost for people to attend, and what will be available to them?
Cindy Landon: There are a variety of ticket options and sponsorships available. Please find them all here: https://wildaid.org/gala/. However, all guests will enjoy performances from 16-time Grammy Award-winner David Foster as well as performances from The Cirque. Celebrity Master Chef Martin Yan will be creating this year’s vegetarian meal and there will be a live and silent auction featuring luxurious and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
The Local Malibu: How can citizens get more information on the WildAid Gala?
Cindy Landon: You can find all information about the gala here: https://wildaid.org/gala/
The Local: If people want to contribute their time, or donate goods for the raffle, what is is WildAid ideally are looking for, and how can people contribute?
Cindy Landon: WildAid is always looking for sponsors for its gala as well as unique and luxurious silent auction items. While there aren’t typically many opportunities to volunteer, simply being an everyday ambassador for WildAid and spreading its message and mission can educate others about the work that has been done and everything that still needs to be done to continue saving these innocent animals.
The Local: Are you involved with any specific area of concern with WildAid? Ocean? Land?
Cindy Landon: I am passionate about all animal causes. Factory farming is not only cruel and inhumane but a threat to all life. 80 billion (with a ‘B’) animals are slaughtered per year while being the number one cause of global greenhouse gas emissions, extremely destructive to the world’s forests, waste runoff pollutes water supplies, soil is eroded and corporate control of the food supply is increased. Then there is the urgent issue of poaching and keeping the poached animals from extinction. It’s heartbreaking to witness the mass destruction and exploitation of African wildlife. I know of many people and organizations out there on the front lines whom put there own lives in peril every day to ensure the survival of animals like the Mountain Gorilla, Rhino and Elephant. If drastic measures are not taken immediately my children will be the last generation in my family to see these majestic creatures. I believe as a society, as a species we must always think about our ethical and moral obligation not only to animals but all living things. I know that by doing nothing we are sewing ourselves into the history books as accomplices to the largest ongoing massacre of animals and the most destruction of natural resources.
Organizations like WildAid give me hope. Each one of us can make a difference and be a voice for the voiceless when we rescue a dog or stop buying farm factory products, eat more vegan and vegetarian meals, advocate for strict anti-poaching laws etc. etc. These are a few examples of how we begin to shift the collective consciousness and create great change together.
The Local: How wild are the WildAid galas?
Corinne Meyerson: WildAid’s galas are known for being incredible. There is top-notch entertainment (I mean come on, David Foster!?), stunning decorations and auction items like once-in-a-lifetime trips to the Galapagos to swim with whale sharks. But more than that, there is also a beautiful energy in the room of hundreds of people coming together for the same cause. It truly is a magical night you won’t want to miss!
The Local: What is the cost for people to attend, and what will be available to them?
Corinne Myerson: There are a variety of ticket options and sponsorships available. Please find them all here: https://wildaid.org/gala/. However, all guests will enjoy performances from 16-time Grammy Award-winner David Foster as well as performances from The Cirque. Celebrity Master Chef Martin Yan will be creating this year’s vegetarian meal and there will be a live and silent auction featuring luxurious and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
The Local: How can citizens get more information on the WildAid Gala?
Corinne Meyerson: You can find all information about the gala here: https://wildaid.org/gala/
The Local: If people want to contribute their time, or donate goods for the raffle, what is is WildAid ideally are looking for, and how can people contribute?
Corinne Meyerson: WildAid is always looking for sponsors for its gala as well as unique and luxurious silent auction items. While there aren’t typically many opportunities to volunteer, simply being an everyday ambassador for WildAid and spreading its message and mission can educate others about the work that has been done and everything that still needs to be done to continue saving these innocent animals.
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