Raising global awareness of conservation through exceptional art
The Tusk Lion Trail
Last year, Tusk’s global Lion Trail saw 47 magnificent, life-sized lion sculptures prowl the streets of eight major cities around the world from London to New Zealand.
Each sculpture highlighted the magnificence of lions, threats to their existence and the people working for their survival – raising awareness of conservation efforts across the African continent. Thanks to our bidders, the artists, and our generous sponsors, the initiative raised over £1.1m to protect lions and their landscapes. The sculptures were created by a multitude of famous faces, including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, wildlife photographer David Yarrow, and rugby legend Richie McCaw and contemporary artists including Ian Davenport, Gavin Turk, Helen Downie, Deborra Lee & Oscar Jackman, Nick Gentry and Hannah Shergold. The works of art were unveiled worldwide on 10 August 2021 to mark World Lion Day, after which they went on public display in cities including The Hamptons (special thanks to Donna Karan), London (thanks to HOLBA), Edinburgh (thanks to St James’ Quarter), Bristol, Sydney, Wellington and Nairobi. We want to send special thanks to the artists who gave their time and talent freely to create the magnificent sculptures. The sculptures spent six weeks prowling the streets around the world to celebrate African lions and the people that live alongside them. The pride are now in new homes, following a nail-biting auction at Bonhams in London. Huge thanks to DHL and Pickfords for their logistical help transporting these incredible artworks around the world. Tusk is enormously grateful to lead global partner DHL and global co-sponsor ISPS Handa for their generous support and without whom this hugely popular trail would not have been possible. Our sincerest thanks also go to the African Community & Conservation Foundation for enabling public display and auction of the sculptures in The Hamptons.
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Tusk Talk | 2022 Magazine
I always do my bit for Tusk, and this time it's the lions. I didn't realise how few of them we have. Their numbers are really diminishing. We musn't let that happen. Ronnie Wood - on why he took part in The Lion Trail
Main image Lion sculptures at Piccadilly Circus mark the launch of the Tusk Lion Trail Credit: Jeff Spicer Right There are approximately 24,000 wild lions in Africa today. Down from 200,000 a century ago. Humancarnivore conflict is one of the major causes of their disappearance from these habitats Credit: Lion Landscapes
