The spectacular Pride of Cape Town lions are to be auctioned at a star studded VIP gala evening on 3May 2013 at the uber-chic new African restaurant moyo on the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, in aid of international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation. The charity’s founder, legendary actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna OBE who starred in the classic film ‘Born Free’ is also set to attend.

The splendid colourful life-size lion sculptures arrived on the Waterfront in March and have proved to be a major hit with tourists and residents alike. Flanked by the iconic Table Mountain and in the heart of Cape Town at the world famous V&A Waterfront, these impressive works of art with their unique eye catching designs have created a huge amount of pleasure and interest for the Cape Town crowd and visitors to this popular area.

All the lions are inspirational in their design and their individual stories have captured the imagination of the visiting public, from the ornate gilt Grand Africa Team lion, inspired by the story of a real life rescued lion, unmissable in his gold leaf pelage and crown of red roses, to the Freddie Mercury lion that toured the UK prior to making his grand arrival in Cape Town.

The Shamwari Group lion lovingly carries the hand prints of the children of Paterson, the nearest town to the Shamwari Game Reserve. The KFM lion was designed and painted by David Hlongwane who lives in the Khayelitsha township and works on Robben Island, previously the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for many years and, today, a famous museum.

Each and all of these lions have their own fascinating narrative and form part of South Africa’s rich cultural history. Renowned local and international artists have created a real ‘wow’ factor in these sculptures and are clearly the pride of Cape Town.

There are just over two weeks to go before the lions are taken off display and the excitement builds for their final showcase at the gala auction, where art connoisseurs, philanthropists, members of the public and people from the business community will get the chance to bid for these exquisite lion masterpieces.

Virginia McKenna OBE says, “At last the moment will soon be here when the amazing Pride of Cape Town lions will be “released” into the world, to spread their urgent message. Lion conservation is at a critical moment. The “king of the jungle” is confronted by terrible threats, and the prospect of the lion’s roar being silenced forever is no longer just a thought at the back of one’s mind. This is a challenge we have to win.

I am looking forward so much to returning to the beautiful city of Cape Town that holds many childhood memories for me, and to be joining everyone at the Pride of Cape Town lion auction – raising vital funds for Born Free’s lion protection and conservation work. The lion is our symbol. We have to make sure it is a living one.”

The lion statues have made international news around the world, with Queen guitar legend Brian May & singing sensation Kerry Ellis flying into Cape Town to announce the lions arrival and South Africa’s platinum selling recording artists, The Parlotones, performing on stage and calling for support. The lions have also become stars of the South African media, appearing on the Expresso TV Show and national and local radio.

The proud African lion is now widely recognised as one of the continent’s most endangered wild animals and is following in the plight of other endangered species fighting for their very survival. With rhino numbers brutally crashing and elephants massacred for their ivory by illegal poaching, the need to conserve this cultural icon of Africa has never been more urgent. Monies raised from the auction will go to support the work of international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation, in its work to protect and conserve Africa’s lions.

Sponsors of the lions include: Staedtler, Moyo, Land Rover, Chitwa Chitwa, Red Bush Tea, CP Construction, Lions Club International, Coca-Cola, KFM, Novartis, SAA, Grand Café & Beach, Shamwari Group, Mantis Collection, African Inspiration, Laugh it Off, V&A Waterfront, The Parlotones, Phoenix Mercury Trust, and 5FM.

Pride of Cape Town will culminate in a glamorous charity auction at moyo on the V&A Waterfront on 3rd of May 2013, where the entire Pride will be available to raise funds for lion conservation.

If you have a serious interest in placing a bid on one of our lions, please contact June McCann at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FOR ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT BORN FREE'S PR DEPARTMENT:

Shirley Galligan, PR Director T: +44 (0) 207 792 9668 M: +44 (0) 7773 848352
Kate Chapman, PR Officer T: +44 (0) 1403 240170 M: +44 (0) 7920 195512

Notes to Editors:

About the Born Free Foundation

The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. We rescue animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.

Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. For more information about Born Free please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk

About the Pride of Cape Town

Pride of Cape Town is a major public arts project which will see around 30 individually-designed lion statues take to Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront from March 2013. In May 2013, the statues, each an individual, one-off piece of art, will be auctioned off in aid of international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation.

Pride of Cape Town aims to raise awareness of the plight of the wild lion as well as vital funds to help the Born Free Foundation protect the threatened species in the wild.

For more information visit www.prideofcapetown.com