Camps Bay High School Matric students, Drew Goldie and Sebastian Byrnes have been passionately involved in the raising awareness for the plight of big cats in captivity in South Africa and worldwide for the past 6 years. As Big Cat Youth Ambassadors they have raised over R78 000 with their Big Cat Youth Collection of handmade lions for various ethical Big Cat Sanctuaries in South Africa.
Their latest project involves raising funds for the Train Tiger Rescue which aims to rescue 4 Bengal tigers who were abandoned in a train truck in Argentina. The tigers were part of a traveling circus and the owner abandoned them in a train truck, leaving them in the temporary care of a farmer who has no big cat experience. Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary and The Wildlife Advocates Foundation have stepped in to relocate the tigers. Ubuntu have offered the tigers a permanent home at the sanctuary in South Africa. This is a mammoth project which is incredibly costly.
Said Drew Goldie, “We are very excited to announce that thanks to the generous support we received for our Train Tiger Rescue Fundraiser, we have managed to donate R7 400 to Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary which will be used for their rehabilitation once they arrive at their new home here in South Africa. Thank you to everyone who made this possible and especially to Tiger Wheel & Tyre for their incredibly generous donation.”
Added Sebastian Byrnes, “We still need to raise more money for their veterinary and daily care, so if you still would like to help, please click on this link to find out how you can donate: https://www.facebook.com/411690706233542/posts/934614317274509/” or for more information email bigcatyouth@gmail.com.’
Jurg Olsen, owner and founder of Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary is thrilled with contributions from Drew and Sebastian. Said Olsen, “These two young people are truly inspirational! We are very grateful for the contribution. With regards to the Train Tiger Rescue, we have invited Drew and Sebastian to join us on the trip from the airport to Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary when the tigers arrive in South Africa. We are not quite sure when that will be as yet but we really would like Drew and Sebastian to be part of this as their incredible contributions are definitely helping us get the train tigers to their new permanent home.”
Photos supplied
