Joanna Lumley Becomes a Proud Patron of Rhinos’ Last Stand

We’re delighted to announce that the BAFTA award-winning actress, author and activist, Joanna Lumley OBE, has joined the team at Rhinos’ Last Stand, helping us spread awareness of the issue of rhino poaching, the drastic need for a new solution, and to encourage support from across the globe.

With a long-standing and hugely successful career in both TV and film, Joanna has delivered some of the most iconic roles over the decades including Sapphire in Sapphire and Steel, as Patsy in the comedy classic Absolutely Fabulous, and as Purdey in the long-running action series, The New Avengers, to name but a few…  She’s also a much-heralded presenter and narrator on many travel documentaries and programmes.

A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, during her extensive travel over many continents, Joanna has become increasingly aware of our planet’s many vulnerabilities, including World Heritage Sites, geological and geographical features, and the threat of extinction to several species, including the iconic and much-loved rhinoceros.

Joanna Lumley said: “Currently, each day, three rhinos are needlessly hunted, butchered and killed for their horns. At this rate the species will be extinct in less than 4000 days. The horns are brutally poached for high-paying consumers, who wrongly believe that they cure cancer and all manner of illnesses and ailments.

“Fresh thinking and new technology is needed, and it’s now available thanks to Rhinos’ Last Stand and its years of research, testing, and trialling. Their aim is to use a combination of expertise and technology to help protect and save this most beautiful mammal, once and for all. I am honoured to become a Patron for this project, and encourage all generations to come together and help put an end to this outrage before time runs out.”

Mike Kendrick, Founder and CEO of Rhinos’ Last Stand, added: “It’s absolutely fabulous that Joanna Lumley has pledged her support to Rhinos’ Last Stand. Our mission is to preserve this majestic creature at this highly critical time and for many more years to come, and we can only do this by making as many people as possible aware of the current situation and by rallying support from around the world.”

It seems that every week I receive emails asking if I will help endangered species. Everything from whales to gorillas, from gibbons to elephants. There is no judgement involved. No deciding ‘which is most important?’ or indeed which is closest to extinction.

Call it conservation, protection or law enforcement combatting wildlife crime such as poaching, hunting and trade in the skins, bones, and blood of wild animals. Worldwide trade in wildlife is as widespread as drug trafficking. It seems a never-ending battle, but there are some glimmers of hope, especially when someone comes up with a new deterrent.

Rhinos’ Last Stand involves the unique colouring of rhino horns with a pink dye. It does the animal no harm, but it instantly renders animal trophies as valueless to the collectors that are plundering them. This solution sounds almost like the title of a children’s book. “The Rhino with the pink horn”. We hope it will have a happy ending. This may well be the Rhinos’ Last Stand but only in the sense  of ‘NO MORE’.