Angelina Jolie’s Animal Sanctuary

It is one of the news published by the media that has gained greater prominence in recent times. Angelina Jolie officially opened an Animal Sanctuary in Namibia, a country located in southwest Africa.

The purpose of this center is to provide shelter for elephants and rhinos that have been injured or orphaned. It is important to point out that many of these animals are victims of poachers.

The environmental reserve was named The Shiloh Wildfire Sanctuary . This title was given in honor of Shiloh, one of the six daughters of the actress with actor Brad Pitt. The girl was born exactly in this African country, 11 years ago.

The girl, who accompanied Angelina Jolie to the opening of the sanctuary along with her five siblings, was surprisingly grateful when she learned that the environmental project bore her name.

Illegal hunting in Africa. An endless problem?

The list of animal species in danger of extinction due to human action seems to be endless.

Image source: http://elpais.com

Gorillas and chimpanzees had their numbers greatly reduced, not only due to illegal hunting. This situation also happened because of diseases such as Ebola. Among the endangered species, there is also the African wild dog, which has lost its habitats, its prey and its hunting grounds.

Also at risk are the cheetah, the leopard, the pygmy hippopotamus and the lemur. The frequent wars in which most African countries are involved has also become another factor acting against animal conservation. And this disaster not only affects the fauna, but also the flora, in addition to the populations that live there.

Ivory, the cause of animal extermination

The ivory trade, that is, the illegal trade of elephant and rhino horns, which symbolize mystic-religious elements in various cultures, was one of the main factors that led both species to appear in the tragic red book.

It is estimated that in 2015 alone, 1,305 white rhinos were killed in Africa, while 80% of African elephants would have died victims of indiscriminate hunting between the years 2004 and 2014 (around 25,000 specimens).

Although many countries have created Animal and Wildlife Sanctuaries, the problem is far from resolved.

Namibia, in addition to Zimbabwe, were the most affected in recent years. This situation was brought about by the conservation policy that was implemented in South Africa. Many of the people who dedicated to killing rhinos and elephants in Nelson Mandela’s homeland started to act beyond the border lines. Now they are also looking to escape the strictest hunting regimes.

Are animal sanctuaries like Angelina Jolie’s enough?

In addition to the newly opened sanctuary maintained by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation , together with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Namibia, there are many territories destined to the conservation of certain animal species. Through these efforts, the objective is not only to ensure the survival of these animals, but also to serve them in the best possible way.

To properly equip The Shiloh Wildfire Sanctuary , the N/a’an ku sé Foundation , a partner in the environmental organization created by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, relied on the collaboration of companies such as Toyota.

This famous brand of automobiles offered all the vehicles needed to transport employees and the animals themselves, a fundamental detail when dealing with large tracts of protected land. In addition, there is a first-line veterinary clinic. It works with qualified veterinarians.

In addition, the government of Namibia is committed to institutionally supporting this and other initiatives aimed at protecting the local flora and fauna. In this regard, Hage Geigob and Monica Geigos, president and first lady of that country, respectively, spoke out. They made this statement in a private meeting they had with Angelina Jolie after the opening process began.

Tourism: an economic window for conservation

Namibia’s economy mainly depends on mining. Highlights include the extraction of diamonds, uranium and, to a lesser extent, copper, tin and lead. However, tourism has had a rise in recent years.

The country has become a common destination for thousands of visitors from all over the world. Tourists who want to experience an experience of contact with the wild, in countries with untouched landscapes and in the most natural way possible.

Therefore, initiatives such as the Sanctuary for Animals and Wildlife inaugurated by Angelina Jolie, in addition to encouraging conservation and generating positive publicity, also serve the economic interest of the State.