Mission Wildlife Celebration

Global Conservation Leaders was proud to be a sponsor for Mission Wildlife’s 10th-year celebration held October 7 at the Starlight Terrace at The Centre in Escondido.

Ewaso Lions Dr. Shivani Bhalla and Jeneria Lekilelei with Joy Wolf

This year’s beneficiaries were Ewaso Lions and Grevy's Zebra Trust, both working at the forefront to curtail the decline of these species in peril. The African lion population has declined by 43% in the last 20 years, while the Grevy’s zebra has become one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals.

By sponsoring the Lion Table, we were fortunate to be joined by the Ewaso Lions Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Shivani Bhalla, and Community Conservation Director, Jeneria Lekilelei, both traveling all the way from Africa to share insights about their work and the impact they are having on lion populations. 

The event offered a chance for attendees to meet the conservationists and hear about their work to save wildlife, and it offered interactions with animals including a sloth, lemur, alligator, kangaroo and spider monkey. We also enjoyed a lovely dinner and many silent and live auction items.

The event was a success and Mission Wildlife will be able to donate more than $81,000 to Ewaso Lions and Grevy's Zebra Trust. “That's thanks in large part to Global Conservation Leaders and other sponsors and large donors,” said Mission Wildlife Founder Julie Scardina.

Shivani Bhalla was very appreciative for the support from Global Conservation Leaders. Upon returning to Africa, she sent me a nice note letting me know they were home safely and that they had lots going on in the next few weeks. “We are hoping to collar a few lions, and work on plans for an environmental center that we are creating. The rains have begun slowly which is wonderful too,” she shared.

Mission Wildlife, founded in 2014, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer, organization that supports species conservation through fundraising, awareness and education. Global Conservation Leaders is proud to be a supporter of Mission Wildlife.

Joy Wolf with Julie Scardina