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White Lions: King of Kings |
More elusive than the African leopard, rarer than the legendary Snow Leopard of the Himalayas, and as white as the polar bear of Alaska, rumours of the existence of pure White Lions have lived in the African Oral Tradition for centuries. But there is only one place on earth were they have materialised: the Timbavati region, bordering the Kruger National Park of South Africa.
Prized for their rarity, the White Lions were artificially removed from their natural habitat into captive breeding/hunting programs in South Africa, and sent to zoos and circuses around the globe, most famously Siegfried and Roy's magic act in Las Vegas.
Tragically, all White Lions today are in captivity. After their forced removals from their sacred homelands, they have been extinct in the wild for over 12 years.
To the African elders, who are used to looking for spiritual signs in nature, the White Lions' arrival was the fulfilment of ancient prophecy that identified these majestic creatures as "angelic messengers from God". Identified as a sacred site by African Kings for many hundreds of years, the name "Tsimba-vaati" in the ancient Shangaan language means "the place where star-lions came down from the heavens". Born to the golden lion prides that roam the vast Timbavati region, the African elders explained their mysterious white colour in spiritual terms, meaning "purity and enlightenment", beyond all racial connotations. The White Lions are considered to represent pure sunlight, all the colours of the spectrum in one - beyond colour, creed, race or gender. The White Lions are a magnificent icon for South Africa's rainbow nation, and a unifying symbol across world cultures.
After studying the ancient knowledge of the White Lions with African elders from all cultures for over ten years, author and conservationist, Linda Tucker, founded the Global White Lion Protection Trust in 2002. The mission of the Trust is two-fold: firstly, to protect the lions themselves, which are at great risk from aggressive speed-breeding programs and trophy hunting, and secondly, to protect the indigenous knowledge that holds them sacred.
At last, after many years of struggle, the primary objective of the Global White Lion Protection Trust has been achieved: to return these unique animals to the ancestral land that is their birthright.
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UK/Norway Ghost of Africa Tour 2008 |
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Ghost of Africa Campaign –Return of the White Lions
UK Schedule for 23rd September - 7th October 2008
For Bookings: Please contact Karen-Jane at
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Location/Event |
1 October 2008
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White Lion Dream Workshop - Hazelwood House |
2 October 2008
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White Lion Dream Workshop - Hazelwood House
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3 October 2008
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Presentation - Liberal Club Ecological Crisis with guest speaker and conservation hero, Dr Ian Player
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| 6 October 2008 |
Evening Event - Little London, Tetford, Lincolnshire White Lions: 11th Hour Solutions to an Ecological Crisis
Contact
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7 October 2008
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Presentation - Oslo, Norway White Lions: 11th Hour Solutions to an Ecological Crisis
Contact Berit Brusletto
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Latest News and Highlights |
 As part of the trust's community development program, a group of 25 children from the Acornhoek community and their educators visited Nelson Mandela to do their "White Lion Madiba" Play. (Click here to Read More)
Our most enthusiastic and unparalleled expression of White Lion Pride was, without doubt, our visit to present our "Madiba, White Lion" play to Mr Mandela himself! 25 Learners from Funjwa Primary School in Acornhoek and their educators along with 6 representatives from the Global White Lion Protection Trust traveled to Johannesburg to meet with Mr Mandela.
Words are in short supply to describe the profound joy and celebration experienced by us all. We are truly grateful for the support and careful guidance of our friend and advisor, MP Mninwa Mahlangu (Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces - South African Parliament) and the Nelson Mandela Foundation in coordinating this special event. To the learners of Funjwa, we can only say: "Halala White Lion-hearted performers, Halala!"
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 There are numerous ways in which you can contribute to White Lion Reintroduction. Become a member or donate online. White Lion conservation starts with each of us! Read More
We are urgently appealing for funds for the second phase of the White Lion Reintroduction Project. Funding is required specifically for the ongoing management of our scientific research, anti-poaching and fence monitoring activities, habitat management, veterinary care and predation requirements.
As a scientific reintroduction programme, we are not a commercial reserve. To ensure the wildness of the White Lions in their endemic habitat, we are not open to public visitation. We, therefore, rely on donations and do not benefit from funds resulting from tourism activities.
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