Conservationists head to the Hancock in aid of the cross-river Gorilla

 

Some of the world’s leading conservationists, academics and artists are heading to the North East this month in aid of one of the planet’s most endangered species.

Around 120 people will attend Into the Wild, a fundraising gala dinner at Newcastle’s Great North Museum:Hancock, on 18 March, to shine a light on the plight of the cross-river gorilla.

One of the largest and rarest primates, the cross-river gorilla lives in the dense, uninhabited forests of Cameroon and large scale destruction of their habitat means fewer than 300 remain.

The event has been organised by the Cross River Gorilla Project, which promotes and supports the work of the Cameroon conservation charity and the Environment and Rural Development Foundation.

They plan to develop a series of research facilities located throughout the Southwest Province of Cameroon to help aid their conservation efforts and introduce initiatives to help support those who live in the local communities, especially women.

The black-tie event will be hosted by the museum’s event specialists, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, and, following a three-course meal, guests will be invited to take part in a silent auction featuring a painting by acclaimed Cameroonian artist Boris Nzebo, whose work is exhibited in London’s prestigious Saatchi Gallery.

Guest of honour at the dinner, in the museum’s Living Planet Gallery, is Louis Nkembi, winner of the Whitney award for his distinguished services to the conservation and founder of the Environmental and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), a Cameroonian NGO established to protect the globally important rainforests of the Lebialem Highlands.

Speeches will also be given by Lucia Nkembi, who will discuss the plight of marginalised women in the communities that surround the conservation areas and John Daniels, director of Cross River Gorilla Project, who will talk about his last trip to Cameroon, in February 2017.

For further information about Cross River Gorilla Project visit www.crossrivergorillaproject.co.uk.