#KoalaComeback is the powerful bushfire campaign you need to get behind

https://ift.tt/3aYtUhJ

Photographer David Yarrow has launched a gripping new initiative to save koalas impacted by the Australian wildfires

Getty Images

As bushfires continue to blaze their devastatingly destructive trail across Australia, as many as 32 people have lost their lives, 2,000 homes have been destroyed and more than a billion animals are believed to have perished.

With the crisis showing no signs of ceasing, charities worldwide have launched a wave of campaigns aimed at helping victims, humans and wildlife alike.

The latest effort comes from British photographer David Yarrow, whose #KoalaComeback initiative aims to raise $2 million for WildArk and Earth Alliance’s Australia Wildfire fund.

The concept is a simple yet moving one: Yarrow is using the devastating photos he captured during a recent trip to Australia to build his campaign, in the hope that the images will encourage people to donate to support local organisations working on wildlife rehabilitation and habitat restoration.

View this post on Instagram

Join me today in becoming a Koala Hero by supporting the #KoalaComeback Campaign! This powerful image, called ‘Survivor’ comes from photographer @DavidYarrow, who has launched the campaign with @wild.ark to raise $2 million to support recovery efforts in Australia. Make a small donation (see link in bio for @DavidYarrow) to receive and share a digital print and help make this campaign go viral. Fifty percent of the proceeds raised through this campaign will be directed to @EarthAlliance ’s Australia Wildfire Fund, and WildArk will use the remaining donations to support local organizations working on wildlife rehabilitation and habitat restoration. Wildlife experts estimate that more than a billion animals have been killed, including up to 30 percent of the koala population living in New South Wales. This is particularly devastating for the country with highest rate of mammalian extinctions on Earth. “‘Survivor’ portrays the heartbreaking bleakness of this crisis, but it also serves as a symbol of hope for the future; the solidarity behind this effort has been inspiring,” said WildArk CEO John Hardman. “The koala, as an iconic Australian animal, represents all of the wild places in need of restoration. Supporting species rehabilitation and habitat restoration on Kangaroo Island and throughout New South Wales and Victoria will be essential for the koala recovery process and for the thousands of other species who are represented in these targeted areas.”

A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) on Jan 29, 2020 at 2:02pm PST

So far, the initiative has received endorsement from the likes of Leo DiCaprio, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Tom Hardy and Chris Hemsworth.

The celebrities are taking to social media to share the most powerful image from Yarrow’s portfolio, of a lone koala sitting helplessly at the base of a tree. Aptly named ‘Survivor’, the emotive shot forms the holding image of Yarrow’s campaign.

Every donor to the initiative will receive a digital print of the same image, which they are encouraged to share on their own profiles to help the campaign go viral.

Getty Images

‘The day in Australia when I saw 500 dead animals for every live one will remain with me forever’, said Yarrow, discussing the inspiration behind sharing his photography on such a wide scale.

‘This is a call to arms and we are blessed with a celebrated army of passionate conservationists.’

Discussing the impact of ‘Survivor’,  Yarrow said: ‘I hope that this photograph will become known and emblematic of a period in time when we all became aware of our planet’s deep fragility – and that it can help us raise money to make a difference.’

Become a ‘Koala Hero’ by lending your support to the #KoalaComeback Campaign today.

The post #KoalaComeback is the powerful bushfire campaign you need to get behind appeared first on Marie Claire.

from Marie Claire https://ift.tt/37FQcD9
via IFTTT