- checking login information
Loading...Want to Fight Poaching? So Do Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire
The movie “Blood Diamonds” in 2006 with actor Leonardo DiCaprio brought worldwide attention to the human atrocities centered on the mining of diamonds in African war zones. For many it was the first time they heard the term or had any concrete understanding of the issues. DiCaprio and two of his buddies hope to bring that same kind of global awareness to the plight of African rhinos and elephants, both on the brink of extinction, with two new Hollywood projects.
Warner Bros. studios has given the green light to actors Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy to develop two separate films about the devastating problem of animal poaching and illegal animal smuggling in Africa.
The first project was written by Sheldon Turner (“Up In The Air”) and is being produced by Maguire and DiCaprio. The story was inspired by Hardy’s real-life friends who were former Special Forces operatives that became anti-poaching fighters in South Africa. The film will focus on how poachers are destroying the rhino and elephant populations in Zimbabwe.
The second movie, which is not yet written, will detail how “the trafficking industry” kills African animals so their tusks and horns can be sold for aphrodisiacs and “supposed” healing properties used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The projects come at a critical time for both the African rhinos and elephants whose populations are shrinking every month. Matthew Wilkinson, founder and editor of the Safaritalk blog, estimated that 50 rhinos are killed for their horns each month throughout Africa. He also stated “as of mid-October, 439 rhinos had been killed so far in 2012.” There are a reported 20,000 wild rhinos on the continent.
News is not much better for African elephants who are brutally slaughtered by poachers for their ivory tusks. Poachers even venture onto wildlife preserves to kill the animals.
There is no release date for either movie project, but for the sake of the animals, hopefully it won’t be too long.
Related Stories:
Photos Prove Nearly Extinct Sumatran Rhino Is Still Alive
Wildlife Poachers Face A New Enemy
Read more: african elephants, african rhinos, animal cruelty, animal rescue, animal welfare, anti-poaching, anti-poaching film, DiCaprio anti-poaching, endangered species, leonardo dicaprio, tobey maguire, tom hardy, wildlife
Photo Credit: EvaRinaldinameofphotographer
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
Thank you for sharing.
I'm not sure I'm comfortable with burning it.
Everyone should take a step back, and then read the comments that appeared overnight....the vegan comments…
meet our writers
110 comments
+ add your ownThank you Sharon, for Sharing this!
Great news. Thanks to everyone involved in the making of the films and through them informing the world that so many animals are being massacered and near extinct.
Thanks, Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, and to everyone else involved.
great news thanks for sharing :)
We need all the help now , in East and Southern Africa,poaching has escalated to highest levels never seen for before. Elephants and Rhinos ,and many other creatures are massacred!
great news!
Good.
Yeah I believe high profile actors can make a difference.
Most important is educating the Chinese people!!!
If this helps stop poaching, I totally support it, and I believe education and publicity does cause behavior and attitude change.
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment