An exhibition that throws the spotlight on the importance of preserving Cambodia’s rainforests and wildlife opened at Phnom Penh’s Friends Future Factory, with elephant artist Lucky Girl joining the show.
Suwanna Gauntlett CEO of Wildlife Alliance, said the wildlife organization has thrown its weight behind the exhibition, with elephant artist Lucky Girl making a special appearance to show her incredible artistic skills.
She added, the Alliance also actively supports the campaign through its daily work to protect Cambodia’s wildlife and forests.
Gauntlett said the exhibit also highlights the government’s commitment in preserving one of the last unfragmented rainforests in Asia, the Cardamoms Rainforest.
Lucky Girl’s talent for painting on canvas makes her audience feel love for the forests, which serve as the elephant’s home, Gaunltett added.
“Today, I want to make an appeal to our younger generations. You are the forest, you have the power to make a change. Stop the snaring inside forests that are killing many of our wildlife, stop eating wildlife,” Gauntlet said in a video message posted on Twitter.
At Monday’s exhibition, a description said Lucky showcases vivid paintings and serves as Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center’s friendliest animal ambassador.
Wildlife Alliance said that Lucky’s welfare is always the Alliance's highest priority and while Lucky is painting, she gets plenty of food-based rewards. "No negative association is ever used with any of our elephants. Lucky paints only behind the scenes at Phnom Tamao, as an enrichment activity not as entertainment for the public, if she doesn’t want to paint, she doesn’t," the Alliance said.
Wildlife Alliance said that proceeds from the sale of Lucky Girl's paintings support care for Phnom Tamao’s animals that have been rescued from snares and the clutches of the illegal wildlife trade.
It added that Phnom Tamao Sanctuary offers a safe haven to these animals, as well as provides an environment where they can recover physically and mentally.
Animals saved by the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) are relocated to the sanctuary. Each animal is assessed for release based on its health and strength to survive independently in the wild. The sanctuary is currently home to more than 1,200 animals.
The exhibition runs until February 4.
