Bollywood, Egyptian stars visit world’s last northern white rhino at Ol Pejeta

Tourists take a closer look at a northern white rhino at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Two celebrities will visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy to raise international awareness on the world’s last northern white rhino. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP. 

In Summary

• He said the awareness will also help fight poaching that is threatening other rhino species.
• The visit will help raise international awareness of the plight of the northern white rhino, a subspecies whose future now depends solely on artificial methods of reproduction.

By BONIFACE MWANGI
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Two celebrities will over the weekend visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy to raise awareness on the world’s last northern white rhino.

The celebrities are Bollywood star Ms Nargis Fakhri and Egyptian actor, who is also the Human and Child rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Mr Khaled Abol Naga.

Mr Richard Vigne, Chief Executive Officer of the expansive conservancy, said they hope the visit will raise international awareness of the plight of the northern white rhino, a subspecies whose future now depends solely on artificial methods of reproduction.

He said the awareness will also help fight poaching that is threatening other rhino species.

Ms Fakhri is better known for her roles in Bollywood films and appearance on the globally popular series America’s Next Top Model.

HOLLYWOOD

Ms Fakhri made her Bollywood debut in 2011 in the film Rockstar, starring Ranbir Kapoor. Her success continued with Madras Café (2013) and Main Tera Hero (2014).

June 2015 will see Ms Fakhri make her first Hollywood appearance, with the release of the film ‘Spy’ which stars Jason Statham, Melissa McCarthy and Jude Law.

“She is no stranger to using her popularity to help endangered species. In February 2015 she was named as one of Animal Planet’s brand ambassadors for ‘Where Tigers Rule’ – a show that aimed to raise awareness, using celebrity endorsements, about the plight of India’s tigers. We are really optimist their visit will help save rhinos in a big way,” said Mr Vigne.

Mr Naga is a multi-award winning tv host, producer and director.

His work has earned him several Best Actor awards from Egyptian, Arab and International Film Festivals.

Throughout his involvement with UNICEF, Naga has frequently addressed difficult and taboo issues affecting children in Egypt, including HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation, children's rights, street children, and adolescents’ development.

“His activism also extends beyond children, and it is hoped he can use his influential platforms to highlight the plight of Ol Pejeta’s northern white rhino to a wider audience,” said Mr Vigne