Bo Derek and Djimon Hounsou Fight Serengeti Poachers in Beverly Hills at the WildAid Annual Gala

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – November 10, 2019 – Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel was host to the WildAid Annual fundraising Gala on November the 9th in Beverly hills. WildAid is a global conservation organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife trade. The Gala named “A Night in Africa,” had in it’s presence, Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o and CEO of Angermeyer Cruises, Fiddi Angermeyer who were honored as this year's Wildlife Champions for their partnerships with WildAid in support of the organization's message, "Poaching Steals From Us All.”

Nyong’o, who accepted her award via a video message, spoke of her experience learning about elephants and the ivory trade with WildAid "The work of WildAid is so important because it is a reeducation, a reorientation of the value of nature to us,” said Nyong'o. “What they are doing is making a huge difference in raising awareness on behalf of elephants, on behalf of wildlife, and on behalf of human beings, as well. It’s for our own good.”

Nyong’o has been a prominent advocate for elephant conservation, traveling to Kenya with WildAid in 2015 to publicize the threat of poaching and most recently partnering with WildAid on Discovery’s best-rated series, Serengeti, which follows the lives of Tanzania’s majestic animals. 

Hollywood star Djimon Hounsou who gave this years’s keynote speech, stated “In my native country of Benin, we have one of the few remaining lion populations in the beautiful park of Pendjari. It is my deepest hope that Africa’s wildlife (which is part of our history and a deep part of our culture) continues to be an essential part of our future,”. He also introduced Bonang Matheba (Queen B), a South African media personality, who will receive the E! People’s Choice Award for African Influencer of 2019.

Additional gala attendees included Ashley Bell, John Corbett, Taylor Dayne, Bo Derek, Blake Freeman, Madison Hildebrand, Peter and Corie Knights, Eva LaRue, Jason Lewis, Louise Linton, Mena Massoud, AnnaLynne McCord, Thomas Middleditch, Carter Oosterhouse, Graham Phillips, Maggie Q, Eli Roth, Amy Smart, Jennifer Tilly, Jonathan Tucker, and more.

Wildlife Champion, Fiddi Angermeyer owns Angermeyer Cruises, which has more than 30 years of experience in Galapagos Islands travel and is a world-class tourism operation that understands that conservation is good for business. In 2016, Angermeyer Cruises renamed their 173-foot luxury yacht to “WildAid’s Passion” and committed to donating proceeds from charters.

This year’s gala, “A Night in Africa,” featured musical entertainment, captivating performances from “The Cirque” and the Compton Kidz Club, and a vegetarian meal specially curated by the Beverly Wilshire following a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with specialty drinks made with the newly released Elegance Vodka by Elegance Brands Inc. Attendees participated in a silent auction and live auction offering luxury items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Live Auction sponsors included Blue Marble Private, ROAR Africa, Angermeyer Cruises, Fine Art Photographer David Yarrow, Lindblad Expeditions, Misool Resort, Promontory and Meadowood Napa Valley, Meridian Adventure SAIL, Soneva, Elegance Brands Inc., and Natural World Safaris. Gala sponsors included Elegance Brands Inc., Chantecaille, Moon Hollow Estate, and Kelleher International, all of whom support WildAid in its mission of wildlife conservation.

This year’s Gala was enjoyed by all, a sumptuous 3 course meal, the finest Vodka, great music, and a very fun, lively auction, all in the name of raising money for such a great cause. Thanks to the efforts of WildAid and everyone who attended this fabulous event, “A Night in Africa” ended up raising more than 1.08 Million dollars that evening!

About WildAid

WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn, and shark fin soup. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and a global network of media partners, WildAid leverages more than $230 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. For more information, visit WildAid.org and follow us @WildAid.

We look forward to attending a WildAid event in the near future.