On Saturday, October 4, 2014, people in more than 100 cities around the world participated in the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, calling attention to the slaughter of these magnificent animals for the illegal wildlife trade. PAWS participated in marches in San Francisco and Los Angeles that attracted thousands of people and raised awareness of the dire situation elephants and rhinos face in the wild and the need for worldwide action. This is just one of the many advocacy actions that PAWS is involved in to help wild animals in need.

San Francisco

This year's event in San Francisco (above) attracted more than 2,000 participants

PAWS president Ed Stewart, with Kim Basinger, at the San Francisco March.

lifting colorful signs and chanting as they marched. The march began at St. Mary's Square Park in San Francisco's Chinatown district and ended at the United Nations Plaza, with plenty of cheers and thumbs-ups along the way from the public.

Joining PAWS at the San Francisco march was Academy Award-winning actress Kim Basinger, an impassioned animal advocate and PAWS supporter for more than 20 years. She marched alongside PAWS president and co-founder Ed Stewart, carrying the PAWS banner along the event route.

PAWS also proudly marched with Betsy Swart, U.S. executive director of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) in Kenya which aims to ensure the long-term conservation and welfare of Africa's elephants. Our colleagues working in Amboseli battle the horrors of the ivory trade up close and have lost beloved elephants to merciless poachers.

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MARCH

A rousing rally followed the march, with Ed Stewart a featured speaker. He urged the crowd to take action to save wild elephants, saying, "We have to do something and do it fast." He also announced that PAWS will be funding 8-10 anti-poaching scouts in the Amboseli National Park, where elephants are falling to the illegal ivory trade.

Video - Global March for Elephants and Rhinos San Francisco 2014 - PAWS president Ed Stewart addresses the crowd

Los Angeles

PAWS participated in the Los Angeles March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions, which began at the La Brea Tar Pits and made its way to the South African Consulate. The lively crowd of more than 500 marchers lofted signs and carried

Catherine Doyle, PAWS director of science, research and advocacy, speaks at the Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions in Los Angeles. Photo by In Joy Photography

banners calling everyone to arms in the fight against the extinction of these iconic animals.

The Los Angeles march differed in that it also called attention to the plight of wild lions, whose populations are quickly declining or disappearing altogether. Only seven African countries are believed to each contain more than 1,000 wild lions.

PAWS Director of Science, Research and Advocacy Catherine Doyle addressed event participants at a post-march rally. She spoke of how wild elephants, rhinos and lions are unique individuals, each with intrinsic value, saying, "That's why we need to keep marching, keep fighting for their lives." PAWS' friend Kat Kramer entertained the enthused crowd with her rendition of "Bless the Beasts and the Children."

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE LOS ANGELES MARCH

Courtesy of In Joy Photography

It is estimated that 35,000 elephants are killed annually across Africa so their tusks can be carved into expensive statuettes and trinkets. More than 1000 rhinos were slaughtered for their horns last year, which are used in traditional Asian medicine. At this rate, we may witness the end of elephants and rhinos in our lifetimes unless we can stop the demand and end the killing. 

Whether the cause is fighting for the preservation of elephants, rhinos and lions in the wild - where they belong and must be protected - or to end the use of wild animals in entertainment, PAWS engages in advocacy actions that get results.

PAWS advocacy efforts include our upcoming International Captive Wildlife Conference, November 8-10 in Los Angeles, with exciting panels featuring many of the world's leading animal protectors. Learn more about issues affecting captive wild animals, from orcas to elephants, and what you can do to help. For more information, a list of our 50+ speakers and moderators, and the conference program, click here.

The LA March

PAWS continues to take effective action for wild animals every day, but we can't do it without your help.

Please make a donation today to support PAWS' advocacy efforts. Most of our funding goes to caring for the rescued and relocated wild animals at our three captive wildlife sanctuaries, leaving little for advocacy programs that aim to stop the exploitation and abuse of wild animals.

Your generous contribution will save the lives of animals in captivity and the wild. Please support PAWS' advocacy programs today. To make a donation, click here.