Shanghai Disney Resort Hosts “Join the Herd” Wildlife Conservation Campaign
Shanghai Disney Resort today launched a three-week Join the Herd Wildlife Conservation Campaign in partnership with WildAid and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The campaign opened with the showing of a special charity show of the Mandarin production of the Broadway musical THE LION KING to a full house at the 1200-seat Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Disneytown. The highly-acclaimed musical, which features a range of African animal characters, recently celebrated its 300th performance and is one of the longest-running Broadway shows ever in China.
The performance was well-received with the audience who were inspired by the story of the young lion, Simba, in the sprawling African Pride Lands and his determination to protect the Circle of Life. The story resonated strongly with the wild-life conservation theme of the Join the Herd campaign. A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales from today’s charity show will be donated to the China Wildlife Conservation Association to support wildlife protection in China.
Before THE LION KING, a panel discussion was hosted with representatives from the China Wildlife Conservation Association, WildAid and Shanghai Disney Resort, as well as WildAid celebrity ambassador Jiang Jinfu, with each sharing their understanding and support for the ban on trade in ivory and the Join the Herd initiative.
As part of the campaign, the Join the Herd Wildlife Photography Exhibition was also launched today and will remain open to the public until May 7 in the lobby of the Walt Disney Grand Theatre. Throughout the exhibition period, guests can view wildlife photographs and short films to increase their awareness of the importance of wild animals’ conservation and the global fight against the ivory trade. Top local celebrities including Lang Lang, Lin Chiling, Jiang Jinfu, Jiang Yiyan, Li Guangjie, Li Zhiting, Zhang Tianai, Yuan Shanshan, Fu Xinbo, Jiang Mengjie, and Wang Yuanke will speak out for wildlife as the ‘guardians’ through a specially made video, inviting the public to join the herd to save elephants and wildlife.
A panel discussion on wildlife conservation was hosted with representatives from Shanghai Disney Resort, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and WildAid, together with WildAid celebrity ambassador Jiang Jinfu. Participants signed their names to show support for the Join the Herd Campaign and call for public action.
Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort and Jiang Jinfu, WildAid celebrity ambassador took to the red carpet to watch THE LION KIING charity show and support the Join the Herd campaign.
While walking the red carpet, WildAid ambassador Jiang Jinfu, and leaders from Shanghai Disney Resort and WildAid signed their names to show support for the campaign, encouraging more public action on the topic.
From April 20 to May 7, the Join the Herd Wildlife Photography Exhibition will remain open to public at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre to increase public awareness on wildlife protection and eradication of the commercial ivory trade.