Using art to help conservation.
Throughout this year, Jacha has, as always supported conservation projects close to his heart. One of the ways he helps is by donating a piece of his work that can be auctioned off to raise funds.
This year he has donated three paintings to three different causes. The paintings were; a Leopard, a Rhino and a Vervet Monkey.
Remembering Leopards
The leopard painting Jacha did was for the Remembering Wildlife series of books. Each year Margot Raggett puts together a book to remember a different species. Jacha has previously been involved with the Great Apes, Painted Dogs and Bear books.
This year the focus species for the book was Leopards. Jacha painted the below painting which was then included as a prize in the Kickstarter campaign which funds the printing of the book. Jacha was thrilled that the painting raised £600 for the cause. The money raised from the sales of the books will be donated to conservation projects supporting Leopards across the world.
Helping Rhinos
Next up was a painting of a young Rhino orphan called Leko. This time the charity to be supported by this painting was Helping Rhinos. Jacha has supported the work of Helping Rhinos for a number of years now, with his Rhino sculpture; Edith, which stands on the platform at Betws-y-Coed Railway Station. This year he painting Leko, a young orphaned Rhino that Helping Rhinos rescued and are caring for. This painting will be auctioned off later this year to raise funds to support projects such as Leko’s rehabilitation.
Umsizi Umkomaas Vervet Rescue Centre
The third painting was of a Vervet Monkey, this time the money raised will go to Umsizi Umkomaas Vervet Rescue Centre. This is a small centre in South Africa that rescues and rehabilitates Vervet Monkeys. Sadly these small primates are thought of as vermin by many in South Africa, and so many are killed or injured. Tracy Rowles has dedicated her life to caring for these sweet little monkeys. Tracy regularly rescues very young vervets who’s mothers have been killed, she cares for them and helps to put them together with other orphans so that they can create their own troops.
This painting raised $3,000 when it was auctioned and the money will help fund a better enclosure for the monkeys during their rehabilitation.
