One of the most well know faces in the world paid a visit to the Kalahari last week as Angelina Jolie arrived at the Wildlife Sanctuary in Namibia.
Since 2010 when Mrs Jolie and her husband Brad Pitt founded the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt foundation they have been supporting the Namibian Wildlife Sanctuary and the projects that continue to take place there.
On her trip Ms Jolie had the chance to interact with the Namibian Wildlife Sanctuary's ambassador Cheetah cubs, Shiloh, Wonder and Odyssey and said about the cubs (one of which is named after her daughter Shiloh: ) "Shiloh watches videos of the cubs as they are growing. She loves that little cheetah Shiloh has a tough and independent nature, and cannot wait to visit and meet them herself."
Ms Jolie stopped by the Sanctuary to not only see the adorable Cheetah cubs, but to discuss conservation in Namibia with the owners of the sanctuary, Marlice Van Vuuren and Dr. Rudie van Vuuren. On the subject she said: "It is an honour for our family to be able to support the Sanctuary's mission to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of Namibia and to rescue threatened species. I look forward to working even more closely with Marlice and Rudie in the years to come, and with the government of Namibia, to build on the success and effectiveness of these projects, which hold many inspiring lessons for conservation around the world".
Since shooting her 2003 film Beyond Borders in Namibia, Ms Jolie has played a big role in animal conservation in the country. Through the foundation they have funded large animal conservation projects as well as a free health clinic, housing and a school for the local San Bushmen community.
Without the support of donors like Angelina Jolie and the willingness of volunteers of a less famous but no less important ilk, the Namibian Wildlife Sanctuary and other similar nature reserves would not be able to run and provide the support and help that they currently do to animals that are often endangered or in trouble.
If you would like to aide cheetah conservation in Namibia then please take a look at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuaryproject page.
