Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood at the launch of the Tusk Lion Trail at Piccadilly Circus in London.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood at the launch of the Tusk Lion Trail at Piccadilly Circus in London.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood at the launch of the Tusk Lion Trail at Piccadilly Circus in London.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood at the launch of the Tusk Lion Trail at Piccadilly Circus in London.

World

Ronnie Wood unveils celebrity-created lions for British conservation campaign

Art trail to raise awareness about plight of endangered predator

Neil Murphy
Neil Murphy

August 10, 2021

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Some of the UK's best known celebrities have gathered for a new lion-themed art trail in central London.

Dozens of life-sized lions designed by artists and musicians have been unveiled across some of the UK capital's most well-known tourist locations.

The organisers of the trail, Tusk Trust, wanted to highlight the threats posed to "the King of Beasts" and raise funds for community conservation. Their initiative will last from August 10 - also celebrated as World Lion Day - until September this year.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has been closely involved with the project and on Tuesday posed next to a specially-created lion near Piccadilly Circus.

Wood, 74, has been a supporter of Tusk for over three decades due to his affinity with the majestic predators.

He said: “About 15 years ago I was in Kenya and took part in a lion-tagging exercise. They anaesthetised this huge animal and I held its paw: one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally with daughters Gracie and Alice, alongside artists Gavin Turk, David Mach and Hannah Shergold during the launch of the Tusk Lion trail at Piccadilly Circus.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally with daughters Gracie and Alice, alongside artists Gavin Turk, David Mach and Hannah Shergold during the launch of the Tusk Lion trail at Piccadilly Circus.

His wife, Sally Wood, also designed a Lion King-themed creation which has been placed near Carnaby Street, the famous fashion epicentre of London in the 1960s.

Others involved in the project include actor John Cleese, presenter Noel Fielding and comedian Lee Mack.

The trail will also visit other global locations, including New York's Hamptons; Wellington, New Zealand; and Nairobi, Kenya.

The lion statue designed by Jake Chapman in Leicester Square, central London part of the Tusk Lion Trail which aims to raise awareness about threats to the animal's existence and conservation efforts to help the species. Picture date: Tuesday August 10, 2021.
The lion statue designed by Jake Chapman in Leicester Square, central London part of the Tusk Lion Trail which aims to raise awareness about threats to the animal's existence and conservation efforts to help the species. Picture date: Tuesday August 10, 2021.

Tusk Trust have warned that the African lion population has shrunk by half over the past 25 years, due to conflict with humans and competition for space.

It said "the Tusk Lion Trail is an art trail with a difference", which will "raise awareness of the urgency to protect all wildlife in Africa and to support the communities sharing the same landscapes."




Updated: August 10, 2021, 6:14 PM