During Owen Paterson’s recent visit, British Ironwork Centre learned the awful truth that African Rhinos could be lost forever within the next decade. Mr Paterson has taken on the important task of raising the alarm on behalf of the British Government who believes this must be stopped. He has recently returned from the Kenyan Bush after additional resources have been offered by the British Government to counter illegal poaching.
British paratroopers will help wildlife rangers with additional training in their everyday efforts to protect these wonderful creatures, and the British Ironwork Centre is determined to offer its support. To this end, a unique Rhino head sculpture was created by the company, which was presented to Owen Paterson, M.P, on Thursday 21st November outside the House of Commons at 10.45am.
In Photo from left, Clive Knowles – Managing Director of British Ironwork Centre, Middle - Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Alfie Bradley – Sculptor at British Ironwork Centre.
Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “We lose an elephant every 15 minutes and one rhino every 11 hours. I’d like to thank the British Ironwork Centre for this striking sculpture which is displayed in the department’s reception, reminding staff and visitors alike of the horrors of illegal wildlife trading and the short time we have, as a generation, to stop it. “We’re organising an international conference in February to work with leaders across the world to tackle the scourge of illegal wildlife trade.”
WWF-UK’s chief species advisor Heather Sohl WWF-UK’s chief species advisor Heather Sohl has said: “The scale of poaching we are now seeing is extremely worrying. 860 rhinos in South Africa have already been killed by poachers in 2013, this is a shocking increase from the 13 taken illegally in 2007. Governments need to act with pace and in a way that fits the seriousness of the crime – this is not just an environment issue; illegal wildlife trade transcends national boundaries and undermines national security and economic development in some of the world’s poorest countries.”
Tusk Trust Founder & CEO Charlie Mayhew MBE 'Charlie Mayhew MBE, CEO and founder of Tusk Trust, the African wildlife conservation charity, whose patron is the Duke of Cambridge, said, 'Tusk is delighted that the Secretary of State and British Government is taking such a strong lead on tackling wildlife crime and we are proud to have been a key partner this year to DEFRA's "If They're Gone..." campaign. It is wonderful to see the British Ironwork Centre's fantastic contribution to this vital campaign to save the rhino from extinction.'
Clive Knowles – Managing Director of British Ironwork Centre Mr Clive Knowles, Managing Director of the British Ironwork Centre, said “During Mr Paterson’s recent visit to the Centre, we learned all about this terrible travesty and immediately wanted to offer our support. Our only method of assisting Owen’s efforts was to create something spectacular which would help him inspire others to support the British effort and campaign.”
Alfie Bradley – Sculptor at British Ironwork Centre Sculptor, Alfie Bradley, said “this Rhino head has taken 4 weeks to complete, with some days having worked into the night. It’s representative of my finest work and I truly believe it will stir the heart of anyone who looks upon it.”
Following the official presentation, the sculpture has taken pride of place at Defra’s London Headquarters (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
The British Ironwork Centre has now offered further support with the loan of a giant iron elephant created from recycled oil drums for Mr Paterson's continued efforts in highlighting the illegal trade in ivory. This will hopefully be displayed at the entrance to greet visitors to events taking place at Lancaster house.
