Enzo Vivace of Grey Lynn is a little local with a big heart who is combining his love for art and tigers to help the critically endangered cats.
“I wanted to do something to help Sumatran tigers because they are beautiful and endangered, and art is one of my favourite things to do, so mixing them is cool,” says Enzo.
Nine-year-old Enzo, who attends Grey Lynn School, fell in love with tigers after watching the BBC series ‘Tigers About the House’ that included host Giles Clark following anti-poaching units in Sumatra.
Through selling his tiger artwork and wrist bands ($2 - $5) as well as fundraising online, Enzo has so far raised more than $1100 to help Sumatran tigers, and is still busy growing his efforts with more creative projects.
“Mum has helped me set up an Everyday Hero page so everybody can give to that. I’m doing a tiger-themed photo booth at home where our friends can pay $5 to get a framed photo they can share online. I’m also going to sell more art and we’ll be having lemonade stands outside our house in summer,” says Enzo.
Funds raised are being donated to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund to support the crucial habitat protection and anti-poaching work of 21st Century Tiger and its Tiger Protection Conservation Units in, and surrounding, Sumatra’s Kerinci Seblat National Park. This 1.38 million ha tropical forest is home to the single largest Sumatran tiger population - at least 166 individuals. Auckland Zoo has been supporting this project for 10 years.
Auckland Zoo Carnivore team leader and tiger lover Lauren Booth, is full of praise for the youngster’s efforts and even met up with Enzo recently at the zoo to thank him and talk tigers.
“It’s incredible to see someone as young as Enzo so passionate and aware of what these beautiful big cats are up against in the wild, and doing so much to help. As Enzo discovered himself, through the protection units we support, it costs $5 a day to protect one tiger in the wild, so his $5 artworks are a great way to help.”
Habitat loss, from deforestation for palm oil and acacia plantations, and poaching for illegal trade, remain the greatest threats to Sumatran tigers, whose population is estimated to be as few as 400.
Enzo’s mum, Sally Frewin, says: “Enzo has shown me that one person really can make a tangible difference to a global problem. Sometimes as adults we can think that the problem is too big and can’t be fixed, but Enzo decided he could help, and he is.
“The wonderful news is that the tireless work being done on the ground in Sumatra is working, but it still needs our ongoing support, and the sorry truth is that if we don’t act now, tigers may be extinct in Enzo’s lifetime, which would be an absolute tragedy.”
Adds Sally: “Visiting Auckland Zoo and seeing its three Sumatran tigers just reinforces our commitment to the cause. They are such stunningly beautiful creatures and we have to do everything we can to prevent poaching and the devastation of their habitat through unsustainable palm oil farming practices. We whole-heartedly support the Unmask Palm Oil Campaign and hope Ponsonby News readers will too.”
To support Enzo’s fundraising efforts, visit:
https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/help-me-save-sumatran-tigers
To view and purchase Enzo’s artwork: email sally@vivace.co.nz
Watch a video on Enzo: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz\zootales
Ask for Choice to help wildlife
Auckland Zoo, with Unmask Palm Oil and its Australasian Zoo colleagues, is calling on Kiwis to support the mandatory labelling of palm oil in food products.
Palm oil is estimated to be in 50% of all supermarket products, but at present, under Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) code of standards, it only has to be labelled as vegetable oil. So you don’t know which oil it is, or whether it is deforestation-free.
Unmask Palm Oil director Ben Dowdle says: “Palm oil can be the most environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and versatile vegetable oil, but it will take consumers demanding that companies use Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) to achieve this.
“Without consumer pressure, the palm oil industry will continue as it is. Following the introduction of mandatory labelling in Europe, the use of CSPO rose by 65% in the six months leading up to the change - illustrating that labelling is one of the most effective tools to drive sustainable practices,” adds Ben.
“The Ponsonby News team is delighted to have nine-year-old Enzo from Grey Lynn on our front cover. He’s a shining example of how one individual can make a big difference. As well as his amazing fundraising efforts to help tigers, Enzo and his family are supporting the Ask for Choice campaign. We’re asking you our readers to also support Ask for Choice.
Visit www.unmaskpalmoil.com and simply sign and send the template letter to New Zealand Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew asking her to vote ‘YES’ this November to introducing mandatory labelling of vegetable oils, including palm oil."
Martin Leach, editor, Ponsonby News