Youth Activist Romario Valentine Uses Art for Advocacy Against Lion Exploitation

With a heart as big as the African savannah, Romario Valentine, an 11-year-old eco-activist, is leading the charge in ending lion exploitation in South Africa for good. Embracing his passion for creativity and love for wildlife, Romario has joined forces with the #PrideNotCruelty campaign in collaboration with World Animal Protection, Blood Lions and Treeshake that is using art as a powerful tool for advocacy.

Romario is no stranger to lending his hand in protecting the environment and its creatures. Beyond being a creative artist himself, he has actively participated in 325 beach clean-ups, raised funds to plant over 450 trees in 31 countries, is the youngest ambassador of Ocean Sole, and in 2022, published his first book, Protect Our Planet: Take Action With Romario, which covers important environmental topics from climate change to recycling and everything in between. 

Leading up to Lion Day on the 10th of August, Romario is calling on the youth of South Africa to make a roar and Free Their Creativity for captive lions. Leading up to 10 August, he encourages every child in South Africa to unleash their imagination and create something lion-inspired - a painting, stick drawing, poem, dance, or sculpture, whatever makes their creative heart sing. 

Many children have joined the cause through Youth For Lions, a young, vibrant sub-campaign of Blood Lions that educates young people about exploitative industries and how cub petting, walking with predators, and volunteering at predator farms is enabling and contributing to the wider captive predator breeding industry in South Africa. 

To participate, children can share their masterpieces on social media using the hashtag #PrideNotCruelty or submitting it to Youth for Lions using this link: https://forms.gle/pEdBr74cB5vvcDrp8. 

Romario's passion for the environment and dedication to creating change have shown that age is no barrier to making a difference. Join Romario in the cause, be a voice for the voiceless, and let your artistic expression make a roar for the captive lions of South Africa!