Prints for Wildlife

The globally renowned fundraiser that has raised $1.75m for wildlife conservation is back. Graeme Green speaks to one of the founders, travel photographer Marion Payr, about its ongoing mission...

- Graeme Green

Created by Dutch photographer Pie Aerts and Austrian с photographer Marion Payr in 2020 as a response to the global pandemic - which devastated wildlife, conservation projects, tourism and communities across Africa - the first two editions of Prints for Wildlife's print sales raised more than $1.75 million for conservation non-profit African Parks.

The fundraiser sees wildlife photographers donating one of their photos to be sold for a limited time at just $100. So far, more than 15,000 wildlife prints have been sold, including work by Brent Stirton, Suzi Eszterhas, Greg du Toit, and David Lloyd. As Prints for Wildlife returns for a third edition, we find out more about the fundraiser from Marion Payr...

What made you want to launch Prints for Wildlife?

Honestly, it was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions. It was during the first lockdown - all my upcoming travels and assignments were cancelled and I sat at home wondering what the situation was like in the natural world, which suddenly seemed far out of reach. When the first reports came in about the lack of funding for conservation because of the complete cessation of tourism, I thought that we could launch a 'small' fundraiser for Africa's wild. Little did I know that it would became such a special project and have a real impact beyond anything I'd ever imagined.

Have you been surprised by the success of Prints for Wildlife?

Oh yes. It's the gift that keeps on giving not just the incredible community that has formed in the last two years, but the impact we have been able to create together has been more than what we could have ever wished for.