Vans and Ralph Steadman join forces for a collection of footwear and apparel that highlights near extinct animals from around the world. The collection is pulled from three books illustrated by Ralph Steadman and written by Ceri Levy, offering an artful, original, and expressive way of bringing awareness and much-needed attention to threatened species.
SELECT AN ANIMAL BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT THE THREATS THEY FACE.
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Less than 2,500 mature Grevy’s zebra remain in the wild in Ethiopia, Kenya, and possibly South Sudan. Lack of food sources, habitat loss, and illegal hunting are the major factors in their decline. Involving local communities in a conservation program will help this striped beauty roam across Africa in larger numbers once more.
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There are African lions and Asiatic lions. The former’s population has dwindled from 450,000 in the 1940s to as low as 20,000 today. A single population of 500 Asiatic lions clings to life in the Indian state of Gujarat. Conflict between man and lion is the main threat, and trophy hunting is also an issue. Why kill such majestic creatures? We need a healthier relationship with this big cat.
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Lemur Leaf Frog
Found in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama, the Lemur leaf frog population has fallen drastically by more than 80%. Habitat loss and possibly a fungal disease are the main culprits, and research is ongoing to ascertain the definite issues and potential remedies. Captive breeding programs are underway to help the frog bounce back.
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Garden Bumblebee
Two hundred seventy-five species of bees exist in the world, making honey and pollinating crops throughout the world. Threatened by the loss of wildflowers and the damage done by the use of pesticides (such as neonicotinoids) their numbers are dwindling, and soon the buzz may be missing from a summer’s day. You can help by planting wildflowers that appeal to the bees.
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Orangutan
In the threatened rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra orangutan numbers have plummeted from more than 300,000 to about 70,000. Often considered pests that destroy crops, adults are regularly killed, leaving orphaned infants which end up either in the pet trade or, with luck, a rehabilitation center. Much of their homeland has been cleared for palm oil production, and the remaining forests need 24-hour protection to stop the first great ape extinction.
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Western European Hedgehog
In the 1950s it was estimated that there were 30 million hedgehogs in the UK . . . but now there are likely less than a million. Habitat loss in both urban and rural areas is the main problem. The hedgehog has been on Earth for more than 15 million years, surviving everything this world has thrown at it. The 21st century, however, is proving to be its spikiest test yet.
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The fin whale population is believed to have decreased by 70% over the last three generations. Habitat loss, toxins, climate change (yes folks, it exists), and especially commercial whaling have all been causes of this magnificent creature’s downfall. People must lose their taste for whale meat.
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Three species of bluefin tuna exist: Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern. But only one story exists for all three—overfishing. In the last 100 years the population of the Pacific bluefin tuna has been depleted by 96%. In 2017, a 467-lb. (212 kg) bluefin sold for a whopping $636,000! This over-the-top craving for tuna has led to illegal fishing, which is believed to be worth up to $23 billion a year. Time to change the menu.
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Monarch Butterfly
The monarch butterfly annually migrates thousands of miles from Canada to Mexico. This is all the more extraordinary as its average adult lifespan is five weeks and the journey may take up to eight weeks. Somehow they survive. Illegal logging has destroyed significant amounts of its Mexican hibernation habitat, but the creation of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve by the Mexican government is working well in protecting this monarch of migration from further harm.
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Largetooth Sawfish
This once-abundant sawfish inhabits various areas of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, with sightings becoming increasingly rare. Sawfish parts are used in Chinese medicine and shark fin soup, and the rostrum (the elongated snout lined with saw-like teeth) is often displayed as a decorative curio or trophy. Irresponsible fishing methods accidentally trap sawfish in nets, but new techniques could protect this unusual fish from becoming no more than a historical relic on a dusty shelf
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Amur Leopard
Seventy—the number of Amur leopards remaining in the Russian Far East and northern China. Two hundred fifty—the number of Amur leopards in breeding programs being prepared to enter the wild in the event of extinction of the remaining seventy. Habitat loss and poaching of the leopard and its prey are the main factors for its disappearance. Unbelievably, leopard fur is still considered desirable by certain fashionistas. Big cats should not become hats.
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Once there were 850,000 black rhinos roaming the planet, but human encroachment, habitat change for agricultural purposes, and poaching for rhino horns saw their numbers dwindle to next to nothing. Chinese medicine uses the horn for various ailments, and recently in Vietnam it was alleged to be a cure for cancer—creating a whole new market (and problem). Although conservation has helped the black rhino’s numbers rise to around 5,000, education is imperative and awareness campaigns can teach people the truth about rhinos and their horns.
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Grey Nurse Shark
Found across most subtropical and warmer oceans, this shark is hunted for its oil and fins, which are used in soup. Modern fishing methods accidentally ensnare this critter in nets—but a change to smaller meshes could stop the shark from being regularly caught as bycatch. Off the east coast of Australia, especially, the grey nurse shark population is listed as “Critically Endangered” and the numbers keep plummeting. This shark needs serious “nursing” back to full health.
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See Allless Animals
Thought up by the duo themselves, Gonzovation and Gonzovationist are words created by Ralph Steadman and Ceri Levy. To be a Gonzovationist is to be an alternative conservationist, and a person who makes sense from the nonsense.
Vans, Ralph and Ceri invite you to be a part of the Gonovation community - even a small donation, can create big change. Your donation will go towards WildAid. WildAid works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts.
