Disney’s keeping more Simbas in the world with its newest campaign to save the lions

We’re all joining together in the great circle of life to celebrate Disney’s latest conservation campaign based on The Lion King live action film.

Conservation is a leading value within The Walt Disney Company, and now you can get involved to save African wildlife in collaboration with The Lion King live action movie. The campaign is called Protect the Pride and focuses on protecting the lion population of the world. In fact, the company has already donated more than $1.5 million to the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund.

The goal of Protect the Pride is to eventually double Africa’s lion population by 2050. Since the release of the animated classic The Lion King 25 years ago, half of Africa’s lion population has disappeared. Lions are facing numerous threats including poaching, loss of prey and habitat destruction.

Elissa Margolis, senior vice president of enterprise social responsibility for The Walt Disney Company said, “Disney is committed to supporting lion conservation efforts and we believe The Lion King is the perfect story to remind us of the role each of us has in ensuring a world where these majestic animals are treasured and protected.”

Disney is inviting fans to participate and help double its original donation of $1.5 million for a total of up to $3 million. So how can you participate? If you’re headed to Walt Disney World between July 19 and July 25, be sure to ride  Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The Disney Conservation Fund will donate $2 (up to $350,00) for every guest who rides.

If you’re not headed to Walt Disney World you can still take part in the celebration and protect lions. The Disney Store and shopDisney.com are selling 40,000 Special Edition Simba and Nala plush lions. Each of the plushes represent one of the lions Disney is working hard to save. For each item sold, Disney will donate $5 to the Wildlife Conservation Network.

To learn even more about conservation efforts and what you can do to save Africa’s wildlife, be sure to check out the Disney Conservation Fund, The Wildlife Conservation Network and visit your local accredited zoo or aquarium.

Disney’s The Lion King hits theaters July 19, 2019.