NELSPRUIT – Christie Brinkley is a beautiful supermodel, a loving mother and has a song “Uptown girl” dedicated to her. But she is also an avid activist for animal rights and will now take the plight of the rhino to America’s finest. With this she will try to create more awareness of the carnage of the country’s rhino.
This week Christie, her daughter Sailor and the Lost actress, Bai Ling, were entertained by Jenna Clifford at her Baronmere Estate home. The lunch, to which a few fortunate Lowvelders had been invited, was part of the last leg of Brinkley’s visit to South Africa to learn more about rhino poaching. Dex Kotze, Clifford’s husband, played host to the group of nine for the past week and accompanied them on the trip.
Their excitement began on September 14 when they arrived at Enthabeni Lodge, where time was set aside to visit The Rhino Orphanage in Limpopo. Seeing and interacting with the animals was a life-changing experience for the group.
Their next stop was Ngala Safari Lodge, where the game drives were exciting and rewarding. They were fortunate enough to encounter a pack of wild dog chasing leopard, rhino and a clan of hyena during their stay. “I love Africa and I love animals,” Bai Ling said. With her two million followers on Weibo and 1,8 million followers of her Chinese blog, she wants to spread the message through China and Vietnam where rhino horn is commonly consumed. On Tuesday they were flown in for a lunch stopover at Clifford’s house. Both Brinkley and Ling were ecstatic about the few days they had spent in the bush. “Seeing the rhino and other animals in the wild, is an amazing experience,” Brinkley said. The women couldn’t stop talking and were excited to take their messages home. Local artist Kim Kay also won Brinkley’s heart with her rhino pencil sketch which will also be used in the future at an auction to raise funds for the initiative. Shortly before 16:00 the delegation flew to Johannesburg where a formal press conference was held at Clifford’s head office in Morningside on Tuesday night.
Their next destination will be Kenya where they will first visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and engage with
Dr Paula Kahumbu, the elephant advisor
to the Republic of Kenya. A highlight will be the the opportunity to witness the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara before heading home on Sunday.
- Jenna Clifford, Sailor Cook, Christie Brinkley and Summer Kotze, Jenna’s daughter.
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