LETTER: Take a walk on the wild side

In response to recent news highlighting the plight of wild species, and in particular the destructive activity of poaching, as a WWF ambassador, I am urging your readers to Wear it Wild this May and help protect threatened wildlife. '¨Sadly, there are just 4,800 black rhinos in the wild today with, on average, three rhinos a day poached in South Africa. Rhinos have been around for millions of years and it's crucial we help to protect their future.

However, it is not just this armoured giant that’s at risk.  In WWF’s Living Planet Report, we revealed the devastating loss of wild species – 52 per cent since 1970.

Tigers, elephants, lions, polar bears, snow leopards and, of course, wild giant pandas are just some of the incredible species that could be at risk of extinction in our lifetime.

As a WWF ambassador, I’m determined to help change this trend and I know we can. However, I need your help to do it.

On Friday, May 27, WWF is challenging the nation to Wear It Wild once again and don animal-inspired fancy dress.

From colleagues at work sporting tiger-stripe jumpers, to children at school going wild in their leopard print onesies, we want everyone to Wear it Wild for a day and love wildlife forever.

By taking part in our annual fundraising event, not only will you have a lot of fun, you will also be raising awareness and much-needed funds to help WWF’s work to protect these precious, yet threatened species.

Just £5 can help toward food and vet bills for a sniffer dog trained to track down tiger poachers, £20 can support researchers taking blood samples from two polar bears to provide crucial climate change evidence, while £120 could pay for one camera to help monitor wild giant pandas.

Everyone can take part in Wear it Wild on Friday, May 27.

Simply visit wwf.org.uk/wearitwild, dress up and donate to help protect our wildlife.

Don’t forget to share #WearItWild so we can see what you have planned.

Ben Fogle

WWF Ambassador