A Journey of Art and Soul for the Earth
by Rama the Elephant and Calley O'Neill
RAMA: AMBASSADOR FOR THE ENDANGERED ONES
Speaking Passionately on Behalf of Those who Cannot Speak
The Right to Exist
by Rama and Calley O'Neill with Jeb Barsh
Has painting always been this mysterious? I ask myself as I witness a giraffe appearing effortlessly on canvas. Is Rama doing this? My being? the muses? Was it you, Akeem coming to life? When I began this painting, I sat in silence for hours in front of Rama's work, not knowing what animal would emerge. In perfect clarity, the way was revealed. Akeem was already there. In every piece the design is revealed in Rama's breath and power. I am so grateful to be the hands of skill for something so much wiser and greater than I am. I kiss Akeem's head and paint another stroke. ~ Calley O'Neill
Preliminary population estimates suggest that there is a decline in the total giraffe population. If that continues, the species will warrant listing in a higher category of threat. Efforts are currently under way to count giraffe populations more accurately, which will enable a more thorough determination of the conservation status of this species.
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