I have a very good friend who I look up to immensely. His courage and selfless soul move me. I call Eduardo, the Big Cat Hero. A man, who has the power to rescue, connect and communicate with animals. A man, who has given up his whole life to dedicate his time to saving Jaguars, Lions, Tigers... you name it, he saves it.
Eduardo gifted me the invitation of a lifetime to travel to Mexico and film the first documentary featuring his non-profit organization, Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation. I was elated. This was my chance to help animals and be a part of saving lives. So I helped in the way I knew best: through the vision of fashion. I know it might sound superficial but fashion is my art and the way I express myself. So, Linalove1 Productions prepared to go down to Mexico to share with people this haven.
I stayed with Eduardo for two weeks. It was the most amazing adventure of my life. I arrived at Mexico City airport and Eduardo’s driver picked me up. My head prickled with the excitement of what I had gotten myself into. When I arrived to the house two baby white lions, Bedrock and Pryda, jumped on top of me. They were adorable and my focus went directly to them. When I looked up, there was beautiful jaguar. He was about 1 year old and peered through the glass with eyes so beautiful you could not imagine. Just behind him, were white lions and tigers. My jaw dropped from their immense beauty. Eduardo had saved all of these animals. Was I lucid dreaming, I wondered? I reached my hand up to touch the glass. We were paw to hand. This was the moment I knew how much I loved these animals. I had great joy and at the same time felt sadness. They deserved to be free and happy from the horrors of circuses. I could empathetically feel the pain he experienced. My eyes teared and my heart opened even more than before. I get to be a part of it, to help.
Eduardo took us to see Stage One, a ranch outside Mexico City that is being converted into a reserve for these big cats. While we were there two rescues from a circus arrived which was incredible to watch. The caballeros pulled up the truck. No one knew the shape they would be in or their mental stability. Luke and Han emerged from the crates, two six month lions, and immediately checked out their surroundings, their new home. As they rolled in the grass and felt free, I felt like I was part of history in the making. I was observing the start of an incredible foundation and the joy of seeing animals free and happy.
For Donations please see:
http://www.blackjaguarwhitetiger.org
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On Instagram@BLACKJAGUARWHITETIGER
