WildEarth releases NFTs featuring South African reserve Animals

According to Reuters, an NFT project featuring exotic wildlife has garnered significant attention from the South African crypto community. The most sought-after token in this collection features a four-year-old leopard named Tlalamba. WildEarth, the company behind the NFT collection, is a wildlife streaming service that has minted NFTs linked to 25 prominent animals in the Djuma Reserve in South Africa.

Buyers of these tokens will receive special access to images, videos, and information regarding the animals. Additionally, buyers will get voting rights to help decide the names of Tlalamba’s cubs as well as first dibs on their future NFTs.

As this collection aims to raise awareness for wildlife conservation and protection, 40% of the proceeds will go towards the maintenance of the animals’ habitat. Currently, the tokens sell for about $200 as WildEarth has achieved about $16,000 in sales.

WildEarth co-founder, Graham Wallington, has said that the venture has allowed enthusiasts to gain a sense of custodianship for their chosen animals. He adds that the project offers people a new, reliable, and low-impact revenue stream for global conservation efforts.

“If we don’t create the necessary economic incentives to conserve wildlife, it won’t happen,” he said, adding current conservation income, namely via hunting and tourism, harmed animals, their habitats, or had proven massively unreliable during the pandemic.

“We’re going to have to find a solution which allows people at home to conserve nature in the wild.”

Djuma reserve owner, Jurie Moolman, has stated that these NFTs offer a new opportunity to those who wish to connect with wildlife. He points out that even tourism can be harmful as the reserve has limited space, while this method allows for people to interact with nature in an eco-friendly manner.

“We’re trying to tread the earth lighter,” he continued, adding initiatives like WildEarth and the NFT program allow them to continue to share Djuma with people everywhere.

Source: Reuters