Posted on April, 11 2025

Kinshasa, DRC (11 April 2025) – A global public art and climate activation known as THE HERDS, comprising a collection of life-sized puppets representing wildlife escaping life-threatening climate impacts, has begun its 20 000km journey across the world from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. THE HERDS will inspire people around the globe to reignite their connection to the natural world and support meaningful climate action, ahead of the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil later this year.

Developed by UK-based not-for-profit The Walk Productions, THE HERDS brings together top global artists and environmental organisations. WWF is supporting the journey, which highlights how communities across the world are already losing their homes to climate change. The project aims to move beyond science to spark empathy, hope, and action.

Martin Kabaluapa,  WWF Regional Director for the Congo Basin said: “Public art offers a profound connection to the planetary crises of climate change and nature loss. THE HERDS serves as a striking reminder that if we continue relying on fossil fuels and overconsuming nature, wildlife won’t be the only ones losing their home—we will too.

“Climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected. Climate change accelerates nature’s decline, while biodiversity loss weakens the planet’s ability to recover from climate impacts. It’s a vicious cycle—one that is advancing faster than we are. Rising temperatures and environmental disruptions are already escalating human-wildlife conflicts, displacing both people and animals, and pushing species that sustain life toward extinction. The consequences ripple outward, making survival increasingly difficult for all."

The collection of wildlife puppets, designed and developed by Ukwanda Puppets and Designs Art Collective in Cape Town and Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zubai, are crafted using principally recycled materials easily available in each territory. In each city, local people will be trained to replicate and animate the puppets in order to take part in the large-scale artistic performances. Audiences along the route will be able to engage with free special performances and public participation workshops designed with world-class dance companies, theatre makers and artists. An accompanying education programme is also planned, to engage schools, families and communities across the world with free resources including open-source puppetry design kits.

WWF will be leveraging its network to rally local support along the route of the migration, at a time when the deepening threat of climate change could not be more apparent. The year 2024 was the warmest year on record globally, with Arctic sea ice likely reaching its lowest levels in 47 years. Meanwhile, WWF’s landmark 2024 Living Planet Report reported a drop of 73% on average in wildlife populations since 1970. 

Etienne Longe, Country Director of WWF in DRC, said: The launch of  THE HERDS journey in Kinshasa is both symbolic and urgent. It reminds the world that what happens here in the heart of Africa affects the entire planet. The forests of the DRC are not just under threat – they are part of the solution. As one of the world’s last remaining functioning carbon sinks, they shiel us from the worst impacts of climate change. We need climate justice, courageous leadership, and action that prioritizes both people and nature.”

Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director of THE HERDS, said: "We’re proud to be partnering with WWF on THE HERDS. Their support not only strengthens our mission, but also shines a spotlight on the vital connection between people, wildlife, and the land. With their involvement we can expand our reach and deepen the impact of our work."
[ENDS]
 
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact
Fidelis Pegue Manga, Manager, Communications, Congo Basin 
Tel: +237 679233371 | E-mail: [email protected]
Christian  Mpassi,  Communication Officer WWF-DRC|
Tel: +243999958663 E-mail: [email protected]
 
For more information on how climate change is impacting wildlife, read WWF’s reports:

• Climate, Nature, and our 1.5 °C Future
• Wildlife in a Warming World

 
For THE HERDS team, Erica Bolton / Lara Delaney, Bolton & Quinn
[email protected] / [email protected] / 020 7221 5000
 
THE HERDS is produced by David Lan and Tracey Seaward for The Walk Productions and created by Amir Nizar Zuabi with Executive Producer Sarah Loader.
Download images and press pack for THE HERDS.
The full programme will be available on THE HERDS website from early April. www.theherds.org. 
 
Cities along the route include:

• Kinshasa, DRC: 9-11 April 2025
• Lagos, Nigeria: 18-20 April 
• Dakar, Senegal: 25-27 April 
• Marrakesh, Morocco: 3-5 May
• Casablanca, Morocco: 9-10 May
• Rabat and Sale, Morocco: 11 May
• Andalucia, Spain: 1 June
• Madrid, Spain: 10-11 June
• Arles, France: 13 June
• Marseille, France: 14-15 June
• Venice, Italy: 17 June
• Paris, France: 20-22 June
• London, UK: 27-29 June
• Greater Manchester, UK: 3-5 July
• Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark: 18-21 July
• Stockholm, Sweden: 24-26 July
• Trondheim, Norway: 28-30 July

 
About WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. We do this by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources. Follow us on BlueSky @media.panda.org
 
UNFCCC Climate Conference, Brazil (COP30)
COP30 is scheduled to take place from 10 to 21 November 2025, in Belém, Brazil. Countries meet annually with the aim of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise this century to below 1.5 °C, as set out in the Paris Agreement. This is done by accelerating efforts to reduce global carbon emissions and transitioning economies and societies to a just, green, renewable future. https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/climate_and_energy_practice/cop30/