In order to commemorate the release of the upcoming live-action remake of "The Lion King", The Walt Disney Company and Wildlife Conservation Network's Lion Recovery Fund have launched the "Protect the Pride" campaign. The campaign focuses on protecting and revitalizing lion populations and the habitats they need to thrive.  Disney has already donated more than $1.5 million to the Wildlife Conservation Network's (WCN) Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) and its partners and will make additional grants as well as invite fans to help double the donation for a total contribution of up to $3 million. Fans can also help contribute by taking part in celebratory experiences and purchasing special-edition products, as part of The Lion King Protect the Pride campaign.  

In the 25 years since the original film's release, Africa has lost half of its lions, leaving only approximately 20,000. Through the Lion Recovery Fund, Disney hopes to help double the population by 2050. 

"Disney is committed to supporting lion conservation efforts and we believe The Lion King is the perfect story to remind us of the role we each have in helping ensure a world where these majestic animals are treasured and protected," said Elissa Margolis, senior vice president, Enterprise Social Responsibility for The Walt Disney Company. "Conservation has always been a core value of The Walt Disney Company and that commitment is apparent in everything from our films to our theme parks and is why we created the Disney Conservation Fund. Through the stories we tell and the experiences we create, we have the power to reach people around the world and inspire them to take action with us."

Listed below are some things that fans can do to contribute to the cause:

*This summer, take part in Protect the Pride lion-related Disney experiences celebrating WCN's LRF, like the Kilimanjaro Safaris® Expedition at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park in Florida during opening week of The Lion King film (July 19-25); purchase special-edition Simba and Nala plush lions available at certain Disney stores, on shopDisney.com, and in select U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts locations; Disney Theatrical Productions will celebrate with audiences on Broadway during the month of July, providing campaign information in Playbills® for The Lion King; learn about the history of Disney's commitment to conservation in films and Disney Publishing Worldwide's support of the campaign through The Art and Making of The Lion King book. Disney is supporting these and other global opportunities in South Africa, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.  Disney.com/LionKingProtectThePride

*Support lion conservation efforts and learn more about the Lion Recovery Fund at lionrecoveryfund.org.

*Follow The Lion King, the Disney Conservation Fund, and the Lion Recovery Fund on social media to stay up to date on #TheLionKing #ProtectThePride campaign and share information with your friends and family about how they can help.
 
For more information, you can go to The Lion King Protect the Pride website.