There is a project underway in Prince's Park to construct artwork to celebrate Nelson Mandela's contribution to humanity. This petition is not in protest of the project at all, but only to slightly alter the location of the artwork to protect the local wildlife who live at the intended location, the isolated island in the middle of the lake (see below).

The development of the artwork on the island will cause great disturbance to the animals currently living there, this is their only safe space away from people and dogs in the entire park, a place where they can safely sleep, build nests, and care for their young. The unexpected arrival of workers and machinery will cause them great stress and may force many to leave their home. While this is evidently harmful whatever their age, there are currently a lot of recently born chicks on and around the island who may struggle to survive elsewhere or be more vulnerable to attack without the protection the sanctuary of the island offers.

The construction on the island is one thing, but the continued access to it by the public raises even more concerns. Recent reports to the police cite teens trying to create a bridge themselves to reach the island to attack ducks and smash eggs in nests, and with authorities like the RSPCA and local voluntary teams being called out to untangle birds wrapped in fishing wire stuck in trees or unhook swans from discarded gear, it is deeply concerning that soon people will have unlimited access to the island, undoubtedly causing more harm for the animals.

Given Liverpool City Council has acknowledged the climate crisis and the need to protect green spaces, it is sad to see that the few areas currently protected are to be built upon and disturbed.

Nelson Mandela himself was actually a great believer in caring for and protecting nature and in 1997 he co-founded the Peace Parks Foundation, an organization that aims to re-establish, renew and conserve large ecosystems in Africa.

He said, "If we do not do something to prevent it, Africa's animals, and the places in which they live, will be lost to our world, and her children, forever. Before it is too late, we need your help to lay the foundation that will preserve this precious legacy long after we are gone."

It seems clear from his environmental activism and his own words, that Nelson Mandela would not want something constructed in his name that would knowingly harm wildlife, especially when it can just be built elsewhere. There are plenty of open spaces within Prince's Park for the artwork to go which are also more visible to the public allowing more people to appreciate it.

For the benefit of the wildlife on the island at Prince's Park, and to the detriment of no people at all, to those managing this project please don't build the bridge and put the artwork elsewhere, thank you.

Please sign and share. Thank you kindly <3