American actress Pamela Anderson met with President Vladimir Putin’s chief of staff Sergei Ivanov in the Kremlin on 7 December to discuss the issue of wildlife conservation in Russia.
During the meeting, which was televised on state-owned news channel Russia Today, the actress turned animal rights activist urged Russia to step up its policy on protecting wildlife and stressed the need for stronger legislation against abuse of animals and the environment.
“Millions of people around the world are looking for world leaders that have compassion for defending nature, biodiversity and the rights of animals,” Ms Anderson said. “Russia has proven to be a nation unafraid to take undaunted action where action is needed.”
The former Baywatch star has used her fame to attract attention to wildlife conservation in the past. As a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), Ms Anderson posed for a nude photo shoot for Peta’s 2003 “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign.
“I think Russia could really win over some hearts and minds in the west if Russia were to take a leadership position on defending wildlife and the rights of animals,” she told Mr Ivanov.
Ms Anderson went to Moscow after writing directly to the Russian President, asking him to support her in fighting for animal and environmental welfare. During her trip to Moscow, Ms Anderson was taken on a private tour of the Kremlin.
“For me, today’s meeting is very unusual and interesting, since I can discuss the problems of protecting wildlife and very beautiful animals with beautiful women,” Mr Ivanov said.
Ms Anderson had met the Presidential chief of staff at an economic forum in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok in September this year. Ms Anderson attended the forum to address the problems of climate change, whales and endangered species, meeting both Mr Ivanov and Russia’s natural resources and environment minister, Sergey Donskoy.
During the forum, Ms Anderson donned a red dress and auctioned off a red float used in the 1990s American drama series Baywatch. The float sold for 3 million roubles (£29,850) and was in aid of protecting endangered species.
