Overview:
Proceeds from this auction will go to the Pygmy Hippo Research Project in Sierra Leone’s Gola Rainforest National Park, helping fund critical conservation efforts to protect these rare species.
In a one-of-a-kind charity auction, the leading marketplace for special objects Catawiki and Zoo Berlin are giving fans the chance to score big: a signed, match-worn jersey from Real Madrid and German national team star Antonio Rüdiger.
This exclusive piece of sports memorabilia – worn during Real Madrid’s recent win over Club Atlético Osasuna – is up for grabs, alongside rare zoo experiences and relics from the journey of Toni, the pygmy hippo named in Rüdiger’s honour.
All proceeds from the auction, running on Catawiki from 19 November to 1 December 2024, will support pygmy hippo conservation in Sierra Leone.
At just five months old, Toni the pygmy hippo has already captured hearts and sparked global attention.
After her first social media debut, Zoo Berlin launched a public poll to select her name, drawing over 20,000 entries from fans eager to participate in her story.
Although the zoo initially intended to pick a locally inspired name, the chosen name was “Toni,” in honour of German football star Antonio Rüdiger, who holds dual citizenship with Sierra Leone—one of the pygmy hippo’s native habitats.
Since then, Toni’s journey has become an international sensation, with thousands of articles covering her story and furthering awareness of the pygmy hippo’s endangered status.
In addition to Rüdiger’s unwashed, game-worn signed jersey, fans can bid on a private “Meet & Greet” with Toni at Zoo Berlin, offering the exclusive chance to visit her habitat and see her up close
Other items include the colourful letters from Toni’s name reveal and the pool she took her first bath in, as well as a life-sized plaster statue of Rhino Betty, crafted by Berlin artist Rico Rensmeyer as a tribute to another beloved resident of the zoo.
“The habitat of pygmy hippos in West Africa is under severe threat, and it would be truly heartbreaking if these unique animals were to disappear forever. Little Toni and I are proud to be ambassadors, working together to protect this endangered species and its habitat. The auction supporting the conservation project in Sierra Leone is a great opportunity to actively contribute and help ensure the survival of pygmy hippos and many other species. That’s why I hope as many people as possible will join this initiative,” explains Antonio Rüdiger.
Zoo Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem emphasises, “As one of the world’s most renowned zoos, our mission goes beyond caring for animals and raising awareness about endangered species like the pygmy hippo. We are also committed to directly supporting conservation projects in the wild. The situation for many species is dire, and we want to highlight this with the enchanting images of our little Toni. Our thanks go to Toni Rüdiger and everyone supporting us in this important mission.”
‘’Catawiki brings special objects into people’s lives, and this auction is as special as it gets,” said Genevieve Tearle, VP Collectables at Catawiki. “We’re thrilled to partner with the renowned Zoo Berlin and a global football icon like Antonio Rüdiger for something truly extraordinary. From sports memorabilia to nature-inspired experiences and finds, we offer collectors a direct line to the action, whether it’s from the field or the wild, all while supporting an important cause.”
With fewer than 2,500 pygmy hippos left in West Africa, they are one of the world’s most endangered species.
Proceeds from this auction will go to the Pygmy Hippo Research Project in Sierra Leone’s Gola Rainforest National Park, helping fund critical conservation efforts to protect these rare species and its delicate rainforest ecosystem, contributing to research that ensures the pygmy hippo’s future in the wild.
About Catawiki
Catawiki is the leading online marketplace for special objects that fulfil people’s passions.
Over 75,000 objects are offered in auction every week – each reviewed and selected by one of Catawiki’s hundreds of in-house experts specialized in Art, Design, Jewlery, Fashion, Classic Cars, Collectables and much more.
Catawiki is headquartered in Amsterdam with over 750 employees across the world.
About Zoo Berlin
Zoo Berlin not only is the oldest and most frequently visited zoo in the country, it also has one of the largest varieties of species of any zoo in the world – including the only Giant Pandas in Germany.
Some 20,000 animals representing more than 1,000 species live in this 33-hectare site at the heart of Berlin’s City West. A combination of historic buildings and state-of-the-art animal habitats creates a very special atmosphere throughout Zoo Berlin.
Every day of the year, stars of the animal kingdom like elephants, gorillas and sea lions delight visitors of all ages – together with rare and lesser-known species.
