Own a part of pygmy hippo Toni’s journey, thanks to exclusive charity auction with Zoo Berlin and football star Antonio Rüdiger
Rare memorabilia up for auction include a signed, match-worn jersey from Rüdiger, special zoo experiences, and unique pieces of Toni’s story
Proceeds will go towards pygmy hippo conservation in Sierra Leone
Berlin, 19 November 2024 - Catawiki, the leading marketplace for special objects, has partnered with Zoo Berlin to present a charity auction that’s as special as its star - Toni, the internet-famous pygmy hippo born last June and named after Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger. This exclusive auction offers fans a chance to own one-of-a-kind memorabilia, such as a match-worn, signed jersey from Rüdiger, meet Toni up close, and support the conservation of her species. The auction will run from 19 November to 1 December 2024 on Catawiki.
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.
The auction will feature a range of remarkable items and experiences, blending sports, animal conservation, and zoo history. Highlights include the unwashed, game-worn jersey Rüdiger wore in Real Madrid’s recent win over Club Atlético Osasuna; a private “Meet & Greet” with Toni, offering the exclusive chance to visit her habitat and see her up close; the pool in which she took her first bath, along with the colourful letters used to announce her name; and even zoo memorabilia like a life-size 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.
The auction is live on Catawiki from 19 November until 1 December 2024 at 19:01 UTC.
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Editor's Notes
Images can be downloaded here.
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 specialised in Art, Design, Jewellery, Fashion, Classic Cars, Collectables and much more. Catawiki is headquartered in Amsterdam with over 750 employees across the world. Fulfil your passion on catawiki.com or download the app.
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.
