John Cleese Joins Fight for Africa’s Wildlife with ‘Dead Planet’ Sketch

British comedian John Cleese, famous for – amongst others – his Dead Parrot sketch, has joined forces with the Born Free Foundation to present the Dead Planet Sketch… highlighting the urgent need to help Africa turn the tide on poaching.

Illegal wildlife trade – which is worth about £14 billion a year – has led to a 30% decline in elephants in Africa between 2007-2014; 1,300 rhino murdered in Southern Africa in 2015; and only 20,000 lions left in the wild in Africa.

The comedy legend says he made the video to show “why we have to act now to save some of the world’s most iconic species”. 

Born Free founder and president Will Travers tweeted: “Well done JC! The wiping out of life on earth is no laughing matter.”

So far fans have been very impressed. One said: “I loved you when you were funny, I just found out I love you when you’re serious too.” Another said: “Just when I thought nothing will make me admire you more, you join this fight close to my heart!”

Reporting from CITES COP17 this evening Born Free’s Travers was elated when the UK and most of the EU reversed its position on voting against abandoning discussing plans for any future ivory trade, and basically “killed future discussions about how to trade ivory. Hurrah!” (South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe wanted to continue planning for future ivory trade, which – according to Travers – gives “hope to poachers” and is “totally the wrong strategy”.

John Cleese – The Dead Planet Sketch

For those too young to have known it, and those old enough to want to see it again – here’s the original Parrot Sketch…

The Parrot Sketch – Monty Python’s The Flying Circus

https://youtu.be/npjOSLCR2hE