Lupita Nyong'o leads the fight against elephant poaching

Los Angeles - Lupita Nyong'o is leading a campaign against elephant poaching.

The Oscar-winning actress has returned to Kenya to become a global elephant ambassador for international conservation organisation WildAid, advocating against the slaughter of elephants for their valuable ivory.

@Lupita_Nyongo returns to #Kenya to advocate for #elephants! Photo courtesy @DSWT http://t.co/LbvrUBo2Mb #IvoryFree pic.twitter.com/apNId2tPNL

— WildAid (@WildAid) June 30, 2015

Congrats @Lupita_Nyongo, @WildAid’s new Global Elephant Ambassador! Thank you 4 raising awareness to stop poaching! pic.twitter.com/7UtZ3TvRL6

— Ambassador Bob Godec (@BobGodec) July 1, 2015

The 32-year-old star - who's best known for her performance in the Steve McQueen-directed 12 Years a Slave - shared: "I am proud of my Kenyan heritage, and part of that heritage is the incredible wildlife haven that is in our care.

"I have come to realise that when you know more, you do more. I want to encourage people all over the world to learn more about these incredible animals."

Lupita has visited a national park and elephant orphanage in Kenya, describing the experience as "life-changing"and has subsequently called on others to support the fight against elephant poaching.

She said: "From reading a conservation website like WildAid.org to visiting one of the many, unforgettable, world-class national parks. I ask the world to end the current elephant poaching crisis by being 'Ivory Free.'

"It is time to ban sales of ivory worldwide and to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history."

It's time to ban sales of #ivory worldwide & to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history. — @Lupita_Nyongo pic.twitter.com/k12R5AM5KG

— WildAid (@WildAid) June 30, 2015