Lupita Nyong'o named new WildAid ambassador

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o, 32, is leading the fight against elephant poaching and ivory sales.

Nyong'o a native Kenyan, known for her break out Oscar-winning performance in Twelve Years a Slave, returned to her home country to become a global elephant ambassador, The Hamilton Spectator reports.

Nyong'o joined international conservation organization WildAid in order to fight against the slaughter of elephants for their ivory.

Over 30,000 elephants are killed every year for their ivory tusks, which are sent to China and the Far East to be sold for more than $2,000, according to Rappler.

The Grio reported Nyong'o will soon appear in ads for WildAid in an effort to combat the poaching of elephants.

During an interview with BBC News, she described her visit to a national park and elephant orphanage as life changing.