Proceeds from the sale of Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket could help actress Tippi Hedren keep the wildlife preserve where the King of Pop's Bengal tigers reside open.
The iconic video jacket, which he autographed for his longtime costume designers - Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, is to be auctioned off in California this weekend (25-26Jun11) - and a portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Hedren's Shambala Preserve.
The item is expected to fetch a minimum of $200,000 (Gbp125,000) - and the cash that Shambala receives could keep the sanctuary Jackson turned to in 2006 when he needed to find a new home for his tigers Thriller and Sabu going.
The Birds star Hedren, a longtime animal activist, tells the Globe, "We could really use the money. Michael's two Bengal tigers came to us in 2006 when he left his Neverland Ranch, and the upkeep for them and the rest of the animals is very expensive.
"It costs $75,000 a month to keep Shambala operational, which includes caring for the compound and the best food and medical care for the (big) cats.
Experts at Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles predict the Thriller jacket could go under the hammer for $1 million (Gbp625,000).