Born Free ADOPT Magazine - Autumn 2018

How is YOUR adopted animal getting on?

AUTUMN 2018

MEET THE YOUNG KING

Our LITTLE LION Has cOmE HOmE

NEW PANGOLIN HOSPITAL PErFEcT PLacE FOr OrPHaNs

LONG, LAZY BATHS

PLUS • cHEEKy cHEETaHs • GIraFFE mOTOrbIKEs • Orcas LOvE PEbbLEs • OH NauGHTy sara!

HOW KyrIaKOs KEEPs cOOL KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD

Issue 11

Long-legged lifeline

WELCOME

Numbers of the world’s rarest giraffes are going up up and up in Niger! The dedicated team use motorbikes and online ‘CyberTracker’ software to monitor this endangered species and keep them safe.

There are three reasons I’m so happy to welcome you to this edition of Adopt! magazine. Firstly, because, as an adopter, you help our charity look after a real, live animal. If your adopted animal lives in a sanctuary, you help provide food and loving expert care. Or if your animal lives in the wild, you help keep them safe. I’m sure you can’t wait to hear the latest news – and there’s a gorgeous new photo too.

Secondly, I am very happy because, as an adopter, you protect wildlife in the wild as well. For example, if you adopt a rescued lion, you also fund compassionate conservation, helping safeguard lions in their natural habitat.

President, Born Free Foundation

© GCF

Will Travers OBE

© G Roberts

Finally, what makes me happiest of all is knowing you have a passion for wild animals, just like me. I’m thrilled you’re part of the ‘Born Free Family’, that you love animals as much as I do – fantastic! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you do.

Cover story

Cover photo © F Fortuna/BFF

© R Strubbe

King was just a cub when taken from his mother to be kept as a ‘pet’. The terrified little lion was found half-starved and lonely in a dirty cage in an apartment near Paris. But today he enjoys life at our sanctuary in South Africa – see p4 for King’s full story, and the back cover to adopt him.

CONTENTS

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

*COVER STORY

King the young lion* Sinbad & Achee the lions Dolo the lion Roque the tiger tribute Jasper the tiger Leopard Family Cheetah Family* Elephant Family Madhavi the elephant Giraffe Family* Mugaruka & Chimanuka the gorillas Chinoise & Eve the chimps Sara & Afrika the chimps* Teddy the monkey Pangi the pangolin* Springer the orca & her calves * Muddy the dolphin & her calves Turtle Family Hyena Family The Web Valley wolves Ginny the moon bear Kyriakos the brown bear *

Go wild with born Free!

The born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity and we’re wild about animals!

We take action worldwide to save lions, elephants, apes, tigers, giraffes and lots more.

We believe wild animals belong in the wild. so get into wildlife and go wild with born Free!

Adopt! is published in March and September each year.

Editor: Celia Nicholls, celia@bornfree.org.uk Design: Claire Stanford, claire@bornfree.org.uk Born Free Foundation, Broadlands Business Campus, Langhurstwood Road, Horsham RH12 4QP. 01403 240170 info@bornfree.org.uk www.bornfree.org.uk Charity No: 1070906 Printed on recycled paper

connect with us

Join our family on social media Facebook – bornfreefoundation Twitter – @bornfreefdn Instagram – @bornfreefoundation None of our rescued animals in permanent care are allowed to breed; we vasectomise males or spay/give hormone implants to females. We do not want to add to the captive population, plus sanctuary space is in short supply, so we keep these precious spaces for animals most needing rescue.

Pangolin hospital

Gorgeous new range

Tamu and Nura have been testing out their pouncing skills. The springy sisters do their best to stalk free-roaming wild monkeys and birds, which stray into their enclosure in Ethiopia, but to no avail!

The pangolin rescue team have used termite mound bricks to construct a small but vital building. It’s the perfect place for treated pangolins to recover before returning to the wild.

Created especially for Born Free, our bespoke design new t-shirts inject a whole lot of fun and colour! Visit give.bornfree.org.uk/shop to enjoy the full rainbow range for kids and women.

© Sangha Lodge

Cheeky cheetahs

KING

COVER STORY

New life in Africa

Alone and terrified when rescued

Latest news on King the young lion

© F30MA

Playful, long-legged King, is the newest (little) big cat to arrive at Shamwari. King joined us in July, making a life-changing 10,000km journey from Natuurhulpcentrum (NHC) rescue centre, in Belgium. Every day he’s becoming more inquisitive and is full of character. But this hasn’t always been the case - King had a dreadful start in life. In October 2017 he was found half-starved in an apartment near Paris. Kept illegally as an ‘exotic pet’, King was lonely and terrified in 04 KING | AUTUMN 2018

King eagerly finished his first meal then set off to explore, before lying down in the shade of the dense bush at the top of his enclosure.

Since arriving at Shamwari King has experienced African rain for the first time – a much-needed downpour which turned the earth a deep red and gave him a good wash, leaving his coat clean and glossy. He is fascinated by the different insects, especially at night. He’s had great fun trying to catch moths as they flutter around him under the light of the glowing full moon.

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

Jora and Black roared a welcome

© BF Shamwari

Born Free knew just the place! On July 5th the team and I met him at NHC and watched as, unfazed, King bravely stepped into his travel crate. Final checks were made and he was ready to embark on his incredible journey, accompanied by our team of experts. Travelling by road, train and plane keeping a careful eye on King at every stage - we arrived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I breathed a sigh of relief as we began the final drive to Shamwari. The next day we released King into his spacious new enclosure and he bounded out into the bright winter sunshine.

Lifting his paws high he felt grass under his young feet for the very first time. Minutes later neighbouring lion brothers Jora and Black, rescued from a Bulgarian circus, began a roaring chorus – as if welcoming him. The young King was finally home.

SHAMWARI RESERVE SOUTH AFRICA

EXOTIC PETS It is staggering that lion cubs are still finding their way into the pet trade in Europe. Tragically, millions of wild animals around the world, including lizards and monkeys, are kept as exotic ‘pets’, many illegally – like King. Born Free is working hard to tackle this wildlife trade.

Wild animals, whether wild-caught or bred in captivity, have complex needs and can greatly suffer when kept as as pets.

© www.georgelogan.co.uk

a small, dirty cage. Fortunately, the fourmonth-old cub was taken in by our good friends at NHC. A perfect short-term solution, but he needed a lifetime home.

AUTUMN 2018 | KING 05

SINBAD & ACHEE

Their story Beautiful Sinbad, born in 2001, is half the size of a normal lion due to his poor early diet. Rescued from a squalid zoo in Romania in 2007, Before Born Free he shares his large enclosure with Achee the lioness.

Rescued from a snowy Romanian car-park in 2004, she too is undersized due to an unsuitable early diet. For 11 years she lived with Ma Juah the lioness and was heartbroken when she died.

But in June 2015 she was introduced to Sinbad and now they are great friends.

06 sINbaD & acHEE | AUTUMN 2018

Latest news on sinbad & achee the lions The seasons in South Africa are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. So from June to August our big cat rescue centres at Shamwari enjoyed the cooling winter temperatures. Sinbad and Achee didn’t seem to mind the colder morning and evenings, but made sure to make the most of the warm sun when it came out during the day. As soon as the sun starts to heat up the air and the morning dew has disappeared, the pair stretch out in the warming rays of the sun, lying close to each other of course.

Photos © www.georgelogan.co.uk

Both Achee and Sinbad are doing very well fit and healthy and pretty much always together, often copying each other’s movements. Our Animal Care Manager, Glen Vena, spends time watching all of the big cats, checking them every day to making sure they are well, happy and healthy. “I was watching them recently and Achee started to roll on her back. She stretched her front paws out and gave a big yawn and Sinbad did the same. Then they both got up at the

SHAMWARI RESERVE SOUTH AFRICA same time and had a drink of water before going for a wander through their enclosure.”

Although Achee is certainly the leader in the relationship, they are both very affectionate, often seen rubbing their heads against each other, and so gentle with each other – most of the time! But we get the impression that Achee likes to be the centre of attention. Glen was recently taking a picture of Sinbad and Achee. “I wanted to get both of them in the photo, but Achee pushed Sinbad out of the way and came to sit right in front of me.”

She then gave a great yawn and rested her head on her big paws ready for her close up!

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

CARING FOR CATS IN SOUTH AFRICA Shamwari is the biggest wildlife reserve in the Eastern Cape and home to a huge range of wild animals as well as two Born Free Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres. Here, 13 rescued lions and four leopards receive loving care for life in expansive bush enclosures three to four acres in size, while visitors, students and local school children learn about Born Free and our work to care for individuals and protect wild populations.

AUTUMN 2018 | sINbaD & acHEE 07

DOLO

Latest news on Dolo the lion This year in Ethiopia the ‘short rain’ season has blended right into the long rains. There are rainfalls almost every day at Ensessa Kotteh, with roads and paths covered in puddles, even turning into streams at times.

Most of the animals spend their days sheltering from the downpour. Dolo’s favoured hiding place is under the largest bush in his enclosure. He has even managed to wear away some of the underbrush, leaving himself a perfectly Doloshaped space to lie in!

08 DOLO | AUTUMN 2018

When the sun does manage to make an appearance, so does Dolo. He takes advantage of every possible sunny moment, despite these being somewhat few and far between at the moment. As soon as the sun shines, the grass begins to dry out and the air begins to warm up. Dolo comes out of his hiding place and stretches out under the warm rays. Lovely Safia, his companion, has been making the most of the limited sunshine too, sneakily trying to beat Dolo to the best spot in the sun!

We also care for three sets of rescued lion brothers at Ensessa Kotteh - our youngsters Rea and Girma, the ‘Italians’ Andrea and

Janu, and ‘Army Brothers’ Major and General. Rea and Girma have spent almost as much time climbing up into the trees as they have on the ground lately. They’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the construction crew as they make the final touches to their new enclosure. As soon as the rainy season is over, they will be moved into their spacious new home.

Sadly our older boy, General, has had a bit of a tough time. We noticed he had started to lose weight, which was quickly diagnosed to be due to a stomach ulcer. Poor General!

Fortunately, thanks to our dedicated staff and veterinary team, he received the care he needed, and is on the road to recovery. At 20 years old both General and Major are into their golden years and enjoying a slower pace of life, especially compared to Rea and Girma.

Dolo’s story

Before Born Free

For four long years Dolo was kept on a 1m chain in a wooden shack in southern Ethiopia, near the Somali border. Emaciated and lonely, his mane was rubbed off by the chain and his desolate roar echoed around the town. But we rescued him with EWCA* in 2007 and now Dolo shares a spacious bush enclosure with Safia, a young rescued lioness. They both have recovered from their ordeals and receive expert care and great diets at our centre. *Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority

ENSESSA KOTTEH RESCUE CENTRE ETHIOPIA These two youngsters are around two-and-ahalf years old now and often seen playing, chasing each other and generally getting up to mischief!

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

CARING FOR CATS IN ETHIOPIA Ensessa Kotteh is the first such facility in Ethiopia and is much-needed. Sadly there are many wild animals kept in terrible captive conditions and there is a thriving illegal trade in wild animals as exotic pets. Our rescue centre is based on an idyllic 77 hectare site, just 23km from the capital city Addis Ababa. Here Born Free cares for 10 rescued lions and many other rescued, orphaned and injured animals including cheetahs, servals, caracals, hyenas, monkeys and birds. They live in spacious enclosures filled with beautiful indigenous trees and bushes, with dense undergrowth to explore and cool soil to roll in.

AUTUMN 2018 | DOLO 09

TRIBUTE TO ROQUE 17th May 1998 - 18th August 2018

Other news from India Wild-born Gopal - given a home when he came into conflict with people - really enjoys his extensive forest. His enclosure was recently reinforced to make it safe for him.

Gopal is seven years old, beautiful, Meet Gopal bold and energetic! Now this magnificent tiger can disappear into trees, relax in the shade, or patrol around as he would in the wild.

10 rOQuE | AUTUMN 2018

Our beloved old tiger Roque recently died after a long and happy retirement at Born Free’s tiger sanctuary in Bannerghatta, India.

Although we are very sad to lose him, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate his long life with Born Free.

Roque – you’ll always have a special place in our hearts!

BANNERGHATTA TIGER SANCTUARY INDIA

Put on sale in a Spanish pet shop when just a little cub

Rescued in a dramatic undercover operation

He quickly recovered from his ordeal And came to live at a sanctuary in Kent

In 2002 a glorious day dawned…

Loaded into a crate and taken to a new life

At home in India AUTUMN 2018 | rOQuE 11

JASPER

© Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre

Jasper’s story Jasper was just a newborn Indochinese tiger cub when poachers stole him from his forest home in Cambodia in 1998, no doubt killing his mother. Destined for life in a tiger farm or zoo, fortunately he was confiscated – sickly, terrified and malnourished. With expert medical attention he made a full recovery and now lives in a large forested enclosure at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Latest news on Jasper the tiger The rainy season in Cambodia brings relief from the soaring summer temperatures, with awesome cloud formations and sweeping downpours, creating emerald green landscapes. Jasper seems unfazed by the rain and likes to spend time resting amongst the low-growing foliage and trees in his forest enclosure – which act as an umbrella shading him from the showers.

Although Jasper has lived in a sanctuary for most of his life, he behaves very much like a 12 JasPEr | AUTUMN 2018

tiger who has always lived in the wild. Jasper likes to keep out of sight, he is incredibly skilled at hiding, able to make himself ‘disappear’ amongst rocks and vegetation. He sometimes growls when people approach, including the centre vet, so although the staff can’t see him, they know he is there somewhere – watching them.

It is no secret that Jasper dislikes ‘paparazzi’.

As soon as anyone points a camera at him, he hides somewhere between the rocks or under amongst the vegetation in his enclosure – which makes capturing photos of him a bit of a challenge!

COVER STORY

Can you spot your tiger hiding?

PHNOM TAMAO WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTRE CAMBODIA CONSERVATION IN CAMBODIA

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

Jasper’s enclosure mimics the natural habitat of a tiger and is like a small forest. By adopting him you have helped to give him a life that he deserves! His spacious enclosure has big natural rocks, plenty of natural vegetation and a pond – which Jasper treats as his personal swimming pool. Your adoption also supports Jasper’s daily care, ensuring the animal care team can provide him with high-quality food, mineral supplements to ensure he gets all the nutrients he needs to stay healthy, veterinary care, and medication when it is needed. This includes Jasper’s routine health checks and his annual vaccination against rabies and

Just 50 years ago there were 40,000 tigers across Asia, today over 90% have been wiped out and just 4,000 remain. There are as few as 350 of the Indochinese subspecies found in the mountainous terrains and remote forested hills of southern China, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Human exploitation and loss of prey species are major problems, but wild tigers are now strictly protected in Cambodia with millions of acres of forests now kept safe.

de-worming medication which he needs once every three months.

Jasper is in his golden years now, at over 18 years old, but although he is enjoying a slower pace of life, he remains in very good health. He still has a big appetite and is especially observant of his surroundings.

When the sun negotiates its way out between the seasonal rains, he likes to bathe in its warm rays and his beautiful thick and shiny fur glistens in the sunlight.

AUTUMN 2018 | JasPEr 13

Legendary Leda

Photos © www.georgelogan.co.uk

THE LEOPARD FAMILY

Amazing Alam

Latest news on The Leopard Family Lovely leopard mum Leda seems to be enjoying the cooler winter temperatures of South Africa. The oldest of our big cats, she is calm and wise, and in tip-top condition despite now being an astonishing 28 years old. Leda is always very aware of her surroundings. Even when she seems to be fast asleep in her favourite spot in the bushes, she’ll be up and on her feet as soon as she hears an enticing sound – especially if a bird pops into her enclosure. Leda often likes to sit right at the top of her jungle gym viewing

14 LEOParD FamILy | AUTUMN 2018

Leda’s daughter, Rhea, is much shyer in comparison and loves to hide – she is so good at ‘vanishing’. Like other leopards, Rhea’s rosette patterned coat blends perfectly with the landscape, allowing her to ‘disappear’ amongst the vegetation in her enclosure. For leopards living in the wild, this camouflage is very important. It allows them to stealthy creep up on their prey, getting as near as possible to pounce from a short distance.

Like Rhea, our loving brothers Sami and Alam enjoy the privacy provided by the vegetation in their enclosure, and they too like to hide out of sight. When temperatures are hot, the boys spend a lot of their time under the trees enjoying the shade. They appear now and again to have a drink, then snooze in the shade next to their water trough.

More recently though, and perhaps due to the cooler South Africa winter weather, both Sami and Alam have been spending a lot more time up on their jungle gym. They seem to enjoy climbing as high as they can, before relaxing and having a snooze in the sunshine.

Now and again, in turn, they stir from their sleep, open their eyes and have a good look around – before dozing off again. Affectionate Sami and Alam mostly spend their time together, but sometimes split off when they are on their own missions to explore the dense undergrowth!

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

SHAMWARI RESERVE SOUTH AFRICA

Their story Our stunning ‘family’ of leopards live in spacious bush enclosures, full of Before Born Free shady shrubs and bushes, plus dense undergrowth. They include the brothers Sami and Alam, rescued with their sister Nimira when found alone as cubs in Sudan in 2001.

Nimira sadly died in 2017, but her brothers remain – loving and playful. Then there are mother and daughter Leda and Rhea who came from a terrible cage in Limassol Zoo, Cyprus in 2009.

LEOPARDS UNDER THREAT Intelligent and agile, leopards are skilled hunters who rely on stealth, camouflage and lightning speed reactions. Leopards have the widest range of any species of cat in Africa and Asia. But many wild populations are under threat due to human pressures and habitat loss, while captive animals are exploited in zoos and circuses. Africa’s leopard subspecies is not considered in immediate danger of extinction but Asia’s leopard subspecies are all classed ‘endangered’.

AUTUMN 2018 | LEOParD FamILy 15

© G Vena/BF Shamwari

platform, so she has a clear 360 degree view of her surroundings. She really likes to know what’s going on!

THE CHEETAH FAMILY

Latest news on The cheetah Family The wet season is very much underway at Ensessa Kotteh. This year, the short rainy season has blended straight into the long rains. But unlike most of the resident animals, who have been doing their upmost to avoid the rain, young sisters Tamu and Nura are unfazed by the downpours and have been especially active – come rain or shine.

Both Tamu and Nura have cheeky characters and have been testing out their pouncing skills on wild birds and mice which stray into 16 cHEETaH FamILy | AUTIUMN 2018

COVER STORY

their enclosure – but to no avail. The construction of their new enclosure has brought out the curiosity in the free-roaming vervet population. Tamu and Nura have been fascinated – keeping a close eye on the monkeys and using it as an opportunity to practice their hiding and stalking skills.

Free-roaming primates such as olive baboons have also been visiting the cheetah enclosures, enticed by all the wild-growing berries which are now ripe. Brothers Namazzi and Dembe find this particularly fascinating.

Like Tamu and Nura, they’ve been using this as an opportunity to – unsuccessfully – test out their stalking skills. They can’t get close

enough to pose a danger to the monkeys, but this doesn’t put them off trying!

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

Their story

Before Born Free

Most members of our extended family were victims of the exotic pet trade and stolen from the wild as cubs. Many were rescued in Somaliland by our friends at Agro Action and were being illegally sold. Happily, at our centre they have recovered and, split into males and females, live in spacious, tree-filled enclosures with undergrowth to explore and plenty of room to run.

CHEETAHS UNDER THREAT Once found on five continents, the species is now under threat due to conflict with humans, loss of habitat and prey, as well as loss of ‘genetic diversity’. Another major problem is the exotic pet trade, but cheetahs, like all wild animals, are very difficult to care for and never make good pets. Just over 7,000 African cheetahs are thought to remain in the wild in around 25 African countries.

Less than 100 Asiatic cheetahs remain scattered in Iran.

AUTUMN 2018 | cHEETaH FamILy 17

© Bereket Girma

All this monkey business is certainly keeping the cheetahs busy and enriching their lives.

It’s good the cheetahs can express these natural behaviours. Their enclosure improvements are very much underway now, but unfortunately there are limitations to what construction work can be carried out in the rainy season. But as soon as the wet weather has passed and the construction work complete, the cheetahs will be moved into their new space. We’ll report back soon!

ENSESSA KOTTEH RESCUE CENTRE ETHIOPIA

THE ELEPHANT FAMILY Their story The world famous EB Elephant Family were stars of the BBC’s Echo of the Elephants TV series.They flourished under the wise matriarch Echo’s leadership until her death in 2009.

Today, the loving family has dozens of members including Echo’s sisters, daughters, granddaughters and calves. One EB subgroup is led by Edwina, Echo’s granddaughter, born in 1982.

Latest news on The Elephant Family Finally the drought came to an end, and it broke in style with huge rainstorms across Kenya for six weeks back in April. The deluge actually meant most of the elephants left the park and moved to higher ground.

Before these rains came the EB family had headed across the nearby border to Tanzania to find food, as there had already 18 ELEPHaNT FamILy | AUTUMN 2018

been rain there. Enid – daughter of the world famous matriarch elephant Echo – left first with her cousin Eudora, together with their family sub-groups. Echo’s granddaughter Edwina and her group had stayed a few weeks longer before following into Tanzania to find food.

Then in May we were happy to see the elephants return to Amboseli after the rains.

This time Enid, Eudora, Edwina and co were all together. It is fascinating to learn more

Edwina’s daughter Elana (left) has given birth to a fat and healthy little girl (centre)

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK KENYA INCREDIBLE ELEPHANTS Elephants are the largest of all land animals and are gentle, intelligent, loving and loyal – living in close-knit families.

Two species exist in Africa and one in Asia. Sadly, elephants are exploited by people both in the wild and in captivity.

Born Free fights captive exploitation and the appalling trade in ivory – poachers kill elephants for their tusks to supply ruthless dealers, and numbers are plummeting throughout Africa. Visit bornfree.org.uk/crisis to find out more.

about elephant behaviour – their leadership and their ‘ranging’ to different areas. Echo had regularly headed to Tanzania with the entire EB family, and now her daughters and granddaughters are developing their own survival strategies – amazing!

You will be happy to hear that Edwina’s portion of the family is thriving and has a new arrival. Her daughter Elana, born in 2004, gave birth to her own calf in early May. We were delighted to see her with a healthy, fat,

Photos © ATE

By cynthia moss Founder of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants

Ewok is now five years old

little female calf. Meanwhile, little Ewok, Emily Kate’s five-year-old son, seems to be doing well since his mother sadly died last year. He has spent time with his aunt Enid and her group. Young orphans often transfer to other family units in this way.

AUTUMN 2018 | ELEPHaNT FamILy 19

MADHAVI

By manori Gunawardena Country Representative, Born Free Sri Lanka

Latest news on madhavi the elephant Madhavi was 18 months old when rescued, which is older than most calves taken in at the Elephant Transit Home. These infant elephants integrate very quickly with the other orphans when introduced to the herd – following the cues of older calves. In Madhavi’s case, however, her assimilation during the initial months of treatment and care was more gradual.

During the first year, she was always in the last group to enter the milk-feeding paddock 20 maDHavI | AUTUMN 2018

and the first to leave for the grazing area.

Now, while some of the orphans jostle and rush in, Madhavi always patiently waits her turn and follows the routine with ease. She clearly takes after her Sanskrit name – ‘as sweet as honey’.

This year the nearby Uda Walawe Reservoir is full and, as the dry summer months continue, the herd has plenty of grass as the water level slowly recedes. The herd spends most of the day scuffing at grass with their feet, gathering it up carefully in their trunks in bite-sized clumps to chew on. Being shy by nature, Madhavi gravitates to the centre of the herd when grazing in the open grasslands.

ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME SRI LANKA Madhavi’s story Madhavi was just 18 months old when found alone in 2016.

We don’t know what When rescued happened to her mother, but she was far too young to survive on her own. Fortunately she was rescued by the Elephant Transit Home which cares for orphan elephants and returns them to the wild when they are ready. Today, this little elephant drinks 40 pints of milk a day!

ELEPHANT CONFLICT She spends most of her time with calves her own age, a smaller grouping within the larger herd. This instinct to gravitate towards the centre of a herd and making strong bonds with others of similar age will serve her well in the future when, if all goes well, she is released back to the wild.

This is Born Free’s fourth orphan elephant we have cared for at the Elephant Transit Home and Madhavi’s predecessors – Pinkie, Matilda and Jubilee – have all successfully returned to their natural habitat, thanks to the help of their wonderful adopters!

Elephants need large amounts of space, food and water to survive. There are fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants, less than a 10th of the African population.

These elephants are under serious threat, mostly from impacts on their habitat from an expanding human population. Sri Lanka is a relatively small country with a high human population density and over 4,000 elephants. This can lead to conflict, with injury and death on both sides, as elephants can wander close to human settlements and raid crops. Born Free works to find solutions so that people and elephants can live together harmoniously.

AUTUMN 2018 | maDHavI 21

THE GIRAFFE FAMILY

COVER STORY

Latest news on The Giraffe Family I’ve just received another exciting report from Julian Fennessy at the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). You’ll be happy to hear that your adopted giraffes are thriving – and will soon be expanding their range!

“Giraffe in Niger are the last remaining of the West African giraffe and, to our greatest joy, the population is booming. In 20 years, their numbers have multiplied 10-fold, increasing from 49 individuals in 1995 to more than 600 today. Such an impressive growth – thank you for helping to keep these precious giraffes safe!

We are working to create the first-ever translocated population in the country, into Gadabeji Reserve – where the species used to be found. In preparation for this, GCF, the Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF), and the Niger government undertook an aerial and ground survey to record the wildlife, evaluate the habitat, and document the human or ‘anthropogenic’ pressure in and around the reserve. All looks very positive! Stay tuned for more news about this exciting effort planned for late 2018. The GCF-SCF team also recently led a field trip to count and

© GCF

“To help their long-term survival, GCF and partners are assessing an opportunity to establish a new population of giraffe in Niger.

22 GIraFFE FamILy | AUTUMN 2018

Niger is home to a precious population of West African giraffes. Facing some tough challenges, this is the rarest subspecies of giraffes in the world. Just a few hundred individuals live in an 840km2 area close to capital city Niamey. The giraffes are well adapted to a dry climate and sparse vegetation, but habitat loss and conflict with people can be a problem.

monitor the giraffe in their current distribution area – using the new online software tool ‘GiraffeSpotter’. This was the first time such work was undertaken in Niger, and we hope that continued monitoring will help us obtain an accurate update on giraffe numbers. We will report back!

“One of our key partners is the Niger Ecotourism Valorisation Organisation, who play a major role in giraffe conservation by supporting giraffe tourism. To encourage their work, we helped buy their team new uniforms and maintain their motorbikes – crucial for giraffe monitoring! We are also training their guides to use Cybertracker, another useful tool for monitoring giraffes.

“It is fantastic to see so many positive changes happening in Niger. Thanks to the Born Free Foundation and all giraffe adopters for helping us. You are supporting both these amazing creatures and the local people who live with them.”

By Dr Liz Greengrass Associate Director Conservation Africa

KOURE PLATEAU AND NORTH DALLOL BOSSO NIGER Long-legged lifeline We are very excited to announce that GiraffeSpotter is now up and running.

Visit www.giraffespotter.com to find out more. Members of the public are invited to submit their photos and help conserve, study, and monitor precious West African giraffes in Niger.

© Roland

The giraffes’ story

EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS The giraffes’ giant size helps them reach leaves on top of trees, too high for smaller animals. Giraffes might seem fragile, with spindly legs, but they are extremely strong and fast. A well-placed kick could shatter the skull of a predatory lion, while a running giraffe can reach speeds of more than 35 miles (56km) per hour. Giraffes are under pressure, both in captivity where they are exploited in zoos and circuses, and in the wild. Wild giraffes have been extensively hunted for their meat, but today their main threat is loss of suitable habitat.

AUTUMN 2018 | GIraFFE FamILy 23

MUGARUKA & CHIMANUKA

Latest news on mugaruka & chimanuka the gorillas

other as they search for ripe fruits. This can lead to disagreements and this year there was an aggressive interaction between two silverbacks: your very own Chimanuka and his eldest son, Bonane! Chimanuka, now 28 years old, proved to be the more powerful of the two. Bonane was injured in the fight, but fortunately his wounds are quickly healing.

You’ll be thrilled to hear that Kahuzi-Biega’s critically endangered eastern lowland gorillas increased in number from 151 to 160 this year! All 13 gorilla families in the park are healthy and doing well, including Nyababiri One-handed Mugaruka is also doing well. (‘mother of twins’) and her offspring – 13year-old Numbi and Busana. The rare twins will Now 30 years old, he remains solitary and soon be old enough to start their own families. strategically avoids younger males who may injure him. He sometimes even forages in communal fields, hence his nickname as ‘the July was fruiting season in eastern agronomist’ (‘crop expert’)! Mugaruka doesn’t Democratic Republic of Congo, and gorilla attack farmers or destroy crops – although families often come into contact with each 24 muGaruKa & cHImaNuKa | AUTUMN 2018

© R Griffiths/The Mirror and I Redmond (inset)

By Dr Liz Greengrass Head of Conservation

KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Mighty Chimanuka

Mugaruka and Chimanuka are a magnificent pair of rare Eastern Lowland gorillas, living in the mountain rainforests of a vast 6,000km2 park, in the eastern DRC. Both are massive, powerful adult males, known as ‘silverbacks’. Mugaruka lost a hand in a poacher’s snare and – unable to defend a family – mostly lives alone. Chimanuka lives together with his large family, a ‘harem’ of females and their offspring. Since 2000, Born Free has supported a team of brave rangers who risk their lives to keep these gorillas safe from poachers.

he does sometimes snack on tasty exotic herbs! – and fortunately the local community is excited to help monitor and protect him.

Sadly, rangers discovered a baby gorilla trapped in a snare this year. The youngster’s family tried to save him by cutting the snare from the tree, but it remained tightly wound around the baby’s left wrist, cutting deeply into the skin. We’re happy to report that veterinarians successfully removed the snare and treated the painful wound, and the baby can once again use his hand when walking and gripping.

Photos© christophermichel.com

Their stories

And one of his adorable offspring!

MEET THE GORILLA One of our closest relatives, the gorilla is the biggest of the great apes. They might be powerful, but gorillas are intelligent, peaceful vegetarians, who live in closeknit family groups. Sadly, they are under terrible threat – their forest homes are destroyed by logging companies, which opens up habitats to poachers. Gorillas are killed for meat or tourist ‘curios’, their terrified infants sold as pets. Today less than 3,800 eastern lowland gorillas remain, a 77% loss since 1994.

AUTUMN 2018 | MUGARUKA & CHIMANUKA 25

CHINOISE & EVE

Chinoise enjoys her ‘greens’ every day

Latest news on chinoise & Eve the chimps Your little Chinoise is still too young to be integrated into one of the big chimpanzee groups. But in the meantime she happily remains in the comfort of the nursery, together with other chimps Ngambe, Jackie and Ghaa – the older male who is a little disabled having been rescued suffering from bullet wounds.

Chinoise has been integral in Jackie’s rehabilitation. Jackie was kept as a pet for 17 years and needed help to ‘learn to be a chimp’ again. Meanwhile, calm Ghaa is an excellent companion for Chiniose, teaching 26 cHINOIsE & EvE | AUTUMN 2018

her what kind of behaviour will and will not be tolerated by older chimps! Chinoise always has a playful and cheeky expression on her face and loves eating the plant aframomum. All Limbe’s chimps are given this plant every day, sustainably sourced from the local community, to make sure they have a well-balanced diet.

Meanwhile, Eve is one of the most charismatic and kind chimpanzees in the island group. Her caring nature has been helpful during the integration of younger chimps Lolo, Madame and Mayos. Chimps have complex social groups and whenever new individuals are introduced there are lots of issues to work out, including who new individuals will get along with and how their introduction affects the ‘hierarchy’.

LIMBE WILDLIFE CENTRE CAMEROON Their stories

As does Eve!

Nonetheless, integration of Lolo, Madame and Mayos has been a huge success, with these three females now fully accepted. Eve has been a huge help in this process. She is quite high up in the hierarchy and good friends with the oldest and most dominant female Suzanne, so has a lot of influence.

Fortunately for Lolo, Madame and Mayos, wonderful Eve was always there to protect them and to help calm any tensions. Thank you for helping care for these fascinating animals in Cameroon!

Š LWC

When Chinoise was just a few weeks old, her mother was killed by poachers and she was sold as a pet to a Chinese restaurant in Douala, Cameroon, in 2013. Luckily, the baby chimp was rescued by Limbe Wildlife Centre, supported by Born Free since 2004, who also care for Eve. One of the older animals, Eve, is part of a community of rescued chimps, and was rescued in 2005.

MEET THE CHIMPANZEE Chimpanzees are our closest relatives and share up to 98% of DNA with humans. They are extremely intelligent, feel complex emotions and live together in close-knit family communities, with a defined hierarchy. Like all great apes, chimps are perceptive, inventive and able to assess and learn from situations. They solve complex problems, pass information from one generation to the next, and make useful tools.

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager AUTUMN 2018 | cHINOIsE & EvE 27

SARA & AFRIKA

COVER STORY

Sara with her good friend Eazy (right)

Sara was just a baby when her mother was killed by poachers. A wildlife trader in South Sudan wanted to sell her as a pet but luckily she was rescued with three other baby chimps and brought to the wonderful sanctuary on Ngamba Island in 2011. Here, amidst 100 acres of rainforest, Sara has recovered and become part of a community of rescued chimps including the older female Afrika, rescued in 2007.

28 sara & aFrIKa | AUTUMN 2018

Latest news on sara & afrika the chimps Cheeky Sara is the second-youngest female in her troop of rescued chimpanzees and a lowranking individual amongst the other orphans at the island sanctuary. As well as having a strong bond with older female Connie, Sara has a close relationship with the other youngsters, especially Eazy. Sara is very protective, treating him as a brother, and has done ever since they were both ‘adopted’ by Connie.

Sara and Eazy play together and, come nighttime, like to sleep close to each other with

© CSWCT

Sara’s story

Connie. Sara’s love for Eazy has helped ease his integration in the main forest with the rest of the group. But Sara can sometimes get a bit carried away when playing with the babies in the group which can get her into trouble…

One morning, Sara was having some rough and tumble play with little Ruperelia. Sara got a bit boisterous, causing the infant to scream.

Older chimp Surprise dashed over to give Sara a telling off, but Sara then called to Connie and another older female, Natasha, for help. This sparked a disagreement between the three females until Robbie, a big male, persuaded them all to calm down. Sara was much gentler playing with the little ones during the days that followed!

As many of you know, our older chimp Afrika loves her food and making sure she gets her fair share is very important to her. If anyone tries to take her food she lets out a loud shriek! She prefers to sit close to the forest, where there is minimum competition from her fellow-feasting chimps, to try and stop this from happening. Afrika was thrilled recently when she managed to distract Maisko and

NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY UGANDA CHIMPS UNDER THREAT Chimps suffer terrible exploitation at human hands. Poachers butcher entire families for the commercial ‘bushmeat’ market and sell the babies as exotic pets. Today, as few as 175,000 remain in the wild. Meanwhile, these highly sentient animals can suffer particularly badly in captivity, whether in zoos, circuses, when used in adverts, films or even research laboratories. pinch some of his carrots. She ran off into the forest to enjoy her spoils – naughty Afrika!

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

Afrika

AUTUMN 2018 | sara & aFrIKa 29

TEDDY

© BF USA

Teddy’s story Teddy is a young vervet monkey bred in an American zoo. She was taken from her mother when only four months old to be sold as a pet, but fortunately was brought to the safety of the Primate Sanctuary.

Here amidst 186 acres over 600 primates in need – baboons, macaques and vervets – are given expert loving care, and enjoy enriched lives in spacious enclosures in the most natural environment possible.

30 TEDDy | AUTUMN 2018

Gazing at her reflection in a stainless steel mirror

Latest news on Teddy the vervet monkey Along with the raging high temperatures down here in south Texas, Teddy the vervet’s fervour for life steadily increases with each passing day. Between playtime with younger playmate Mikey, teasing Billie and Bouf (her older enclosure mates) and even taunting the caregivers when it’s time to shift her between sections to clean the enclosure, Teddy never seems to have a dull moment. Other than when she decides to sit still and wants to be groomed of course!

Although we caretakers really struggle when the summertime temperatures soar above 37°C, Teddy and Mikey seem to prefer the summer haze. This is due to one improvement we make to their enclosure during this time of year: sprinklers. She knows our routine well, almost down to a science. When the first early afternoon temperature spike hits, taking the stuffy air from mildly uncomfortable to distinctly sweltering, we walk over to her enclosure to begin the process of sprinkler set up.

You can see the excitement in Teddy’s eyes in anticipation of some cool relief from the blazing heat, as she bops from one end of her enclosure to the other in almost one second flat. Once we hook up the hose to the sprinkler, Teddy begins to get more excited, and utters a few high-pitched squeals as we turn the hose on and the sprinkler ticks back and forth. Teddy immediately turns the addition of the sprinkler into a game, eagerly jumping from one end of her enclosure to the other as the spray mists everything in her path. Mikey joins Teddy’s

BORN FREE USA PRIMATE SANCTUARY TEXAS, USA MONKEYS UNDER THREAT Born Free campaigns to end the exploitation of monkeys in zoos and circuses, and prevent the trade in wild-caught monkeys for ‘bushmeat’ or as exotic pets. In Africa, Born Free helps rescue and care for monkeys sold as pets, then returns them to the wild in groups when they are ready. Vervet monkeys are used in laboratories for biomedical research and Born Free USA’s Primate Sanctuary rescues ex-lab monkeys, and those kept as pets or in zoos, and gives them a life worth living.

game of ‘not-it’ too, and soon both can be seen dancing around their enclosure to the summer song of the sprinkler.

Although playing in the sprinklers can’t compare to Teddy and Mikey witnessing rain in the freedom of the wild, we can at the very least provide them with a safe (and fun!) way to expend some of their seemingly endless energy here at Born Free.

By Devan schowe Primate Caregiver AUTUMN 2018 | TEDDy 31

PANGI

Latest news on Pangi the pangolin Pangi is still happily roaming in her habitat of tropical forest and swamp surrounding the Sangha Eco-Lodge in the Dzanga-Sangha region of the Central African Republic. With the help of technology, we have been recording her daily sleeping places in trees for two years now, and will soon have a good idea of her home-range size and her movements within it. We recently started using radios to relay and record information quickly, giving us the ability to develop an 32 PaNGI | AUTUMN 2018

insight into activity patterns during the day: in a 10 minute interval we can collect information about Pangi, either resting, walking, eating or foraging.

She tends to split her time between two preferred areas, possibly due to seasonal changes or the availability of their main food source – ants, which she spends most of her day searching for! During the recent rainy season, heavy tropical rain and strong winds in 50m high foliage made it especially hard to monitor Pangi’s activity. Her hunter-gatherer Ba’aka indigenous trackers (or ‘people of the forest’) sometimes lost track of her for one or

SANGHA ECO-LODGE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

COVER STORY

Pangi’s story

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

© Sangha Lodge

Pangi is an incredible young pangolin kept safe by Sangha Lodge. She was found as a tiny, starving baby in 2014, but under the watchful eye of lodge owners Rod and Tamar Cassidy, has recovered well. Here in the tropical rainforests, home to gorillas and forest elephants, the Cassidys help wildlife in need and support community development.

two days. When this happened all the Ba’aka working at the Eco-Lodge joined the search, chanting for the forest spirit’s help and climbing trees to show their joy when Pangi was found!

Thanks to extra funding from Born Free, during the first half of 2018 the team were able to construct a small building made from termite mound bricks. This will serve as a clinic/laboratory, a volunteer house and a place for treated pangolins to recover before being released back to the wild. Fantastic – thanks everyone!

PANGOLINS UNDER THREAT The illegal wildlife trade is a terrible threat and pangolins are the world’s most illegally-trafficked mammal. There are eight species of pangolin, four in Africa and four in Asia, and 100,000 are killed every year for meat – considered to be a delicacy, and scales – used in traditional medicine. Deforestation (chopping down) of their tropical forest homes is another big problem. Born Free campaigns to stop the trade in pangolins and attends important global meetings to discuss the problems pangolins face and encourage better ways to protect them.

AUTUMN 2018 | PaNGI 33

SPRINGER & HER CALVES

Latest news on springer & her calves Born Free believes passionately that wild animals belong in the wild. Our campaign continues to highlight the plight of orcas and other dolphins kept in tanks. This is why Springer’s remarkable true story of freedom is so important – she reminds us that every orca is an individual. I was delighted to receive this update from our friends Dr Paul Spong and Helena Symonds at Orcalab.

“It is incredible, but 14th July marked the 16th anniversary of the day Springer, orphaned as a baby, was released back into her home waters and her orca community. It had been a long journey from the time she was discovered, all alone, languishing in Puget Sound near Seattle, Washington State, 34 sPrINGEr & HEr caLvEs | AUTUMN 2018

in January 2002. Thanks to an OrcaLab recording made when Springer’s mum Sutlej was five years old, we were able to identify who Springer was.

“It was a big team effort but eventually Springer, after receiving care and nourishment for a month in a sea pen, was lifted aboard a high-speed catamaran and transported 250 miles north to a small bay on Hanson Island and a second sea-pen.

Springer spent her first and only night in that pen, gorging on wild salmon, joyously leaping from the water again and again! Later, in the dark of night, her family passed by. She became so excited hearing them she could barely enunciate her calls. After just 19 hours, she was released, back amongst her kind.

“Fast forward 16 years and Springer has become a mother twice over and has never

COVER STORY

HANSON ISLAND JOHNSON STRAIT CANADA

again been separated from the company and support of her community. Our 2018 season began with Springer returning with her two little ones, Spirit (A104) and A116 (yet to be given a name). She took them to the rubbing beaches, where orca rub their bodies against pebbles in shallow water – traditional behaviour for this orca population. Our remote cameras captured their rubs from above and below water – a heart-warming beautiful moment. Clearly, Springer is still nursing her newest baby. Bereft of her own mother at an early age, she is now all grown up and a caring mother of two, fulfilling her orca destiny, with the help of your adoption.”

By samantha Goddard Campaigns Officer

In 2002, Springer was just two years old when her mother died and she became lost near Seattle, USA. Miraculously, the baby orca was identified by her unique calls and taken 250 miles, by boat, back to her wild family near Canada’s Vancouver Island. Here Orcalab monitor wild orca, supported by Born Free since 1994. In 2013, Springer gave birth to her own baby, called Spirit, then in 2017 a second calf was born – wonderful!

EXTRAORDINARY ORCA The orca or ‘killer whale’ is actually the largest member of the dolphin family and can be found in every ocean. An adult male can grow to 9m long and weigh a colossal 10 tonnes. Orca are highly intelligent, sentient creatures with intricate social lives and defined culture, communicating with a complex language of calls. Only death or capture separates an orca from its family.

AUTUMN 2018 | sPrINGEr & HEr caLvEs 35

© Cetacealab

Their story

MUDDY & HER CALVES

Their story Muddy lives in the Moray Firth, a North Sea inlet near Inverness. The firth has 500 miles of coastline and is home to over 500 dolphins, including the 3.5m long 350kg female Muddy. She was born in 1989 to the female Guinness, and has had seven calves, including Hiccup, born in 2014, and Moonshine born in October 2016.

Latest news on muddy & her calves You’ll love this update from Dr Kevin Robinson on your adopted dolphin family.

He’s happy to report that Muddy and Moonshine are still close-knit and doing well.

Muddy is often spotted stroking and caressing her young calf – she really is our dolphin ‘supermum!’

“It’s been a very hot summer in the Moray Firth and our team have been out on our boat since May monitoring Muddy and the other dolphins. Moonshine, now in her second year, has almost doubled in size 36 muDDy & HEr caLvEs | AUTUMN 2018

since we last saw the calf back in October 2017. The mother-calf pair are still closely bonded, even though the youngster would have been weaned at just over six months of age. The bond between mother and calf is perhaps the strongest of all bonds in dolphin society and is fascinating to see.

“Around the world, bottlenose dolphins are highly social mammals, spending most of their time in the company of other dolphins.

An advantage to this is companionship, but even day-to-day tasks like finding and catching fish prey, spotting potential predators such as sharks, and ‘babysitting’ new calves are all much easier in a school. As a high-ranking female in the Moray Firth

Muddy’s fin, with Moonshine behind

MORAY FIRTH NORTH SEA SCOTLAND

© CRRU

PROTECTING DOLPHINS

population, Muddy enjoys the co-support of many other females within the group. As Moonshine grows older, the calf (whose gender is yet to be confirmed – we are not sure if the calf is a boy or a girl) will become more adventurous and spend more of its time with other young dolphins. On reaching puberty, young males typically leave the group to join others, whilst females may stay with their mothers and friends.

“But social life in bottlenose society is not all sweetness and light. ‘Hierarchies of dominance’ exist and subordinate animals are reminded of their place. Underwater sounds and body language are all used to express social status, but disputes over

The dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales in Moray Firth are monitored by the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CRRU), a Scottish charity. They also operate a marine mammal rescue ambulance and boat to save stranded dolphins and seals. The Moray Firth is a haven for wildlife, but is disturbed by exploration for oil and gas, and increasing development such as new marinas, which mean a lot more boats. So education to the significance of this area is another important part of CRRU’s work.

females or access to food can even become physical at times. Our research team actually uses tooth marks and scarring to help identify individuals! But, thanks to your fantastic support, our scientists can continue to protect dolphins in northeast Scottish waters and learn more about their fascinating and complex behaviour.”

By Dr Liz Greengrass Head of Conservation AUTUMN 2018 | muDDy & HEr caLvEs 37

THE TURTLE FAMILY

By Dr Liz Greengrass Head of Conservation

Your turtles’ story Mafia Island is a 48km long tropical island with white sandy beaches, perfect for turtle nests. Mafia and its neighbouring Juani Island provide feeding habitat for five species of marine turtles, including your family of green turtles. Plus, green and hawksbill turtles nest on Mafia’s beaches each year. Since 2001, Born Free has supported Sea Sense as they work with local people on Mafia and throughout Tanzania to study and protect these rare animals.

38 TurTLE FamILy | AUTUMN 2018

Latest news on The Turtle Family I’ve just received a wonderful report from the Director of Sea Sense, Lindsey West. One of your adopted green turtles has been on the move – and her migration routes in the Indian Ocean are very interesting!

“During the peak nesting season in April and May each year, Sea Sense Conservation Officers patrol beaches every night to count and tag nesting green turtles as part of an annual population census – we want to know

MAFIA ISLAND TANZANIA, INDIAN OCEAN

how many turtles there are. The team is always excited to report sightings of female turtles that they have seen in previous years – they return to the same beaches to lay their eggs in the sand. This year was no exception when they encountered a female turtle that has contributed a lot to our understanding of green turtle nesting behaviour in Tanzania.

“But that wasn’t the end of the story. Two years later she nested again in Mafia, so the Sea Sense team attached a second satellite tag. We were surprised to see she returned to the same foraging ground, using the exact same route! Scientists have proven that sea turtles return to their natal beaches (where they first hatched) to lay their own eggs, but Sunday became the first green turtle in Tanzania to provide evidence of ‘fidelity’ to migratory routes and foraging grounds too.

“Although we didn’t tag her again this year, we are fairly sure we know where she went after she had finished nesting! Thank you for all you do to support this fascinating work – protecting and learning more about these ancient marine reptiles.”

© Sea Sense

“This famous turtle is known as ‘Sunday’. In 2012, Sunday became the first green turtle in Mafia Island to be tracked during a postnesting migration to her foraging ground to feed on sea grass. Using satellite technology and putting a harmless ‘tag’ on her shell, the Sea Sense team followed her journey with much anticipation. Sea turtles are known to undertake long migrations, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins. Where would she go? Kenya? South Africa? Australia? She turned out to be much less adventurous than that and migrated to a foraging ground just 120km (75 miles) away!

amazing sunday returns to the sea with her 2nd satellite tag

PREHISTORIC REPTILES Green turtles are ancient, mysterious ocean-living reptiles, unchanged for 200 million years. The only vegetarian marine turtle, they are hunted for eggs and meat, and to make soup.

Populations take years to recover, as turtles are slow to reproduce, not maturing until 30 years of age. Females lay hundreds of eggs in the sand, but only one in a thousand survives to adulthood. Slow and cumbersome on land, in the sea they are fast and streamlined swimmers. Due to overexploitation, disturbance of nesting beaches, and pollution of the sea they are today among the world’s most vulnerable animals.

AUTUMN 2018 | TurTLE FamILy 39

THE HYENA FAMILY

By Maggie Balaska Animal Rescue & Care Manager

Screamer lets Uwerri eat his food

Latest news on The Hyena Family

fortunately, each of them has a unique tear pattern in their ears, which makes identifying them at a distance a little easier for our team!

The rains have been coming thick and fast at Ensessa Kotteh. There has been hail too, sometimes the size of golf balls, which not surprisingly sends everyone into hiding! But in general your hyenas are some of the few animals that don’t seem to mind the rainy season. In fact, they are generally more active during the cooler temperatures and show great delight rolling around in muddy puddles. They became covered head to toe in mud and all the same colour. But

Tigeste (‘Patience’) the alpha female in the group – rescued from a lonely life in a terrible zoo – has continued to grow calmer. It is so good to see her much more relaxed in the presence of the animal care team now. The team were even able to fix some minor drainage issues at the base of the hyena enclosure without causing her to panic. At one point, Tigeste showed some interest in what was going on, but still kept her distance. She didn’t come too close to

40 HyENa FamILy | AUTUMN 2018

inspect the work until it was complete and the team had moved away.

Uwerri, our sweet blind boy, rescued at the same time as Tigeste, has been cheekily stealing meat scraps from two of the other males in the group. Luckily, Screamer and Matama seem happy to share with him. All the hyenas have been enjoying some extra bones recently. We give these periodically to the hyenas in addition to their regular diet.

Just as hyenas would in the wild – when they are busy chewing on the bones it helps to reduce plaque build-up on teeth – helping keep gums and teeth healthy.

Plans to adapt and change the enclosure previously used for some of our rescued cheetah are underway. Unfortunately, the rainy season means there are limitations to what construction work can be done at the moment, as the heavy downpours could wash everything away! But as soon as the rainy season comes to an end the work will then continue to make the enclosure ready for your hyena family to move in.

Our alpha female Tigeste

ENSESSA KOTTEH RESCUE CENTRE ETHIOPIA Their story In March 2013 Born Free rescued a tiny bear-like cub, just six weeks old and weighing 3kg.

‘Matama’ was the very fIrst hyena our wildlife charity had ever rescued and needed three-hourly bottle-feeds of milk. Today he is fully grown and at the heart of our family of rescued spotted hyenas. Each has a sad background, but with loving care their lives have transformed.

HYENAS IN THE WILD Unique meat-eaters and mainly nocturnal, hyenas are in a group of animals all by themselves. Spotted hyenas live in large close-knit families, with a clear hierarchy dominated by females. Also called ‘laughing hyenas’, they whoop, squeal, giggle and laugh! Known as scavengers, they actually hunt 95% of their food, including zebra and antelope. Sadly they are under threat as humans use their habitats to plant more crops, kill hyenas to protect livestock, and steal cubs to sell as ‘magic charms’ or pets. Numbers are declining but not yet endangered, they total up to 47,000.

AUTUMN 2018 | HyENa FamILy 41

© A Harrington

THE WEB VALLEY WOLVES

The wolves’ story The Web Valley wolves are a population of rare Ethiopian wolves who live high in the plateaux of the Ethiopian highlands.

They consist of several family packs, each led by an ‘alpha’ male and female. Their home is the Web Valley of the beautiful Bale Mountains, 3,500m above sea level, where temperatures may range from freezing -15°C nights and scorching 25°C days.

42 WEb vaLLEy WOLvEs | AUTUMN 2018

Latest news on The Web valley Wolves I was delighted to receive this report from my colleague Eric Bedin, Field Director of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP). “For the second consecutive year, news from our Web Valley wolves is good.

The Web Valley lies in Bale Mountains National Park, between majestic cliffs and peaks at an average of 3,500m above sea level. Rich flat grassland, this valley is cut in

BALE MOUNTAINS ETHIOPIA the middle by the Web River. Web Valley offer optimal habitat for the wolves with high prey density - grass rats and giant mole rats - and numerous places to den.

“Last year’s breeding season from September to December was excellent, with more than 25 pups born to the seven monitored packs. Thankfully their survival was high. Currently around 70 adult and sub-adult wolves are found in the valley. It is fantastic to see that the Web Valley wolf population has nearly bounced back to its level three years ago. Rabies vaccinations have prevented this population suffering from a disease outbreak, despite it being detected in a few domestic dogs. This is a great achievement which EWCP is proud of. Our staff continues to give preventive vaccination to wolf families in other parts of the Bale range.

“The wet season started strongly back in June with heavy rainfall. This can be a difficult time for juvenile wolves - those aged between 6 and 12 months. Prey is less numerous and the youngsters are only

developing their hunting skills. We will let you know how they get on! But we are optimistic there will still be a high number at the end of the rainy season, which should correspond to a good start to the new breeding season.

“The Tarura pack is now split in two subfamilies and they occupy a large area at the eastern opening of the valley. As the number of wolves increases and competition for territory gets more acute, wolves have been observed exploring further down the valley.

This Simbirro grassland is outside the National Park, north of Fincha Habera waterfall. The return of wolves to this land, unoccupied by wolves for more than eight years, is great news for the wolves and our team!”

By Professor claudio sillero EWCP Founder & Director Born Free Chief Scientist

The slender, long-legged Ethiopian wolf with its distinctive red-tinged coat is a close relation of both grey wolves and coyotes. There are only about 500 Ethiopian wolves in the world, threatened by loss of habitat and the spread of lethal diseases carried by domestic dogs. Their last stronghold is high in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains. Every single animal is important and they rely on Born Free and the EWCP* to protect them. *Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme

© T Grobet

WORLD’S RAREST DOG

AUTUMN 2018 | WEb vaLLEy WOLvEs 43

GINNY

With her beloved Delaney (left)

Ginny’s story Beautiful Ginny is a rare moon bear who lives at a wonderful 33 acre bear sanctuary near Chengdu in southwest China. She was rescued from a cruel bear farm where she was painfully ‘milked’ for bile, used in Asian medicine. Named after Born Free Co-Founder Virginia McKenna OBE, Ginny shares a spacious enclosure with several other rescued bears. Together, they explore their lush foliage and bamboo forest, play on wooden climbing frames and relax in a cool pool.

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Latest news on Ginny the moon bear It has been a hot and humid summer for your Ginny. Since waking up from her long winter nap in spring, Ginny has been enjoying life.

She’s been busy foraging for tasty treats, playing with her close friend Delaney and always finding the time to take a good afternoon nap in the shade. Back in spring, Ginny had her regular health check. She was a star - coming into the transport cage without any problems. But being the old wise bear, Ginny was all too aware of the health-check process and it was impossible to distract her enough to give her the anaesthetic jab she needed first. So, to

ANIMALS ASIA’S BEAR SANCTUARY CHINA MEET THE MOON BEAR

By Maggie Balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

prevent any undue stress to Ginny, the expert team decided to use a blow tube and anaesthetic dart, which quickly sent her into a gentle sleep so the team could carry out the range of routine tests.

You’ll be happy to hear that the chest exams showed Ginny is doing well. Her heart is healthy, but she may have slightly high blood pressure, so the team will keep an eye out for this as she might need medication in the future. Now she is getting older, Ginny is also showing some signs of arthritis in her legs.

So she is on medication to reduce the inflammation and take away any pain. After the health check was complete, Ginny was moved into a peaceful area where the team could keep a watchful eye on her as she

© Animals Asia

Bravely off for her health check

Moon bears are inquisitive and opportunistic, adept at exploiting their mountain forest habitat. Named after the crescent of ivory fur on their chests, they are officially known as Asiatic black bears. Moon bears are under threat, due to deforestation and loss of habitat and some 25,000 survive in the wild.

Sadly, they suffer terrible exploitation at human hands. Caught from the wild, thousands of moon bears are kept in cruel bear ‘farms’. Born Free is helping Animals Asia to stop this exploitation and support the rescue of farmed bears. came round from the anaesthetic. She enjoyed a long snooze then the next day was delighted to be reunited with Delaney. She was quickly back to her bossy self – establishing her dominance in the group of rescued bears!

Ginny is special in that she loves the boys but doesn't have any close female companions.

Every afternoon, without fail, she rests right next to Delaney as he sleeps in a leaf covered nest at the back of the enclosure.

She usually just lies beside him but on one occasion was seen gently resting her head on his belly… Thank you for helping us care for this very special bear.

AUTUMN 2018 | GINNy 45

KYRIAKOS Kyriakos’s story Kyriakos shares a spacious forest enclosure with twin brother Manolis and other rescued bears. One of the biggest bears at the sanctuary, his favourite activities are eating and sleeping! Wild-born in northern Greece in January 2004, the brothers were only four months old when their mother was killed.

Kyriakos and manolis when rescued

By maggie balaskas Animal Rescue & Care Manager

Latest news on Kyriakos the brown bear Since waking up from their hibernation back in spring, the bears at Arcturos have been very active and playful in their spacious forest environment. All of the rescued brown bears have impressive appetites and love playing in their pools. This includes your handsome Kyriakos, who is now 14 years old.

When Kyriakos awoke in spring, he had been hibernating for two months, keeping warm in his den. This part of Greece can be surprisingly cold during winter with 46 KyrIaKOs | AUTUMN 2018

temperatures dropping below zero. Since waking, Kyriakos has been having a lot of fun – digging up the soil in the forest and foraging for summer grasses, which he much enjoys eating. You’ll be happy to hear that Kyriakos’s love of food continues! At this time of year he eats around 12kg every day, with a balanced diet of apples, apricots, various vegetables, bread, eggs and fish.

With all the digging and eating, Kyriakos still manages to find plenty of time to relax.

During the hot summer months he kept cool with lots of long lazy baths in his swimming pool. One of the strongest and biggest bears at the sanctuary, Kyriakos has beautiful fur –

COVER STORY

ARCTUROS BEAR SANCTUARY GREECE

CARING FOR BEARS Most of the rescued bears at Arcturos are former dancing bears. Fortunately, this cruel and exploitative ‘entertainment’ is now at an end in Greece – the first country in Europe to ban wild animals in circuses. The sanctuary now also helps return rescued bear cubs to the wild when possible.

Do you remember the tiny bear trio Mollie, Georgia and Louisa? Born Free helped to give them a home at Arcturos back in May 2016, when they were found wandering the streets of Tbilisi, in Georgia, following severe floods. They now live together with Patrick, another young orphan, and seem to love each other’s company. Louisa is the most active and playful, while Mollie and her sister Georgia are more relaxed. Later this year, the Arcturos team will move the four to a new,

bigger enclosure in the main part of the sanctuary. Here, they will meet the older bears, including your Kyriakos and his twin brother Manolis. How exciting! We will report back.

mollie and Georgia.

Haven’t the sisters grown!

AUTUMN 2018 | KyrIaKOs 47

Photos © Arcturos

thick and shiny. Brave and bold, he is independent and content in his own company, but much enjoys interacting with other bears as well.

ADOPT

KING and help look after this little lion!

Help provide food and care for our adorable young lion. Just a cub when kept as a ‘pet’ in a dirty cage, King was half-starved and lonely. But Born Free gave him a new life at our sanctuary in South Africa (p4).

Now will you help look after him?

Just £3 per month

Gift pack and FREE cuddly toy Your adoption will last a year

To adopt call 01403 240170 or visit www.bornfree.org.uk/adopt

© C Radloff/Shamwari

The perfect present for yourself or a loved one - ideal for Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries. With a FREE cuddly toy, personalised gift pack and regular updates, this fantastic present lasts all year!