My Adopt Magazine - Autumn 2023 by BornFree

AUTUMN 2023

ALL THE LATEST ON YOUR ADOPTED ANIMAL

CONTENTS BE AN ECO-WARRIOR! Like to do even more? To help save the planet, please go green and get this magazine by email. A digital mag is no print, no post, low carbon and max support for your adopted animal! To opt in just email info@bornfree.org.uk or call 01403 240170. Cover image © Orangutan Foundation

The Leopard Family

Kyriakos the Brown Bear

The Brown Bear Orphans

The Cheetah Family

The Giraffe Family

Timtom the Orangutan

King the Lion

Parly the Moon Bear

Springer the Orca

The Jaguar Family

Chinoise the Chimpanzee

Sara the Chimpanzee

Gopal the Tiger

Elsa’s Pride

The Elephant Family

The Ethiopian Wolf Family

The Pangolin Family

The Gorilla Family

The Rhino Family

Meet our Team

THANK YOU FOR ADOPTING! It fills me with joy to read these adoption updates and I hope you feel the same. This magazine might be small but, it’s mighty – full of genuine, life-changing action for wild animals. And it’s all thanks to YOU. Thanks to your adoption, Born Free is able to provide expert loving care for rescued individuals in need. But that’s just for starters. You also support the protection of rare and threatened wildlife in the wild.

Here at Born Free, we’re a family – a global family – of people like you, people who care. Who want to make a difference. Thanks to you, my heart leaps with hope! Together, let’s make the world a kinder, safer place for wildlife, one animal at a time.

Will Travers OBE Executive President @bornfreefoundation WELCOME TO BORN FREE! bornfreefoundation

Thanks to people like you, our charity is devoted to wild animal care and conservation. Together, we make the world a kinder, better place. Like to get even more involved in our Born Free family? Visit bornfree.org.uk and join us on social media:

bornfreefoundation bornfreefoundation bornfreefdn bornfreefoundation bornfreefoundation

@bornfreefdn

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 captive populations, plus sanctuary space is in short supply, so we keep these precious spaces for animals most needing rescue.

BORN FREE’S SANCTUARY SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE SOUTH AFRICA

THEIR STORY Home today: Lifetime care in their own spacious bush enclosures Background: Sami rescued as a cub from the Sudanese desert in 2001, Mowgli and Zeiss from a South African zoo in 2020 Age today: Sami is 22, Mowgli five and Zeiss nine

THE LEOPARD FAMILY

LATEST NEWS Zeiss, rescued from Bloemfontein Zoo, amazes us. I have seen a massive transformation since he arrived – from elusive and timid, to confident in broad daylight. Thanks to you, we are building a ‘jungle gym’ to give him a vantage point. He is fascinated by his neighbours King and Thea (p10). Plus, I’m sure he’ll use the wooden frame to sharpen his claws and perfect climbing skills!

23 new ‘predator-proof boma’ enclosures, plus 192 new flashing ‘deterrent lights’ help keep livestock safe in Kenya, so local people can live alongside leopards and lions without conflict.

Beautiful Mowgli

@ Lyndon Brandt

YOU PROTECT WILD LEOPARDS TOO!

Beautiful Mowgli is also doing well. He is very private, so we keep a watchful eye using camera traps. It is unthinkable to imagine what he endured at Bloemfontein Zoo. So, we understand it might take years to build up a relationship. Knowing he is safe with us, surrounded by beautiful sounds and smells, plus good food and care, makes me feel good! It is winter here now and has been very cold with temperatures as low as 8°C. During our morning fence checks we saw Mowgli tiptoeing out of his night house. I was sorry to have disturbed him but, so thrilled to get a real-life glimpse! It still feels like yesterday when I met our dear Sami, arriving in the middle of winter as a young cub. As you can see (main pic) he looks good and, although slowing down in his retirement years and doesn’t climb much, he still strolls around, marking his territory!

Glen Vena Animal Care Manager bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

ORPHAN BEAR RESCUE CENTRE RUSSIA

THEIR STORY Home today: Rehabilitated at this rescue centre based in thick woodland, halfway between Moscow and St Petersburg and given a second chance of life in the wild Background: Rescued, often as helpless newborns in critical condition, when separated from their mothers due to logging, human conflict and illegal hunting Arrival at sanctuary: Usually from January until early summer each year Age on arrival: From a few days to a few months old

THE BROWN BEAR ORPHANS 6

THE BROWN BEAR ORPHANS

LATEST NEWS With your support, we are currently raising, caring for and preparing 15 orphan bears for release. We want to give them back the chance of a wild life – sadly taken from them when just weeks old. Due to timings of their arrival, they are being raised in three groups – one of 10, one of three and one of two. After a few weeks, cubs form strong group relations and will not accept newcomers. So, for every cub’s best interest, we made a couple of smaller groups. Already, our young bears do not look like cubs any longer, they are now teenagers! With disproportionately long legs and big ears, their shedding fur sticks out in tatters. Soon, by early autumn, they will look like real young adult brown bears.

HOW TO RESCUE AN ORPHAN With the help of adopters, rescued bear cubs undergo an incredible journey. At first these fragile orphans need round the clock care and regul ar milk bottle feeds. But, by three months, they can devour porridge and eggs for themselves and human contact is reduced. They move to a forest enclosure and begin to forage for berries and grass es, supplemented by fruit and veg. They enjoy roots and insect larvae, building up fat reserves ready to hibernate. By autumn, aged 10 months, they are ready for release.

With the ongoing situation in Russia, our support of this wonderful project faces some challenges. With your help, we’ll continue to do our very best and will keep you updated.

We know all of our bears as individuals and they certainly have their own personalities. Some are leaders, some are active and do not sit for a minute. Others, such as Vologosha, are cheerful and perky while some, like Tolstoon, prefer time alone, digging in a swamp, or picking at a log. However, all are very playful, and even Tolstoon will not miss the chance to play with the others. Thank you for giving them their second chance of life in the wild.

Katya Pazhetnova Wildlife Biologist & Centre Specialist Orphan Bear Rescue Centre bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

MERU NATIONAL PARK KENYA

THEIR STORY Home: Kenya is a vital home for rare, reticulated giraffes and Born Free is in action to save them Family: Around 1,400 live in Meru Background: Just 16,000 wild reticulated giraffe remain, a 56% decline in 30 years

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THE GIRAFFE FAMILY

LATEST NEWS Reticulated giraffes are beautiful and intelligent, with a complex communication system involving vocalisations, body language, and even infrasound (sounds below the range of human hearing). Moreover, we watch them displaying emotions such as joy and sadness. Meru’s giraffes live in shifting herds of up to 30 members. Individuals leave in search of food or water, and others join – known as ‘fissionfusion’. Some groups are balanced with males and females, while others are all male or all female, but reticulated giraffes do not appear to be territorial. We recently witnessed a new mother giraffe, who appeared ecstatic after giving birth. The newborn played and ran around her legs, then approached our vehicle with curiosity. Giraffes touch our hearts and souls with their personalities, which makes us passionate to protect them! Unfortunately, they face a serious threat from poachers who set wire snares to trap them for meat and skin. These cause severe injuries, infections and can even kill giraffes and other wildlife. This is why our Twiga* Team works hard to find and destroy snares. However, poachers do not give up easily and the rate of snare replacement is high.

SAVING GIRAFFES

In the last year, we identified 230 of Meru’s giraffes by their unique coat patterns, adding each one to our ID database. Meanwhile, our Twiga Team covered 321 miles during 121 foot patrols and removed 667 deadly snares.

Like you, we believe every animal has the right to live free from exploitation. By adopting our Giraffe Family, you make a difference. Thank you for your generosity.

Francis Kago Project Officer, Saving Meru’s Giants, Born Free *Twiga means giraffe in Swahili

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

LATEST NEWS It has been winter here in South Africa and the coolest time of year, with temperatures dipping to as low as 8°C at night. So, your magnificent lion King has been adjusting his daily routines to make the most of the daytime heat – which rises to around 22°C. As the sun rises, King positions himself on the top of a platform or his jungle gym and basks in the warming rays. However, as the temperatures drop in the evening and overnight, King retreats to the warmth of his indoor night house. As sociable animals, in the wild a pride of lions will huddle together to keep warm at night. It is fascinating to see this is a behaviour we are currently witnessing between King and his affectionate companion Thea. One habit King has not changed in this cooler weather is his early morning roaring. King’s majestic roar reverberates around the sanctuary, and the hills and valleys of Shamwari, at the start of each day. This seems to be a way of saying good morning to his fellow rescued big cats and making sure he establishes his territory and let’s everyone know he’s still the Lion King! It is such a wonderful rich sound to hear and every day I am waiting for it expectantly.

Martin Miritiawo Animal Care Supervisor

KING THE LION

HOW MANY LIONS? Since we began, Born Free has rescued 56 lions from lives of suffering in zoos, circuses and the pet trade. With your help we currently provide loving, expert care for life for 27 lions, at four sanctuaries, costing over £200,000.

KING’S STORY Home today: Lifetime care in a spacious enclosure with companion Thea Background: Rescued from illegal pet trade in France, 2017 Arrived at Shamwari: July 2018

BORN FREE’S SANCTUARY SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE SOUTH AFRICA

@ Lyndon Brandt

Age today: Six years

BUT two more lions are about to join our pride! Rescued in Ukraine, we’re raising funds to give these young brothers a home at Shamwari. Find out more: bornfree.org.uk/ukraine-lion-appeal

@ Natuurhulpcentrum

MEET TSAR & JAMIL

HANSON ISLAND JOHNSTONE STRAIT CANADA

SPRINGER’S STORY Home: Living wild as part of British Columbia’s northern resident population monitored by OrcaLab, which has studied orca since 1970 and has been supported by Born Free since 1994 Family: 23-year-old Springer gave birth to Spirit in 2013 and Storm in 2017 Background: In 2002, Springer’s mother Sutlej died and she became lost near Seattle, USA. Identified by her unique calls, she was taken 250 miles by boat back to her wild family, the A4 pod, near OrcaLab

SPRINGER THE ORCA

LATEST NEWS This year your adopted orca is the North Coast girl! Springer has comfortably been swimming with her small family in the waters of British Columbia’s northern coast. We have been following the reports of her activity since June. As the salmon begin their migration back to their natal rivers, the north coast shows the first signs of this annual ritual. The orcas soon follow…

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite being called ‘killer whales’, orca are the largest species of dolphin. Sadly, at least 55 are held captive including Corky, captured in 1969 aged four from her wild family, Canada’s A5 pod, and held in a tank in SeaWorld, San Diego, USA. None of her seven, captive-born calves survived. Imagine how Corky and all captive orca suffer! OrcaLab’s campaign to Free Corky continues. Please pledge never to visit a captive marine park.

How wonderful it must be for this fisheating resident orca community to go from the challenges of winter to the ease and plenty of summer? This year, Springer’s favoured food, the Chinook salmon, has returned in numbers not seen for several years. Perhaps not surprisingly, the normal orca get togethers further south in the Johnstone Strait area, where OrcaLab is located, have been put on hold. Springer’s immediate task is to make sure her two young ones, Spirit and Storm, are well fed. Other families from their community, also in search of good food, have joined them so, Springer and her family have plenty of opportunities for socialising and time-off for play and relaxation. Life is good at the moment, why go anywhere else?!

Helena Symonds and Dr Paul Spong Co-Directors, OrcaLab

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

LIMBE WILDLIFE CENTRE CAMEROON

CHINOISE’S STORY Home today: Lifetime care with a rescued chimp community in an expansive enclosure filled with climbing structures and stimulating enrichment Background: Wild-born, her mother was killed by poachers when she was just weeks old and she was sold as a pet to a Chinese restaurant Rescued: January 2014 aged nine months Age today: Ten years

CHINOISE THE CHIMPANZEE

YOU HELP BORN FREE PROTECT WILD CHIMPS IN:

• Cameroon • Guinea Bissau • Uganda Thank you!

LATEST NEWS Chimpanzees in Cameroon are a ‘Class A’ species – protected by law, so taking them from the wild or killing them is illegal. However, chimpanzee bushmeat and orphans are still on sale here – despite our ongoing efforts. Hunting and human encroachment into their habitat means it’s not yet possible to release chimpanzees back into the wild in Cameroon. However, rescued orphans get the best possible lifelong care and we plan to create a field site with semi-wild, spacious forested enclosures. Your adoption of Chinoise helps fulfil her daily needs, including the varied diet she enjoys each day, plus daily vitamins and enrichment (such as tasty treats squeezed into bamboo tubes). We recently renovated her enclosure with new climbing structures and a repaired pool – a huge hit, especially during the hot, dry season. It has been transitioning into the wet season but, Chinoise can still be seen playfully splashing her companions. Jojo still follows Chinoise around everywhere, and we are sure we will soon see them mud-wrestling!

HOW MANY CHIMPS?

AFRICA HAS FOUR SUB-SPECIES: • Central – estimated 140,000 chimps • Eastern – as few as 181,000-256,000 • Western – as few as 18,000 • Nigeria-Cameroon – as few as 6,000

Chinoise’s ginger-brown fur is quite unusual and certainly makes her stand out amongst the others with their black fur. She also has wonderful freckles across her face and is so beautiful – what a pleasure to see her flourish, thanks to your support!

Laura Praill Fundraising & Communications Manager Limbe Wildlife Centre

All sub-species = Endangered, except Western = Critically Endangered bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

BANNERGHATTA TIGER SANCTUARY INDIA

GOPAL’S STORY Home today: Lifetime care in a spacious forest enclosure Background: Born in the wild but captured when he came into conflict with people by preying on cattle and goats Arrived at sanctuary: 2014 Age today: 14

GOPAL THE TIGER

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LATEST NEWS Gopal is as majestic as ever. Although now considered a senior tiger, he is not slowing down in his activity and antics. Gopal spends his time roaming through his large outdoor space, exploring the thick vegetation and tall trees, then bathing in his purpose-built pool. Gopal’s natural instincts remain strong, and he practises and hones his hunting skills at every chance. Occasionally, wild peacocks or egrets descend into his outdoor space. Gopal hides behind the dense vegetation and stalks the unsuspecting birds. His efforts, however, are unsuccessful and the startled birds take off squawking in annoyance at his ambush attempts, while Gopal retreats into vegetation and awaits his next opportunity. Thank you for helping provide the enriched care for life this wonderful tiger deserves.

@ Wildlife S0S

Sandhi Priya Deputy Director, Corporate & Philanthropic Partnership, Wildlife SOS

178% INDIA

HOW MANY TIGERS? India is now home to 3,925 tigers, more than 2½ times the 1,411 recorded when our conservation work began there in 2004. India now has 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.

“Thanks to your loyal support, Born Free has funded all Gopal’s care since he arrived at the sanctuary. He has been diligently cared for by the expert team from Wildlife SOS, who oversee the sanctuary’s day-to-day management. To our delight, Wildlife SOS has now kindly agreed to jointly share the costs of Gopal’s care and all of us at Born Free are incredibly grateful.”

Maggie Balaskas Head of Rescue & Care, Born Free bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK AMBOSELI KENYA NATIONAL PARK KENYA

THEIR STORY Home: Wild in Amboseli, a 150 square mile park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro Family: Dozens of members including sub-group led by Edwina (born in 1982), granddaughter to Echo, the matriarch star of BBC’s Echo of the Elephants Background: Amboseli is renowned for its 1,300 elephant population, studied by Amboseli Trust for Elephants since 1972, supported by Born Free since 1992

THE ELEPHANT FAMILY

LATEST NEWS Your adopted family faced significant challenges earlier this year due to the drought in the Horn of Africa. The scarcity of nutritious food during droughts can lead to loss of life, especially among the oldest and youngest elephants. However, the situation has seen an improvement, thanks to good rains in April and May. The rains revitalised vegetation and the elephants exhibited voracious appetites. Their trunks scooped up mouthfuls of food, grass spilling out as they chewed. They quickly regained body condition, which brought us immense joy. Several females gave birth – elephants find it easier to carry pregnancies through periods of limited resources than to breastfeed a calf. We have observed new additions to your EB family. Edwina’s mother Enid and aunt Eliot returned with their portion of the family – including Edwina’s aunt Ebony who has had a male calf. Edwina’s own section of the family are enjoying life in the swamp and are in good health, and her own daughter Elana has a new female calf. Our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support. Your contributions made a significant impact on the lives of Amboseli’s elephants. We are truly grateful.

Tal Manor Project Manager, Amboseli Trust for Elephants

100% KENYA

ELEPHANTS ON THE UP

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

@ ATE

Today, Africa has less than 415,000 wild elephants, over a 90% decline in 100 years. But, in Kenya, elephants have doubled from 16,000 in 1989 – the year our elephant conservation work began – to over 36,000 today.

SANGHA PANGOLIN PROJECT CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

THEIR STORY Home today: The tropical forests of southwest Central African Republic, close to the Sangha river Background: Orphaned and injured pangolins are rescued and treated within a small hospital funded by Born Free Rescued: Since 2013, more than 100 pangolins have been cared for and released, monitored by local Ba’aka tribespeople. Sangha Pangolin Project is also devoted to education and conservation

THE PANGOLIN FAMILY

LATEST NEWS Nicknamed Epika by his carers and renamed Nguindolo (‘king of the forest spirit’) in a Born Free poll, the rehabilitation back to the wild of this orphan white-bellied pangolin continues to go well. He was regularly waking in the early evening, foraging in nearby forest guarded by his Ba’aka carers, returning to his nest box before midnight, before another early morning outing, then returning to his box at dawn to sleep the day. During these outings he foraged for his own ants and termites, with the Ba’aka carers supplementing his feed if required.

Happily, a few weeks later, Nguindolo was ‘captured’ on a video camera trap, foraging on a log. Since then, he’s been seen on our thermascope camera and again on the camera trap. So, we’re confident he’s successfully returned to the wild, with your help. Just under a year old, he’s grown up in this area so knows the feeding places and dens to sleep in. Thank you for supporting this wonderful, successful rehabilitation work!

Tamar Cassidy Co-Founder & Head of Animal Care Sangha Pangolin Project

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR AN ORPHAN PANGOPUP? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Initially hand rear 24/7 Bottle feed special milk formula Introduce solid food – ant eggs & mealworms Graduate to actual ants (up to 20,000/day!) Reduce human contact, introduce daily forest walks Encourage tree-climbing & increase time in forest Return entirely to wild but, monitor daily

Nguindolo caught on camera…

…and on thermoscope

Then one night, Nguindolo’s carer arrived at his sleeping box to find he had ventured out alone. Despite checking his box regularly and searching areas he was known to visit, no sightings were made. We had to assume he was now independent but, it was an anxious time.

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

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THE RHINO FAMILY

MERU NATIONAL PARK KENYA

LATEST NEWS

ANIMALS ASIA’S BEAR RESCUE CENTRE TAM DAO, VIETNAM

As Parly adopters already know, we are making some changes to our adoption programme, and will no longer adopt this wonderful moon bear. Born Free has supported our dear Animals Asia friends since 2006. We are so delighted to see this fantastic organisation develop and grow over the years.

PARLY’S STORY

Moving forward, we will be prioritising animals most needing our support and where your kind donations make the most difference. Don’t worry – Parly is still flourishing, thanks to his adopters over the years, and will continue to be cared for by Animals Asia at their sanctuary in Vietnam.

Home today: Lifetime care, with almost 150 rescued bears, in grassy, tree-filled enclosures with climbing frames, hammocks and bathing pools, plus sleeping dens Background: Confiscated from an illegal wildlife trader in central Vietnam having, no doubt, been wild-caught to be sold to a cruel bear bile farm

Born Free adopters have a long history of adopting Animals Asia moon bears. From 2008, adopters helped care for much-loved Ginny, rescued from the tortures of a bile farm in 2000. Named in honour of our Co-Founder Dame Virginia McKenna, Ginny had 18 blissful years at Animals Asia’s Chengdu sanctuary in China.

Arrived at sanctuary: December 2012 Age today: 12

Between 2018–2021, adopters then supported Bodo at the Chengdu sanctuary. Rescued in 2003, another victim of the cruel bile farms, peacemaker Bodo was incredibly sociable and also enjoyed 18 years of sanctuary life. Finally, we supported irresistible Parly, who current adopters know and love. Our thanks to all of you adopters, for helping change the lives of Parly and countless other animals around the world.

Bodo

Dr Andrea Donaldson Rescue & Care Officer Born Free

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

YUNGAS FOREST ARGENTINA

THEIR STORY Home: Wild in a band of forest along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, in north west Argentina Family: There are thought to be no more than 250 adult jaguars in Argentina, with up to 150 living in the Yungas Background: With Born Free’s help, Jaguars in the Fringe works to reduce threats, stop poaching and encourage expansion of the jaguars’ range

THE JAGUAR FAMILY

THANK YOU! To help stop jaguars attacking cattle and co-exist with local people, in the last year your adoption has contributed towards: • 10 enclosures to protect 637 cows • 75 noisy cowbells • 255 odour collars* *These special collars use mothballs to deter jaguars!!

Queñua

LATEST NEWS Meet ‘Queñua’, a female jaguar who lives in Calilegua National Park. This majestic feline lives in the cloud forests and her name refers to a tree species from the highland areas of the Yungas. Queñua was recently identified after several recorded ‘captures’ on our camera traps, placed in different parts of the park. A young female in good health, she likes to walk in remote parts of the park, but also uses trails frequently used by tourists and hikers. This encourages us to think that, with good management strategies, it is possible to reconcile tourism and recreation with these beautiful large carnivores, enabling coexistence between people and jaguars.

We also have recorded her on journeys crossing rivers, roads, and even sugarcane fields. We will keep monitoring the area in the hope we see her with cubs soon. The preservation of this species is essential to maintain the health of the neotropical forests of Argentina. Since jaguars are ‘apex predators’ at the top of their food chain, their presence ensures a healthy ecosystem, not least as they help regulate prey species abundance.

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Thank you for helping protect and study jaguars. This work is carried out by researchers, students, volunteers, government agencies and Jaguars in the Fringe, and contributes to the protection of the jaguar and their habitat.

Juan Reppucci Researcher, Jaguars in the Fringe bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

LATEST NEWS Your adopted chimpanzee is now a young adult, estimated to be born in 2009 and confiscated from Juba in South Sudan, from an illegal wildlife trader. Probably due to this past, Sara can be wary of her human caregivers – despite them lavishing her with care! 34

SARA THE CHIMPANZEE

Sara continues to be in good shape, passing her recent health check with flying colours. Under the watchful eye of adopted mum Connie, Sara’s rank in the community continues to be high, despite several disagreements with other chimpanzees, especially the female Kyewunyo. Sara has a strong personality as you know.

Sara (left) with Billi, Themba and Ruparelia

NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY UGANDA

SARA’S STORY Home today: Lifetime care with 51 other rescued chimps amidst 100 acres of rainforest in this island sanctuary in Lake Victoria Background: Sara was rescued in South Sudan and was due to be sold as a pet Rescued: 2012 aged three years Age today: 14 years

25 YEARS OF RESCUE

Happy Birthday Ngamba Island! This wonderful sanctuary was established in 1998 by Born Free, together with chimp expert Dr Jane Goodall and five other wildlife groups. Today, it has become one of the world’s leading primate sanctuaries and is also devoted to wild chimp conservation and community education. Just like a chimpanzee in the wild, Sara makes a nest by lacing together tree branches, then sleeps overnight in the forest, rather than returning to the night houses. However, she always wakes up early enough to make it back to the feeding zone for breakfast, rather than foraging for food in the vast forest.

At feeding, clever Sara often positions herself close to her friend Eazy. As a young, low-ranking male, Eazy is happy to share his food with her without dispute. Conversely, Sara dislikes being near Kyewunyo and is often observed squabbling with her over food – but we ensure both get plenty! As her adopter, you support Sara’s food, vet care and enrichment – thank you.

Innocent Ampeire Assistant Sanctuary Manager, Chimpanzee Trust bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

MERU NATIONAL PARK KENYA

THEIR STORY Home: Living wild in Meru, 220 miles northeast of Nairobi Family: Six adult females, six sub-adults, plus cubs Background: One of Meru’s oldest lion families, named after the lioness star of Born Free, returned to the wild by George and Joy Adamson in 1958

ELSA’S PRIDE

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LATEST NEWS Well-known in Meru, your pride’s territory is in the centre of the park and includes Elsa’s Kopje – where Lion Man George Adamson had his camp, as well as Mugwangho plains, Mugwangho swamp and Rojawero plains. Over the last year, your pride has increased in numbers from 18 to 26, with the birth of several cubs, thus becoming Meru’s largest pride – fantastic news. Last year, the pride experienced a takeover when Mfalme, previous alpha male and father to several in the pride including Cheri, Hunter, Jira, ResQ, Kiara, Queen and Kamili, was overthrown by a coalition of the young brothers, King and General. During the takeover, Mfalme’s cubs separated from the pride and have now formed a sub-group. Our Pride of Meru team then sighted six members of Elsa’s Pride along Kubai road – Mulika Pride’s main territory. They noticed Cheri had a serious head injury, possibly due to an interaction with the Mulikas. We called the Kenya Wildlife Service vet, and Cheri was darted, treated and released to rejoin her group. We will monitor Cheri to ensure she makes a quick recovery. Thank you for funding this life-saving work!

25% KENYA

HOW MANY LIONS? But in Kenya lions are up 25% to over 2,500 since 2010, when our lion conservation work began there. This includes 73 adults in Meru and 20 cubs born in the last year!

Today, as few as 20,000 wild lions remain, a 90% decline since ‘Born Free’ was filmed 59 years ago.

Alois Mweu Project Officer, Pride of Meru Born Free Kenya

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

BALE MOUNTAINS ETHIOPIA

THEIR STORY Home: Living wild in the plateaux of the Afroalpine highlands, 3,500m above sea level Family: Several close-knit packs, each led by an alpha male and female

Background: Slender, longlegged and red-tinged, closely related to grey wolves but, hunt alone, preying mainly on molerats and grass rats

THE ETHIOPIAN WOLF FAMILY

LATEST NEWS With the help of funding from adopters, our colleagues in Ethiopia are now using modern technology to track these rare wolves. The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme are deploying GPS collars, in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains. After Bale Mountains, the spectacular Simien Mountains – in the north of the country and including Ethiopia’s highest point, Ras Dejen – are home to the second most important population of Ethiopian wolves. The Simien Mountains are a World Heritage Site and the inspiration behind the wolves’ scientific name, Canis simensis.

THE FOX-LIKE WOLF

Although sometimes called the Simien fox, the Ethiopian wolf is actually more closely related to the grey wolf and coyote, than the red fox!

Ethiopian wolf

Grey wolf

Compared to wolves in Bale, which are diurnal (active during the day) and relatively easy to find, Simien wolves are notoriously shy and difficult to observe. Interestingly, these wolves don’t reproduce as well as those in Bale: litter sizes are always small — seldom more than three pups — and several packs do not produce a litter each year. Wolf numbers therefore remain small. In addition, some areas in Simien Mountains withstood several months of human conflict until recently, which may have had an impact on the wolves. To find out more, and after obtaining approval from the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, EWCP has launched a GPS collaring study of the wolves in Simien Mountains. We will report back with news on this exciting new venture!

Professor Claudio Sillero Founder Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme Coyote

Red fox

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

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THE GORILLA FAMILY

KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

THEIR STORY Home: Living wild in the mountain rainforests of a vast 2,300mi2 park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Family: A large family of females and offspring, defended by Bonane, a mighty young silverback male Background: Since 2000 Born Free has supported a team of rangers who risk their lives to keep these gorillas safe from poachers

FAREWELL CHIMANUKA We are sad to report our muchloved old silverback has not been sighted for many, many months, and must conclude he has died. Although hard, it is natural for young, fit individuals to replace older gorillas. Chimanuka had a good life and sired many offspring, including Bonane, now head of his own family. Thank you for helping save your species, Chimanuka!

LATEST NEWS Born on 1st January 2003, Bonane is one of Chimanuka’s sons – his name means happy new year! Over the years, he has become a dominant male and established his own group. Today, this family is the only one to be fully ‘habituated’ (used to human presence) in the park, although several other groups are undergoing this process*. Bonane is unusual for a silverback, in that he accepted twins into his group who were fathered by another male, called Mpungwe. Bonane took them with their mother during an interaction with Mpungwe’s group in 2022. Sometimes in this situation, the new silverback will kill any baby gorillas so the mother comes into oestrus and he can mate with her. But, interestingly, Bonane has formed a strong relationship with the twins and become a protective foster father. Bonane’s group has undergone several changes and interactions with other gorilla groups in the park this year. These include a couple of incidences with Uhuru’s group in which Bonane lost two females to Uhuru and one of his other females – Nkami – was observed with a slightly wounded arm. On a happier note, Bonane’s female Mukono gave birth to a baby, and then a solitary female appeared and was accepted into the group – increasing your adopted family to eleven individuals.

Sarah Brook Programme Manager Kahuzi-Biega National Park *A habituated family is good for encouraging careful tourism – a wonderful source of income for conservation, which doesn’t negatively impact on the gorillas in any way.

bornfree.org.uk | Autumn 2023

WE LOOK AFTER YOUR ADOPTED ANIMALS!

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Giraffe Family

“I am passionate about my work. To keep giraffes safe, our team does a fantastic job, trekking into the Meru landscape in search of indiscriminate snares – which are not easy to find due to thick bushes and tall grass.” Shadrack Kimeu Twiga* Team Supervisor, Born Free Kenya

Elsa’s Pride

“Our team was watching some lion cubs from Elsa’s Pride under an acacia tree, when they noticed one had a deep wound on her head. Thanks to their swift action, Cheri received the care she needed and they’ll keep a careful eye to ensure she fully recovers.” Ivy Malemba Fundraising & Communications Manager, Born Free Kenya

King the lion

“We are happy to see that King and his companion Thea continue to have a solid bond. I often see these youngsters enjoying life together, chasing around, then pushing and pulling each other in a playful manner.” Martin Miritiawo Animal Care Supervisor Shamwari Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa

Elephant Family

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible elephant adopters. Your unwavering support, alongside our cherished collaboration with Born Free since 1992, truly makes a world of difference. Thank you for safeguarding elephants and their remarkable home.” The Amboseli Trust for Elephants team, Kenya

WE LOOK AFTER YOUR ADOPTED ANIMALS!

*Swahili for giraffe

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