WINTER 2020/21
• FROM HOT TO COLD From freezing Arctic ice fields, to scorching deserts
• R AISING CUBS Meet the bear cubs at the Orphan Bear Rescue Centre
• THE POSITIVE POWER OF BIODIVERSITY Plus: Cressida Cowell, award-winning author and illustrator, has created a very special bear portrait activity just for you.
ISSUE 4
e WeLCO
W
ANOTHER EXCITING ISSUE FILLED WITH FACTS, ACTIVITIES AND NEWS ABOUT WILDLIFE. ALONG WITH A VERY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION FROM AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR CRESSIDA COWELL.
“The natural world around you is a brilliant source of inspiration, filled with surprise. One of the major themes in my The Wizards of Once series is the importance of interacting with nature in a wild way, and of looking after the natural world around us. The series is set in a time when humans were clear about their dependence on and their close connection with the natural world.” Cressida Cowell. Enjoy the magazine and don’t forget to let your imagination run wild.
CONTENTS
2
3
Species Spotlight: Mountain Lion
4
News
5
Paws For Thought
16
Quiz Time And Colouring In Fun
6
Roar For Nature
18
Bear Portrait
8
From Hot To Cold
21
The Positive Power Of Biodiversity
10
Bear Facts
22
Interview: Thea Caine
12
Arctic Fox Poster
23
Hope Springs Eternal
14
The Orphan Bears
North Pole 2,000km
Species In The
SPOTLIGHT
• M ountain lions are the largest small cat species, found in North and South America • A lso known as cougars, pumas or panthers, these powerful carnivores hunt deer, racoons and even porcupines
i n a t n u o M Lion
• S uper-fast, with excellent eyesight and hearing, they can swim, climb trees and jump over six metres • U nlike big cats, mountain lions don’t roar. They growl, yowl, hiss and purr instead • T hey were hunted by people and wiped out in much of North America, but thanks to conservation, their numbers are now growing • M ountain lions play a vital ecological role, so by protecting these top predators (sometimes known as umbrella species), countless other species thrive.
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BORN FREE NEWS
E M O ROA R S s
The number of wild lions has increased in Kenya from 2,000 to 2,489.
d Thea King an her g toget relaxin
Great to hear Born Free’s work in Meru and Amboseli National Parks is having an impact.
w e N
KING’S NEW BESTIE! King, the young lion rescued from a flat in Paris and given a home at our big cat sanctuary in South Africa, has been introduced to a young lioness, Thea. The pair are getting along well and spend their time playing or climbing on their jungle gym.
S ’ A Y N R A T Corner
Hello, my name is Tarnya. I’m part of Born Free’s Animal Welfare and Captivity team and am also a volunteer wildlife rescuer. I work with local wildlife rescue centres and vets to help orphaned, abandoned or injured wild animals – so they can return to the wild.
YOUR TASK FOR
WINTER:
leaving rden birds by Please help ga peanuts, foods such as gy er en gh hi out lls. Ensure arts and fat ba n sunflower he are kept clea and feeders bowls, tables e. er is availabl and fresh wat
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A LIFETIME IN LOCKDOWN The coronavirus pandemic has left many of us feeling lonely and frustrated at home during lockdown. We created an animation to compare our experiences with the daily reality for countless captive wild animals.
Bear Cub Update Remember Kuzya and Karel, the bear cubs found orphaned in Russia in January 2019? The brothers spent the summer cared for at a rescue centre and were recently returned to the wild!
PAWS FOR
?
Our sister org anisation, Born Free US A, runs the USA’s largest primate sanc tuary, home to 475 rescued bab oons, macaques an d vervet mon keys.
T H G U THO PROTECTING PRIMATES
DID YOU KNOW
PRIMATES ARE THE GROUP OF MAMMALS THAT CONTAINS ALL LEMURS, MONKEYS AND APES, INCLUDING HUMANS.
AROUND THE WORLD, THOUSANDS OF PRIMATES LIVE IN CAPTIVITY ON DISPLAY IN ZOOS, USED IN LABS FOR ANIMAL TESTING, OR SOLD AS PETS. In the UK alone, hundreds of marmosets, squirrel monkeys, capuchins and lemurs are kept as pets, many illegally. Most were born in captivity, but these animals cannot thrive as pets as they have complex environmental, dietary and social needs. Born Free is opposed to keeping primates as pets worldwide, and proudly support initiatives like the Zambia Primate Project, which rescues, cares for and releases injured, orphaned or illegally kept baboons and vervet moneys back to the wild, where they belong.
MEET JACKIE A young vervet monkey, Jackie was so seriously injured by a speeding car in Zambia, her leg had to be amputated. After specialist treatment, she returned to the wild and recently gave birth to her first baby!
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R ROA E R U T A N FOR
Seven-year-old Oscar has designed a range of greetings cards for friends and family. “I love all animals large and small and like drawing them. My favourites are pangolins, jaguars, tigers, lions, wolves, foxes, bats, sharks, pufferfish, gorillas, snakes and red-eyed tree frogs. I am giving all my card money to Born Free because I know that they also love animals and care for them.�
WI N N ER
e seven-year-old We would also like to congratulat Hear the Roar!! Harriet for her winning entry to the turtle drawing competition.
Leyla. Thank you for this lovely picture
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My name is Hector and I’m 10 years old. I am an actor and a passionate animal advocate, and am very proud to be Born Free’s first Junior Ambassador! Through this role, I want to show adults that children have a voice to be heard and can be taken seriously. I want to show other young people that we can get involved and actively help make a difference to animals in the UK and around the world. © Vanessa Valentine
Six-year-old Finley recently raised over £700 by doing a sponsored bike ride. “I wanted to raise money for wildlife because I saw animals in cages on the TV and that made me sad. The animals should be in the wild where they belong with people looking after them, not hurting them. I want to help more so I am thinking of more challenges to do.”
“I care for our environment, and try to help by teaching others how to live sustainably. It really does affect all of us. My dad and I made a website with lots of weird but useful facts. I sponsor different animals, reuse and recycle goods, and go on litter picks in my local area to help local wildlife. I build bug houses, bird boxes and shelters for local wildlife. At my school, I helped run a hedgehog club. We taught our community how to help care for them during the winter!” Eva, aged 10.
r of the Are you a membe Club? Hear the Roar!! r pe activities, Complete five su stars and fiv collect your e r amazing ou of e on become Super Stars.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to for wildlife. Send your stories and pictures to education@bornfree.org.uk (please ask your parent or guardian before getting in touch). For fundraising ideas visit: www.bornfree.org.uk/education-fundraising
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a k las
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Alaska is the northern most state of the USA, next to Canada
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TORTOISE FOUND IN THE MOJAVE AND SONORAN DESERTS, THE THREATENED DESERT TORTOISE EATS HERBS, GRASSES, CACTI AND WILD FLOWERS.
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3
Wyoming
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AN SPECIES ONCE SOME NORTH AMERIC 1,000 YEARS AGO, LIVED IN THE UK. OVER VES LIVED IN BRITISH BEARS AND GREY WOL HUNTED FORESTS BUT WERE TO EXTINCTION.
DESERT
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DID YOU KNOW?
1
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FROM FREEZING ARCTIC ICE FIELDS AND TOWERING ROCKY MOUNTAINS, TO SCORCHING DESERTS, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA* IS HOME TO WIDELY DIVERSE HABITATS AND SPECIES.
Mo
EFFORTS TO REW ILD AREAS BY RESTORING EC OSYSTEMS HAVE SEEN SPECIES RET URN TO THE UK LIKE THE WHITETAILED EAGLE, WHICH HADN’T B EEN SEEN IN THE UK FOR OVER 10 0 YEARS. WILL WOLVES AND BEA RS ROAM BRITAIN AGAIN O NE DAY?
T
FLIES
2
IN SALTY MONO LAKE, CALIFORNIA, LIVE SMALL FLIES THAT CAN WALK UNDERWATER TO FIND FOOD AND LAY EGGS. THE ALKALI FLY CREATES AN AIR BUBBLE AROUND ITSELF SO IT CAN BREATHE.
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New J ersey
BISON
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BISON, THE LARGEST LAND MAMMAL IN NORTH AMERICA Northarolina AND ONE OF THE FEW LARGE C MAMMALS TO SURVIVE THE ICE South AGE EXTINCTION, DOMINATE VAST Carolin a LANDSCAPES LIKE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. HUNTED ALMOST TO EXTINCTION IN THE 19TH CENTURY, ONLY 23 BISON SURVIVED IN YELLOWSTONE BUT, THANKS TO THE CREATION OF THE WORLD’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK, THE HERD IS NOW 4,000 STRONG.
POLAR
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North Dakota South Dakota
ALKALI
IN NORTHERN CANADA AND ALASKA, POLAR BEARS ARE DECREASING DUE TO LOSS OF SEA ICE, ILLEGAL HUNTING AND CONFLICT WITH PEOPLE. HALTING CLIMATE CHANGE IS KEY TO SAVING THIS SPECIES.
3
*The USA is one of 23 countries found in North America
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There are eight
Bear species
Found in North America,
South America,
Asia and Europe.
POLAR BEAR DESCRIPTION:
r bears Weighing over half a tonne, pola They have s. ivore carn st large are the world’s them warm, a thick layer of fat and fur to keep help them to s paw front bed web ally and parti swim through icy waters
Estimated population: 26,000 ka, Found: Arctic – in Canada, Alas Greenland, Russia and Norway
AR Spectacled BE DESCRIPTION: white or yellow rings of e Named after th ake them eyes, which m eir th nd ou ar r fu es ss gla ing e wear look like they ar
lation: Estimated popu 2,500 – 10,000 America. They Found: South ent’s only bear are the contin
brown BEAR DESCRIPTION:
With shaggy brown fur, this species is found in more places than any other bear with many subspecies including European brown bear, grizzly and the Kodiak
Estimated population : 110,000
Found: North America , Europe and Asia (including Ru ssia)
SLOTH BEAR DESCRIPTION:
This nocturnal long-haired bear has a yellowish snout and v-shaped chest marking on otherwise dark fur. They mostly eat insects, including honeybees and termites, but also fruit
Estimated population: UP TO 20,000
Found: Indian subcontinent
Bears are threatened by Habitat
loss
Conflict with people, the effects of
Climate change and hunting. 10
AMERICAN BLACK BEAR DESCRIPTION:
mon bear species, The world’s most com rt, dark fur and 1.5m in length, with sho a short tail
: Estimated population UP TO 950,000 rth America, Found: Forests of No and including Canada, USA o xic Me north
Moon/Asian Black Be ar DESCRIPTION:
Shaggy black fur with a distinctive yellow crescent across their che st, and large ears
Estimated population : UP TO 61,000
Found: Indian subcon tinent, parts of China, Russia, Korea, Taiwan and Japan
-PIRCSED
SUN BEAR
GIANT PANDA
DESCRIPTION:
DESCRIPTION:
Distinctive black and white markings. They are solitary and mostly eat bamboo
Estimated population: UP TO 1,000 Found: CHINA
Small, shy bears, wit h a golden or white patch on their ches t, that looks like the rising sun
Estimated populatio n: UNKNOWN Found: The dense forests of south east Asia
DID YOU KNOW
?
A Chinese ico n, for many years scientists co uldn’t agree whether pan about das were bear s o r large racoons. Mo lecular stud ie s have proven they are bears! 11
LIVING IN THE ARCTIC TUNDRA, THIS INCREDIBLE SPECIES IS A SMALL MEMBER OF THE CANID FAMILY (ALONG WITH DOGS, WOLVES AND OTHER FOXES). ALTHOUGH BOTH MALES AND FEMALES ARE NO BIGGER THAN A LARGE HOUSE CAT, THEY ARE VERY INTELLIGENT HUNTERS (PREDATORS) BUT WILL ALSO SOMETIMES SCAVENGE LEFTOVERS FROM ANIMALS KILLED BY LARGER CARNIVORES, SUCH AS POLAR BEARS - THEY EVEN BURY FOOD TO KEEP IT FRESH FOR LATER!
CONSERVATION STATUS: LEAST CONCERN
SWEDEN, UNITED STATES
NORWAY, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN,
WEIGHT: 1.4KG - 9.4KG LENGTH: 41CM - 68CM LOCATION: CANADA, FINLAND, GREENLAND, ICELAND,
E WELL ADAPTED ARCTIC FOXES AR CONDITIONS, LD O C Y ER V IN G TO LIVIN ND THICK TAIL AROU R EI H T G IN P P A R W ILE THEY SLEEP H W ES V EL S EM H T ARM. TO KEEP THEM W
? DID YOU KNOW
Vulpes lagopus
Winter 2020
Orphan Bears The
Valentin Pazhetnov Founded The Orphan Bear Rescue Centre, In Russia, In 1995. Nestled in dense forest, 280 miles north west of Moscow, the centre’s amazing team, Sergey, Ekaterina and Vassily, rescue and raise brown bear cubs, preparing them for life back in the wild. Since the centre began, 264 bears have been returned to the wild, many have then gone on to have cubs of their own! Born Free is delighted to support this remarkable work to protect brown bear populations in Russia – one cub at a time.
Orphaned bear cubs usually arrive between January and late April. These babies have often been left by their mothers who were scared away by human activity in the forest.
Only days old when they arrive, the cubs are often in a critical condition – very thin, injured, or suffering from hypothermia (they are too cold).
The team works tirelessly to nurse the cubs back to health before preparing them for life back in the wild.
The bears are released between August and October when they have reached the correct weight and have learnt the skills needed for an independent life back in the forest.
Did You Know? Brown bear cubs weigh just 500g when they are born – about the same as half a bag of sugar. They grow quickly and can reach 45kg by nine months of age. 15
1
4
HOW MANY BISON CURRENTLY LIVE IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK?
WHICH ANIMAL’S HOME IS KNOWN AS A SETT?
A. 40 B. 400 C. 4,000
5
2
HOW MANY YEARS AGO DID BEARS AND GREY WOLVES BECOME EXTINCT IN THE UK?
WHICH IS THE ONLY SPECIES OF BEAR NATIVE TO SOUTH AMERICA?
A. Giant panda B. Spectacled bear C. Moon bear
3 WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE TWO BROWN BEAR CUBS RESCUED IN JANUARY 2019 AND RECENTLY RETURNED TO THE WILD IN RUSSIA? A. Kuzya and Karel B. King and Thea C. Hiccup and Goose
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S P A R S I T Y T L E V I D O I C B T A M V D O M R R A G U O J J C K C E B I S O N N L J G Z I D T F P Y A A R O W S T O N E L L E Y P Z C B R X R I Z K W O M H N M F A G E V F R N L G F U B C O P I O N Z H S U R D A D B C V B T E H R D B A Y L E I S A T E F P C T E H A Q T R S U P R U S R F R E S W V G V O V I N R A V C T R A A B U G N J R W A N U V F T Q E E B V K Q H S L G A E R Z F P M D J R S B C S Y J W E T A M I R Q W P
A. Racoon B. Hedgehog C. Badger
A. Over 1,000 B. Over 2,000 C. Over 3,000
6 WHAT IS THE TERM SOMETIMES USED TO DESCRIBE A TOP PREDATOR, WHICH PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE SURVIVAL OF OTHER SPECIES?
A. Umbrella species B. Wellington species C. Overcoat species
COUGAR CARNIVORE PREDATOR PRIMATES AMERICA YELLOWSTONE BISON POLAR BEAR EAGLE PANDA RUSSIA FOREST BIODIVERSITY WOLVES
g n i r u Colon In u
Fu
HINT:
ALL PUZZLE ANSW ERS CAN BE FOUND IN THIS MAGAZINE
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r a B e trait
Cressida Cowell is the award-winning author and illustrator of the bestselling book series The Wizards of Once and How to Train Your Dragon. She has created this very special bear portrait activity just for you. Follow her steps and create a grizzly cub of your very own.
Step 1
Draw the head, using short pencil strokes to make the bear cub look hairy.
Step 3
Now draw the bear cub’s back legs and tail.
oP r
Step 2
Add in the bear cub’s front legs. Don’t forget the claws!
Cressida Cowell
Cressida grew up on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland and she now lives in London with her husband, three children and dog called Pigeon. Since her first book was published in 1999, she has written and illustrated over 20 titles, selling millions of books worldwide. 18
Step 4
Time to start shading. Use short little pencil strokes to make your bear cub hairy all over.
Step 5
Carry on shading the front legs, paws and back.
Step 6
Finish shading your bear cub’s back legs.
w a r d n a c u o y f i e Se . . . r a e b le tt i l n w your o
Step by step guide (text and illustrations) Š Cressida Cowell, 2020
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the
e v t i s po i of power
ROBIN BALANCING ON A BRANCH, SCANNING THE SKIES FOR PREDATORS
Y T I S R E BIODIV TH O NOR ER T L E V A ND TO TR EST TO WO E V A MAS N’T H FOR WE DO R THE RAIN G WILD DRA ST. MID AZIN ICA O AMER ILDLIFE. AM HERE IN OUR HT AT W CE RIG A L P E TAK
SHREW SCURRYING IN THE UNDERGROWTH TO FIND FOOD BEFORE WINTER
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WHY NOT SPEND A LITTLE TIME GOING ON YOUR OWN GARDEN SA FARI. TAKE A MAGNIFY ING GLASS TO GET A CLOSER LOOK...
WE CAN EVEN LO OK OUT FOR BADGERS WHO M AKE SETTS (BIG BURROWS) IN W OODLANDS AND HEDGEROWS BUT MAY COME INTO GARDENS AT NIG HT FORAGING FOR WORMS AND FRUIT.
ING N KEEP I E L O IT AR PLAYS REA WHERE THS S E I C EA SPE MO EACH AT (TH BEES AND AND T I B A ITS H THY, FROM O BIRDS HEAL AND NTS, T LIVES) ATING PLA ING SEEDS, TO S S N POLLI ALS DISPER WN LEAVE TIVE O M D OSI MAM AKING AT’S THE P E R B S H WORM HE SOIL - T IVERSITY! T VE BIOD IMPRO POWER OF
ORB SPIDER
Y T I S R E V I IB OD
WAITING FOR A FLY TO GET TRAPPED IN HER WEB
NUMBER BIODIVERSITY IS THE THINGS OF DIFFERENT LIVING TS, ANIMALS (FOR EXAMPLE, PLAN IN AN AREA. AND INSECTS) FOUND
BADGER MAKE SETTS (BIG BURROWS) IN WOODLANDS AND HEDGEROWS
SNAIL
GLIDING BY, OVER THE LEAF LITTER
TO MAKE A HOME FOR YOUR WILD FRIENDS, LEAVE PILES OF CUT BRANCHES IN A CORNER OF YOUR GARDEN FOR ANIMALS TO HIDE UNDER, PLANT POLLEN-RICH FLOWERS AND NETTLES FOR BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS, OR INSTALL BIRD AND BAT BOXES. 21
INTERVIEW WIT THEA CAINE H
Hi,
astle, live near Newc nd a d ol rs a ye ight . I’m Thea! I’m e ly love animals te lu so b a I . nd ngla in north east E and art hool are English sc t a ts c je b . My favourite su being creative nd a s ie or st as I love writing l. ready for schoo t ge n e th st a my I have breakf om home, and fr A typical day: s te u in m 10 ning me to school, iends. Each mor fr y My dad walks m nd a e m rt, lsop welcomes h is a mix of a nc teacher Miss A lu r e ft A s. , cy and math l, I walk my dog oo h we study litera sc r e ft A . nds French or PE puter with frie om c y science, singing, m on y a pl omework then lm or go on Dax. I do my h e to watch a fi lik I r, ne in d r e ts, Hiccup Aft cuddle my ca I , e before dinner. m ti d e b t A eep. h my family. m, then go to sl u a bike ride wit m y m h it w s read storie and Goose, and cats but love all types of I . rs ge ti re a le. ammals rn are incredib e tt pa l My favourite m fu ti u a be , strength and their the tiger’s size ry friends. I love e th a fe te ri u my favo Flamingos are bright colour.
BORN FREE
SUPER STAR Thea Caine is Born Free’s very first Super Star by completing our five activities to help wildlife.
JOIN BORN FREE’S HEAR THE ROAR!! CLUB TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BECOMING A SUPER STAR. SEE BORNFREE.ORG.UK/ KIDS-CLUB
DAX
QUIZ ANSWERS:
Question 1 – 4,000; Question 2 – Spectacled bear; Question 3 – Kuzya and Karel; Question 4 – Badger; Question 5 – Over 1,000; Question 6, – Umbrella species.
22
HOPE S G N I R SP L A N R E ET ARE YOU READY FOR A WILD ADVENTURE? Isabelle Groc, award-winning environmental writer, conservation photographer and documentary filmmaker says: “I was nine years old when my parents gave me my first camera. I spent as much time as I could in nature, photographing every living creature I could find close to home in the South of France: ants, robins, frogs and plants. Now, it’s your turn to show us how you experience wildlife and conservation actions on your doorstep. Enter Born Free’s first Youth Wildlife Filmmaker and Photographer of the Year competition!
WITH A CAMERA OR SMARTPHONE, PRODUCE A SHORT FILM (UP TO THREE MINUTES) OR TAKE A SERIES OF UP TO SIX IMAGES THAT TELL NATURE’S STORIES CLOSE TO HOME. FIND INSPIRATION IN THE SKY, YOUR GARDEN, YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, A LOCAL PARK OR POND. Keep an eye on Born Free’s website between February and May 2021 for information on how to enter. We can’t wait to see your entries! 23
BISON, THE LARGEST LAND MAMMAL IN NORTH AMERICA AND ONE OF THE FEW LARGE MAMMALS TO SURVIVE THE ICE AGE EXTINCTION.
BISON CALF Printed on recycled paper
Born Free is an international wildlife charity devoted to wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation. Born Free works to end captive exploitation and Keep Wildlife in the Wild, where it belongs!
Born Free Foundation, 2nd Floor, Frazer House, 14 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1ER www.bornfree.org.uk +44 (0) 1403 240170
General enquiries: info@bornfree.org.uk
Education enquiries: education@bornfree.org.uk
The views expressed in Hear the Roar!! are not necessarily those of Born Free.
