Welcome to Hear The Roar!! From tigers to bears, we’re delving into the world of predators and discovering how their prey try to stay one step ahead.
“Predators are fascinating Chances are your favourite animal is a predator! Many cultures use top predators to represent themselves – in my country of Kenya, we feature two gold lions on our coat of arms to symbolise our country’s strength The lion is the symbol of other countries including the UK and Ethiopia, while South Africa uses a bird of prey, called the secretary bird Even car companies, and sports clubs use predators in their logos - think Puma, Peugeot and even Crocs! I am sure you can think of many others
Unfortunately, predators large and small, face many threats They are kept in zoos and circuses around the world, and sadly kept as pets for our entertainment. People hunt them too, for ‘trophies’ or because of conflict or fear
In this issue we focus on predators and learn why it is vital to protect these powerful and graceful animals, which we all admire so much ”
SPOTLIGHT SPECIES
SPRINGBOK
l Springboks are a species of antelope found across southern and southwestern Africa
l Their name comes from the Afrikaans words spring (‘jump’) and bok (‘antelope’ or ‘goat’)
l Recognised by a dark stripe down their face, males and females both have curved, black horns
l Can reach speeds of 88kmph and turn sharply to escape fast predators such as cheetahs
l Springboks have a hidden pouch along their back, containing a clump of white fur, which they display when excited, or alarmed by a predator.
l Can jump three metres straight up in the air - as high as a basketball hoop!
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
Springboks often jump high into the air –back arched, head down and legs stiffened. This is called ‘pronking’ and experts believe this is how springboks show-off their fitness. They are telling predators “Don’t waste your time, I’m strong enough to escape!” This discourages the predator from chasing them, keeping the springbok safe for another day.
BORN FREE NEWS
MEDICAL MARVEL
Incredibly, great apes use wild plants as medicine! Wild chimps have been seen eating plants with pain-relieving properties to heal themselves, whilst a wild male Sumatran orangutan was documented covering an open wound with medicinal plants he’d chewed into a paste – his wound has now fully healed!
FOREVER HOME
Earlier this year, two leopards, Ginny and Alda, were given a new life at Born Free’s South African sanctuary after being rescued from an illegal breeding facility in Poland. They’re now both thriving in th
MARCHING FOR NATURE
Born Free joined thousands of people, including three of our Youth and Junior Ambassadors, at the Restore Nature Now rally in central London earlier this year. We helped urge political leaders to take action to tackle the UK’s wildlife crisis.
Know-it-owl!
• The UK has five species of owl: barn owl, tawny owl, little owl, long-eared owl and shor t-eared owl.
• Owls can rotate their necks up to 270 degrees.
• A group of owls is called a parliament.
• Not all owls hunt at night, some prefer to hunt at dusk, or even during the day!
Our Rescue and Care Coordinator, Tarnya, tells us how even predatory animals need a helping hand.
These two barn owlets were found alone on a barn floor in West Sussex. Just seven-weeks-old and with no sign of their parents, it was clear the owlets needed help, so were taken to our friends at Folly Wildlife Rescue, Kent. In the wild, owlets rely on food from their parents for up to three months. Thankfully, once reared and recovered, the owl siblings were successfully returned to the wild.
Please seek expert advice if you find an orphaned or injured wild animal.
PREDATOR
Predators and their prey are locked in a constant battle to survive. One needs to eat, while the other tries to avoid being eaten! This means predators and prey are constantly trying to outsmart each other. Species can even adapt over generations, becoming stronger or swifter. Some even stick close to others of their species to stay safe.
Predators and their prey are locked in a constant battle to survive. One needs to eat, while the other tries to avoid being eaten! This means predators and prey are constantly trying to outsmart each other. Species can even adapt over generations, becoming stronger or swifter. Some even stick close to others of their species to stay safe.
CHITAL DEER
Prey speed: 65km per hour specialskills: Always alert. Eyes on the side of their head means nearly360 degrees of vision, allowing them to look for predators even when grazing.
TIGER
ator
ed: 64km per hour
ial skills: dibly stealthy. Can silently up to within ten metres of rey to launch an attack.
LANGUR
rey
eed: <50km per hour specialskills: Excellent climber. Has a special call when they spot a tiger , warning their whole troop of approaching danger.
VS PREY
EYE EYE SPY SPY
To us, a tiger moving through grass might seem obvious - their orange fur sticks out amongst the green foliage. Believe it or not, this is the perfect camouflage. A tiger’s favourite prey, the chital deer, cannot see the colour orange. To them, the tiger’s orange fur looks green!
Langurs on the other hand have very good colour vision. Chital deer have learnt to hang around langurs, who are more likely to spot a tiger and sound the alarm. This gives the deer a much better chance of escaping.
Imagine you are a chital deer. Can you spot the tigers hidden in the grass?
have you watched disney’s The Lion King ? Can you remember the hyenas, lurking in the shadows – cast as the bad guys? But this frightful reputation is far from the truth!
With their chattering laughter and hunched body, people may find hyenas intimidating or even frightening Some consider them pests, but hyenas are simply misunderstood.
Hyenas are vital to keep their habitats healthy –they are par t of ‘nature’s clean-up crew’. Their incredibly powerful jaws crush bones left by lions and leopards Hyenas will happily eat rotten meat and whilst this sounds gruesome, it means animal carcasses are removed from the environment, helping prevent the spread of disease.
Despite their impor tance, hyenas are under threat –people kill hyenas to protect their cattle and sheep
To protect hyenas, we need to help people protect livestock In Kenya, Born Free helps local communities build ‘Predator-Proof Bomas’. These reinforced enclosures protect livestock overnight – so people don’t need to worry about their animals, and hyenas are left alone.
DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?
Known as scavengers, hyenas are actually very successful predators. They hunt most of the food they eat!
What do you need to make a Predator-Proof Boma?
• Chain-link fence
• Posts
• Door with hinge
Remember to bury the fencing deep into the ground as hyenas are fantastic diggers! You’ll protect livestock, so hyenas are no longer a threat.
Hyenas are not cruel, unclean, or ugly –they are a vital part of the landscape and deserve the same respect and appreciation given to lions, leopards and cheetahs. Don’t you agree?
Cat?WHO’S THAT
Did you know? There are 41 species of wild cat in the world – all are highly accomplished predators. Some are instantly recognisable, whilst others might be tricker to identify. Use our cat ID quiz to work out who is who!
DOES THE CAT HAVE ROSETTE MARKINGS? DOES THE CAT HAVE SPOTS INSIDE ITS ROSETTE MARKINGS? DOES THE CAT HAVE MARKINGS LIKE TEARS RUNNING DOWN ITS FACE? YES
JAGUAR
Population: Unknown Conservation status: Near Threatened Shoulder height: 81cm
Fact: Loves the water and are very strong swimmers.
Fact: The world’s fastest animal, reaching speeds up to 120km per hour
SERVAL
RRos os
Population: Unknown Conservation status: Least Concern Shoulder height: 66cm
Fact: These smaller cats mostly hunt rodents –eating around 4,000 a year!
SPOTS
CATS Counting Counting SPOTS
Countingwild catsis challenging!Manyliveindense forests or roam overlarge areas – this can make protectingthemharder as wedon’tknow exactlyhow many there are.
Population: Unknown
Conservation status:
Critically Endangered (UK)
Shoulder height: 25cm
Fact: The UK’s only wildcat with small populations in Scotland, nicknamed the Highland tiger!
Fact: A single tiger’s territory can be the size of 4,000 football pitches CARACAL
Population: Unknown
Conservation status: Least Concern Shoulder height: 40cm
Fact: At just 50cm high, they can jump three metres in the air to catch birds mid-flight
Population: 23,000
Conservation status: Vulnerable
Shoulder height: 107cm
Fact: Lions are the only big cats who live and hunt in family groups, or prides
PREDATORS… LOST! PREDATORS… LOST!
the UK used to be home to large predators including lynx, wolves, and brown bears. y e s, r e a l ly!
Wolves only disappeared in the past few hundred years – hunted out of existence by humans.
Wolves only disappeared in the past few hundred years – hunted out of existence by humans. the UK used to be home to large predators including lynx, wolves, and brown bears. y e s, r e a l ly!
This loss of large predators has had a big impact on the UK’s natural landscapes. The number of deer, a favourite prey animal, has grown enormously. Deer love eating young trees and fresh shoots, so their increased numbers results in fewer trees or shrubs growing. This means less habitat, shelter and food for other animals.
The loss of our large predators is one reason the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world! Nature is in trouble here, with 41% of our plant and animal species declining over the past 50 years. Reintroducing animals including predators, could restore and rewild our natural landscapes and give other wild species a helping hand.
Wouldn’t it bedangerous?
It can be tricky living alongside large predators, but millions of people around the world already do so safely – attacks on people are incredibly rare. You’re more likely to be injured by a pet dog than a wild wolf or bear.
SUCCESS STORY
Previously hunted to extinction, the white-tailed sea eagle is now back! The UK’s largest bird of prey with a two metre wingspan feasts on fish and birds as well as scavenging dead animals, which helps stop diseases spreading.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Would you like to see more predators return to our shores?
“I have adopted Born free lions and one of my dreams is to volunteer in helping endangered animals.”
Arabella, aged 6
Arabella loves wildlife, especially lions! Rather han gifts for her bir thday, he asked for donations to Born Free, to help lions. Her fundraiser raised over £240 and she’s planning more fundraising to help wild animals.
Have you held a fundraiser or helped raise awareness about wildlife in need? Tell us what you or your school have been up to for wildlife. Send your stories and pictures to education@bornfree.org.uk (please ask your parent, guardian or teacher before getting in touch). For fundraising ideas visit: www.bornfree.org.uk/education-fundraising
“We are so proud to help Born free’s amazing work for pangolins. this of our third year of raising money, and awareness, to save the pangolin and our biggest challenge yet! Climbing Ben Nevis was lots of fun, although it was absolutely freezing at the top and very misty.”
Conservation Club member Florence knows the impor tance of protecting a really impor tant habitat – soil. She teaches her community to farm and garden in a more environmentally friendly way.
Heroes Wildlife Heroes Wildlife
We spoke to conservation biologist Claudio Sillero, a Professor at the University of Oxford. He’s also founder of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) that works to protect one of the rarest carnivores in the world.
Tell us about your work with Ethiopian wolves I began studying Ethiopian wolves in the 1980’s.
With Born Free’s suppor t, I star ted EWCP, getting to know these amazing animals by studying them on horseback
Tell us about the wolves
They thrive in the mountain meadows of Ethiopia With long limbs and noses, they are excellent hunters, catching mole rats, hares and hyrax.
What threats do Ethiopian wolves face?
The changing climate, pressure from farming and diseases like rabies, which is spread by domestic dogs. There are only 500 Ethiopian wolves left, making them rarer than the giant panda, and Africa’s most endangered carnivore.
How does EWCP protect the wolves?
For many years we have been protecting the wolves from rabies by vaccinating dogs and wolves, as well as working with local shepherds Born Free suppor ted our work for nearly 30 years and there is much work still to be done.
Without Claudio and the amazing EWCP team, Ethiopian wolves could have disappeared forever. Their work is making a huge difference for the wolves – now that’s heroic!
AMBASSADOR COLUMN
Born Free Junior Ambassador, Leo, tells us all about rewilding – and how you can get involved too!
“What is rewilding? It’s about returning our land and oceans to a more natural – or wilder – state, by letting nature do its thing, or reintroducing plants or animals to an area An amazing example is the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park, USA The wolves helped attract new animal species, increased vegetation, even improved the rivers!
“I have my own version of rewilding – making seedballs using native seeds. I throw these around my neighbourhood to rewild my local park, train station and school. Rewilding can help nature and our community at the same time. Nature should be accessible to everyone because it helps us breathe clean air, it makes us feel good If you think your area should have more nature, star t by planting seeds like me Soon enough, your hard work will pay off – you’ll see birds, bees and butterflies in your community ”
Watch Leo’s Rewild rap by searching for Leo’s Animal Planet on YouTube.
faCts Fantastic Fantastic
LITTLE and larGe
Predators come in all shapes and sizes. Big or small, they are all effective hunters!
Three
-toed sengi: up to
280grams
Sengi, also known as the elephant shrew, protec t themselves from larger predators by creating a net work of tidy t rails. They regularly clean and memorise these t rails, so if ambushed by a predator, they can get away quickly.
Nile crocodile: up to 750kg
The largest crocodile in Africa may be cold-blooded, but they’re great parents! Females continuously guard their nest for three months and males stay close by to see off any animal looking to steal the eggs.
Least weasel: up to 195grams
The UK’s smallest car nivore needs to eat at least a third of its body weight each day to sur vive. They’re per fec tly adapted to hunt both day and night to find enough food.
European Badger: up to 12kg
Despite being the UK’s largest predator, a badger’s favourite prey is ear thwor ms! In fac t , ear thwor ms make up around 80% of their diet .
Quiztime
WHAT IS THE NAME OF A SPRINGBOK’S UNIQUE JUMP?
A) Plodding
B) Prancing
C) Pronking
HYENAS MOSTLY EAT…
A) …dead animals
B) …animals they ’ve hunted themselves
C) plants
WHICH PREDATORS DIDN’T USED TO LIVE IN THE UK?
A) Lynx
B) Tigers
C) Wolves
WHAT IS A GROUP OF OWLS CALLED?
A) A parliament
B) A wise
C) A hoot
SUPER SENGI !! SUPER SENGI !!
WHICH WILD CAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE UK?
A) European wildcat
B) Caracal
C) Lion
WHY DO HERBIVORES HAVE EYES ON THE SIDES OF THEIR HEADS?
A) To judge distances better
B) To see different colours more clearly
C) To look out for predators when grazing
Sengis are super little predators, but their size means they’re prey for much larger predators. Can you work out which is the right trail for the sengi to get back to safety?
And finally...
And finally...
…Discover 40 ways to help wild animals!
Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to wildlife, even in the UK.
Why don’t you go wild and make space for nature in your school grounds? Build a bug hotel, put up feeders for garden birds and even create your own bat box!
Ask your teacher to help your class sign up, by searching ‘40 ways’ on Born Free’s website.
