HEAR THE ROAR ISSUE 5

AUTUMN 2021

• I S IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE? Discover some of our seasonal visitors

• V ULTURES: VILE OR VITAL? Which vulture are you?

• F EED THE BIRDS Make your own garden bird feeder Plus, all the latest Born Free news!

ISSUE 5

E M O C L E W Welcome to Hear the Roar!! rywhere! Insects, plants, birds, “Take a look outside, nature’s eve listen to – birds singing, insects animals, it’s beautiful to look at and d a world without nature... We nee buzzing, animals calling. Imagine and to sustain our planet. We it for spreading seeds, pollination everything we can to protect it. must all look after the wild and do my garden were caring for each “This summer a family of birds in er t of eggs warm and safe, the fath other – the mother keeping a nes iting to see the chicks!” bringing food to her, it was so exc ior Ambassador

Hector Bateman, Born Free’s Jun

. Thanks Hector all about our feathered friends In this exciting issue let’s learn your doorstep?

What wildlife can YOU spot on for setting the scene so vividly.

S T N E T N O C

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3

Species Spotlight

13

Vultures: Vile Or Vital?

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Born Free News

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Wildlife Hero

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Tarnya’s Corner

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Quiz Time

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The Positive Power Of Pollination

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Roar For Nature

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Is It A Bird? Is It A Plane?

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Hope Springs Eternal

10

Feed The Birds

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Competition Time - Best Bird Buffet

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Paws For Thought

Words In Words How many words can you find using the letters in this colourful bird’s name?

Rainbow lorikeet

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT GREY CROWNED CRANE (Balearica regulorum)

and southern Africa’s wetlands Grey crowned cranes are found in eastern and grasslands. s, insects and even small frogs • They are omnivores, eating grass, seed and lizards. ialised feathers – so their ‘hairstyle’ • Their head ’crown’ is made of stiff, spec is always looking good! three miles away.

• Their low ‘honking’ sound can be heard They perform a special dance and • A pair of cranes stay together for life. e equivalent of a hug! preen each other’s neck feathers – the cran there is hope… Find out how our Grey crowned cranes are endangered, but page 14. on ies Wildlife Hero helps this incredible spec

•

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BORN FREE NEWS LOCKDOWN HERO Six-year-old Aneeshwar Kuncha la won top prize in the 2021 Animal Star Awards in reco gnition of his efforts to raise awareness about wildlife protection.

GRIN AND

BEAR IT

© OBRC

cue Centre team The dedicated Orphan Bear Res d trip to rescue embarked on a sixteen-hour roun Tisha and three six-week old cubs - Bantik, e!

Ostap. It was worth the long driv

© georgelogan.co.uk

SOMETHING TO TRUMPET ABOUT! Africa’s elephants are now reco gnised as two species – the savannah and the forest elep hant. This is great news and helps ensure greater protection for both species!

SAVING MERU’S GIANTS

From Circus to Sanctuary

Remember Angela, Bellone, Louga, and Saïda, rescued from a circus? Born Free has been raising funds and these lucky lions will soon travel to their forever home in South Africa!

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o.uk

© georgelogan.c

oject Born Free’s new pr ects ot pr in Meru, Kenya, and rare ts savannah elephan in their reticulated giraffes ’re helping natural habitat. We to live safely local communities autiful, but alongside these be s, giants. sometime hazardou

1.

OUR RESCUE AND CARE COORDINATOR, TARNYA KNIGHT, WAS BUSY LOOKING AFTER ALL SORTS OF WILDLIFE OVER THE SUMMER!

What am I ?

“Here are just a few of the birds that I have cared for over the last few months. Are you able to identify them?

2.

3.

What am I ?

4.

What am I ?

What am I ?

“If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, please keep any bird feeding stations and water bowls clean.

This is important all year but especially during spring and summer as the adults are rearing young and this prevents unwanted bacteria being passed on.

5.

“Found an injured or orphaned bird? If not in immediate danger, please contact your local wildlife rescue centre for advice before you intervene.”

DID YOU KNOW:

What am I ?

HOUSE SPARROW NUMBERS

HAVE DECLINED GREATLY IN THE UK, BUT YO U CAN HELP THESE SOCIAL BIRDS BY INS TALLING COMMUNAL NEST BOXES. TH EY CAN HANG OUT WITH THEIR BIRD BESTIE S IN THESE SPECIAL TERRACED BIRDHOU SES!

AND THE WINNER IS. . .

Find out who won our Youth Wildlife Filmmaker and Photograph of the Year competition on Page 18.

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Answers: 1 blackbird, 2 jay, 3 robin, 4 wood pigeon and collared dove, 5 starling.

E V I T I S O P THE

F O R E POW

N O I T A N I L POL Pollination is how plants reproduce, creating

fruits and seeds.

d, or animals known as Many plants need help to pollinate, from the win s to bats, these animals pollinators; from bumblebees to moths and bird transfer pollen from flower to flower. pollinate Pollination is important for people too! Insects 3/4 of all crops grown by humans -wow!

Wasps Wonderful

Heroic Hoverflies

a wasps are reputation, d ey a th b a re e a it ly n Desp d! Not o n ie fr st ests, e b l o ey contr p gardener’s tors, but th a n ps. lli ro o c p r t u n d on o excelle cts that fee se in n o g n preyi

Hoverflies are cleverly disguised to look like bees and wasps. These guys don’t sting though!

Pollen is transferred between flowers as they hoover up sweet nectar.

Marvellous Moths Pollination doesn’t just happen during the day.

Every night, moths emerge to pollinate flowers and crops.

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Amazing pollinators - lik e all insects, animals and plants need a stable environme nt and climate to survive .

Ho wever, this relationship works bo th ways; our climate need s all insects, animals and plant s to help limit the damagin g effects of climate change. Biodiv ersity and our climate go hand in hand, to protect one you must protect the other.

HOPE In November 2021, Glasgow will host an important UN Climate Change Conference. The Conference is in its 26th year and is known as CoP26.

• Back in 2015, in Paris, world leaders committed to tackle climate change, and ensure our global temperature does not rise too much (less than 2°C more than it was 250 years ago).

• This meeting is a chance for the Parties* to make a good plan for the future. *Countries working together to tackle climate change.

“CoP26 must be a global gathering that gives a voice to the next generation.

You can play a key role in bringing change that will protect the future of the natural world.

“We have left young people with a monumental challenge, but your energy, enthusiasm and ideas can help solve the climate emergency.”

Dominic Dyer, Born Free

SIX SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT POLLINATORS: 1. Grow pollinator friendly plants in your garden, window box or at school.

2. Encourage people to stop using pesticides - these can hurt pollinating insects too.

3. Stop mowing - by cutting your grass less, more insects and wildflowers can thrive.

4. Create a mini wildlife pond.

5. Ask your local council to rewild road verges and plant them with wild flowers.

6. Write to your MP and tell them how important CoP26 is to you (visit writetothem.com).

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BARN

SWALLOW

Glossy dark blue upper feathers

Have you seen so me of these seasonal visitors soaring through the skie s near you?

It can be tricky w orking out who’s who so he re’s a handy ID guide to three common summer visitors.

Red patch on chin

Forked tail with long streamers

HAVE A SWOOPING FLIGHT PATH, AND ARE OFTEN SEEN FLYING LOW OVER FIELDS OR WATER, WHERE THERE ARE PLENTY OF INSECTS TO EAT. THEY SOMETIMES LAND ON TELEPHONE WIRES OR GATHER MUD FOR THEIR NESTS ON THE GROUND.

Off-white belly

COMMON

VISITS THE UK LATE MARCH TO OCTOBER

Crescent-shaped wings

SWIFT

VISITS THE UK LATE APRIL TO SEPTEMBER

OFTEN GLIDE HIGH IN THE AIR, AND RARELY FLAP THEIR WINGS. NEVER SEEN ON THE GROUND, THEY CAN CLING TO CLIFFS OR THE SIDE OF BUILDINGS. THEIR SHRILL CALL SOUNDS LIKE A ‘SCREAM’!

Short, forked tail 8

I

D N A L RE

White patch on chin Sooty brown body

The UK is a favourite summer destination for a huge number of bird species, who travel each year to feed and raise their chicks. Some birds travel up to 14,000 miles, all the way from Africa to the UK and back again. That’s one of the world’s longest animal migrations!

HOUSE

LAND SSCCOOTTLAND

MARTIN Shorter wings than swifts and swallows Glossy dark blue upper feathers Pure white front

VISITS THE UK MIDAPRIL TO OCTOBER

Short tail, with shallow fork

FOUND FLYING AROUND TOWNS AND VILLAGES, NESTING IN COLONIES ON THE OUTSIDE OF HOUSES.

A GLLA EENNG

NND D

SS

LLEE A WWA

DID YOU KNOW:

N’T LAND AT ALL COMMON SWIFTS DO S! THEY EAT, DRINK DURING THEIR TRAVEL YING. AND SLEEP WHILST FL

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PINE CONE FEEDERS ARE A SIMPLE AND FUN WAY OF MAKING A BIRD FEEDER. YOU WILL NEED:

A pine cone

Some string

INGREDIENTS:

Bird seed

Raisins

Suet or lard

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE:

DID YOU KNOW:

FOOD SHORTAGES, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER, CAN MEAN SOME GARDEN BIR DS STRUGGLE TO FIND ENOUGH FOOD TO SU RVIVE. MAKING BIRD FEEDERS CAN HELP THEM GET THROUGH THESE TOUGH TIM ES.

1.

Mix together all the ingredients so it makes a big sticky mess. It might be a good idea to wear gloves!

2.

Pack the sticky bird mix into every nook and cranny of the pine cone.

3.

Put it in the fridge for at least an hour to set.

4. Tie a piece of string to the top of your pine cone.

5.

Hang your pine cone feeder outside and watch the birds come flocking!

MAKING BIRD FEEDERS WILL ENCOURAGE MORE BIRDS TO VISIT YOUR LOCAL AREA, BUT DON’T FORGET TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER FOR DRINKING AND BATHING TOO Enjoyed this activity? Download more fun, nature-based activities at www.bornfree.org.uk/teaching-resources and click on Environmental Club.

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PAWS FOR THOUGHT With colourful feathers and personalities, it’s easy to see why people love parrots. But should they be kept as pets?

African grey parrots are particularly popular pets.

Sadly, this comes at a cost. Not only can captivity impact their welfare but the illegal pet trade has led to this species becoming endangered and even extinct in some parts of Africa.

Thankfully, people are working to help this beautiful, intelligent, sociable bird. Born Free proudly supports Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, whose devoted team rescues African grey parrots from illegal trade.

Their team has now released over 3,000 grey parrots back to the wild, where they belong.

Do you eat a lot of fruit?

YES

NO

THE PALM-NUT VULTURE

Population: Unknown Conservation Status: Least Concern Unusually, feeds mainly on fruits of the oil palm!

Only a couple of generations from wild birds, even captive-bred grey parrots do not make good pets.

What can you do?

• Choose to never keep an exotic bird, such as a parrot, macaw or parakeet, as a pet.

• Tell others about the illegal pet trade so they can make informed choices.

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HIMALAYAN GRIFFON VULTURE

Population: Up to 334,000 Conservation Status: Near Threatened Known for hissing and grunting when feeding.

These large carnivorous birds are scavengers and eat the dead remains of other animals. This might sound disgusting, but they are nature’s cleaners, helping keep the environment healthy for other animals.

Many vulture species are at risk of extinction due to hunting, poisoning and habitat destruction. Born Free’s conservation programmes help protect vulture habitat in Kenya.

QUIZ: WHICH VULTURE ARE YOU? Would you like to live in the Americas?

NO

Do you like wearing bright colours?

YES

NO

YES KING VULTURE

Do you prefer cold weather?

YES

NO

RÜPPELL’S GRIFFON VULTURE

Do you like spending time in a big group?

YES

CALIFORNIAN CONDOR

Population: Up to 22,000 Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Population: 93 Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The world’s highest-flying bird can be found flying at the same height as aeroplanes (11,000 metres!).

North America’s largest flying bird. In 1982, there were 22 condors in existence, but they’re now making a comeback!

NO

Population: Up to 6,700 Conservation Status: Least Concern Their colourful head and neck distinguishes them from other vultures.

ANDEAN CONDOR

Population: Up to 6,700 Conservation Status: Vulnerable Largest of all vultures, can live up to 70 years old!

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e f i l d l Wi

o r e H

GREY CROWNED CRANES ARE AN AMAZING SPECIES WITH LONG LEGS, GREY BODIES AND WHITE WINGS WITH BROWN AND GOLD FEATHERS. THEY ARE BEST KNOWN FOR THE STIFF GOLDEN FEATHERS FORMING A CROWN AROUND THEIR HEADS! Dr Olivier Nsengimana is a dedicated, young vet, who realised grey crowned cranes were suffering in captivity throughout Rwanda, Africa. Birds were often stressed, hungry and had their wings broken to prevent them from flying. Meanwhile, only 300 cranes were left in the wild in Rwanda, threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

Olivier started the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) to protect grey crowned cranes. “I told myself someone has got to do something about it! I wanted to protect this species and make sure they are there for generations to come.”

In 2020, Born Free awarded Olivier the McKenna-Travers Award for Compassionate Conservation.

Gre

y

d e n Crow s e n Cra

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© RWCA

Since Olivier started RWCA, his team have rescued every single grey crowned crane from captivity and 170 of these have been returned to the wild! Their future looks much brighter, with over 800 wild cranes in Rwanda today.

1

z i u Q time WHAT SHAPE DOES A COMMON SWIFT’S WINGS RESEMBLE?

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A. Semi-circle B. Disk C. Crescent

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WHICH OF THESE IS A NEWLY RECOGNISED SPECIES OF ELEPHANT? A. African forest elephant B. African mountain elephant C. African wetlands elephant

HINT:

ALL QUIZ ANSWER S CAN BE FOUND IN THIS MAGAZINE

INSECTS POLLINATE PLANTS. . .

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A. …only during daytime B. …during day and night-time C. …only when the sun is shining

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BARN SWALLOWS MIGRATE TO AND FROM WHICH CONTINENT EVERY YEAR? A. Asia B. Africa C. Antarctica

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HOW HIGH CAN A RÜPPELL’S GRIFFON VULTURE FLY? A. 8,000 meters B. 11,000 meters C. 14,000 meters

WHICH TYPE OF ANIMAL DISGUISES THEMSELVES AS A BEE OR WASP? A. Earthworm B. Crayfish C. Hoverfly

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R ROA E R U T A N FOR

Ross, age nine, sent us his amazing Animal Rescue Story.

Here is a little taste: “The lion stepped out of the crate into its large enclosure.

After years of imprisonment the lion felt grass under his feet, the warm sun on his back and dust in his coat as he rolled. The old lion lifted his head and saw open space with trees and bushes while he listened to crickets in the grass and the soft call of lions nearby”.

Four-year-old Alex, who’d like to be a vet when she grows up, ran or walked 1km every day in January to raise money for Born Free. She even did litter picking along the way. What a trooper! Alex absolutely loves giraffes and rhinos.

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Martha, aged six, has created a pride rock scene out of recycled materials with a cave for lions to sleep in, trees for giraffes to feed on, plus a waterfall and all species-friendly watering hole.

Well done Martha!

Ever wanted to climb Mount Everest? Well 11-yearold Olivia did just that during lockdown! “Mount Everest is 8,849m high and our stairs are 2.6m high so to do it in one go I’d have to climb them 3,403 times!” So Olivia did the challenge over a month climbing her stairs 110 times a day, raising an amazing £666 for Born Free.

WHAT A SUPERSTAR! Ellie has been extremely busy working to protect wildlife, both in Australia where she lives, and abroad! Ellie successfully campaigned to ban plastic drinking straws at her school, got to the finals in a public speaking competition for her speech on climate action and requested donations towards a Born Free adoption instead of birthday presents two years in a row. As well as this Ellie regularly volunteers at a local wildlife centre, and has helped release a rainbow lorikeet back to the wild!

For these amazing achievements, Ellie has been made a Born Free Superstar. Roar-some work!

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 17

WINNERS:

The four overall

Thea, aged 9

and under – film Farming for Nature, 11 The judges were very impressed with Thea’s film, which explored how we can make farming more nature-friendly. Her message “No one can do everything but everyone can do something” will stay with us.

Sara, aged 16 Spring Into Life, 16 and under – film Following the story of a family of mallards through the spring, Sara’s film was well executed and edited, with beautiful imagery, music, and a clear focus.

Enjoy the films and photos at: www.bornfree.org.uk/kids-competition.

1818

Our first ever Youth Wildlife Filmmaker and Photographer of the Year competition had some amazing entries.

So much talent – thanks everyone who took part.

Harry, aged 8 Magical Moths and Butterfly Hea ven, 11 and under - photo story The judges loved the choice of insects, and specifically butterflies and moths. Henry showed a great diversity of species all living in their natural habitats.

Hattie, aged 16

d under – photo story Swan Therapy, 16 an important issue: how Hattie focussed on an e helps our mental spending time in natur a beautiful swan, and health. She focused on tic, to achieve a therapeu used black and white r images. calming feel through he

N O I T I T E P M O C TIME

BEST BIRD BUFFET We hope the brilliant birds around the world have inspired you. Now you can get closer to birds living outside your own back door!

Invent your own interesting bird feeder with your family or class and send us images of it in your garden or school playground.

• Try to use natural or recycled materials • Different birds enjoy different seeds, so look these up and then encourage a range of species to visit you!

The winning bird feeder will feature in our next magazine and will win a Born Free adoption of your choice.

Deadline: October 31st 2021 For your chance to win email your entries to: education@bornfree.org.uk

Terms and Conditions • • • • • •

School class entries must be made by a member of school staff on behalf of the class or group Individual entries must have parent or guardian’s permission to enter Please include a full name/class name, age/year group and postal address with your entry First names and ages will appear alongside winning entries, unless requested otherwise We will only use personal data for the purposes of the competition and in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

For details visit: www.bornfree.org.uk/privacy-policy

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. – C 2. – B 3. – B 4. – A 5. – B 6. – C

Crescent ht-time …during day and nig 11,000 meters ant African forest eleph Africa Hoverfly

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© georgelogan.co.uk

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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.