Have You Heard?

WELL DONE, DR MANOA!

Join The Celebration

To the delight of supporters worldwide, our beloved Co-Founder Virginia McKenna was made a Dame in the UK’s New Year Honours, recognising her devotion to conservation and wild animal welfare. “This award really belongs to all those striving to end wild animal suffering and keep wildlife in the wild,” said Dame Virginia – as humble as ever.

We’re thrilled. Our Kenya colleague David Manoa has just received a PhD for his thesis on human-wildlife conflict. Manoa works full time as our Pride of Amboseli Manager, often in difficult circumstances, so this achievement is colossal. “Huge congratulations, this prestigious accomplishment puts Born Free at the forefront of practical actions to protect wildlife in Kenya,” said a delighted Will Travers.

Born To Roam

Our powerful new report, exposing polar bear suffering in zoos, made headlines in February. In Europe alone, 151 of these wide-ranging apex predators are incarcerated, including 12 in the UK. “The zoo industry must accept polar bears’ welfare needs cannot be met in captivity and bring this practice to an end,” said our Captivity Research Officer Chris Lewis. Read the report at bornfree.org.uk/publications

Chewton Glen Goes Wild

Our spectacular pride of 23 life-size bronze lions, created by artists Gillie and Marc, has a new home prowling the beautiful grounds of Chewton Glen Hotel, in Hampshire. They were unveiled at a launch party in March, hosted by Will Travers and Patron Kirsty Gallacher. Now we encourage everyone to come, to marvel – and maybe even take one home! bornfree.org.uk/born-free-forever