Wild Life - Summer 2022

2022: YEAR OF THE LION

Summer 2022 | bornfree.org.uk

A WARM

Welcome

FROM WILL TRAVERS OBE

They say you can’t get enough of a good thing – so in this our Year of the Lion, this issue of Wild Life is all about the symbol of Born Free.

And it’s personal. Virginia, our pride leader, gives us her unique perspective, embracing the last 38 years of Born Free and more.

The Lions of Lockdown – after a two-year Covidenforced delay – are settling into our sanctuary at Shamwari in South Africa, their forever home. What a triumph!

Of course, while lions are the species of the moment, Wild Life is full of news about the other animals you help us care for, so please enjoy! Be inspired by every pageturning moment. Roar for the animals in 2022!

Our Born Free Forever exhibition – 25 stunning life-size bronze lion sculptures, created by outstanding artists, Gillie and Marc, is now installed in Newcastle (where my late father Bill was born and raised).

Our Forever Lions Fund, designed to help both captive and free-living lions for years to come, has been launched in memory of my Dad (who would have been 100 this year), aided by a stunning £50,000 donation from lion-hearted artist Michael Kitchen-Hurle.

Executive President will@bornfree.org.uk @willtravers

It’s time to celebrate our Year of the Lion. We have some roarsome ways for you to get involved and can’t wait to see you at our Mane Event on Friday 23rd September 2022 in Surrey, UK (see page 12).

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HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST WILD NEWS?

HOW ARE THE LIONS OF LOCKDOWN SETTLING IN?

WILL TRAVERS SHARES HIS FATHER’S VISION

HOW WE MADE THE FILM THAT STARTED IT ALL

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YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH OUR YEAR OF THE LION

SAVING KENYA’S LEGENDARY LIONS IN MEMORY OF ELSA

WHY WOULD ANYONE SHOOT A LION FOR FUN?

HOW IS YOUR ADOPTED ANIMAL GETTING ON?

Have You Heard?

ALL THE LATEST FROM BORN FREE

BORN FREE FOREVER: DON’T MISS IT! Our Year of the Lion got off to a roaring start with the launch of our Born Free Forever exhibition of 25 life-size lions cast in bronze, in London’s Waterloo in January.

Created by world-famous artists Gillie and Marc, each lion has a special affinity with our charity, not least Elsa – our original inspiration.

BUY YOUR OWN BRONZE Our dazzling lion sculptures are on sale from £18,000. To invest in a masterpiece by the se award-winning artists visit bornfree.org.uk/ born-free-forever

YOU ARE REMARKABLE

CONGRATS JOANNA!

Thanks to your generous donations, our recent Save Africa’s Giants appeal raised a colossal £75,349 to protect rare giraffes and elephants in Kenya, while Lions of Lockdown made a stupendous £118,035 to give four rescued lions a forever home (page 6).

We’re thrilled. Our beloved Founder Patron Joanna Lumley – an active supporter since our inception – has been made a Dame. “When I think of her talent as an actress I am in awe,” said a delighted Virginia McKenna, “but her involvement in so many issues leaves me lost for words. Her loyalty is unshakable, her compassion without compare.”

© georgelogan.co.uk

© georgelogan.co.uk

“Their glorious work is a show-stopper,” said Will Travers OBE, who launched the open-air exhibit with his mother Virginia McKenna OBE. “I encourage everyone to come and marvel, then get involved – so lions have a forever.” Currently in Newcastle, our exhibit moves to Bristol in July, then Edinburgh in the autumn. See our website to find out more.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER With inspiring films and uplifting stories, hundreds of you worldwide joined our online event in March to mark Born Free’s anniversary and 38 years of action for lions. With a whirlwind tour of every lion ever rescued (54 and counting!), the glorious evening raised £28,161 for lion rescue and conservation.

Wild Life | Summer 2022

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Have You Heard?

DOUBLE DRAMA Two exquisite cheetah – both victims of Ethiopia’s illegal wildlife trade – are safe in our care in Ethiopia, following dramatic rescue operations led by Bereket Girma. First, two-year-old Sisay – named in a supporter poll, then six-month old Dehar were brought to our Ensessa Kotteh wildlife centre. Aided by Cheetah Family adopters, they are now recovering from their ordeals.

THIS SHAME MUST END NOW

© georgelogan.co.uk

Born Free’s major new report Elephants in Zoos: A Legacy of Shame (page 17) reveals the mammoth suffering of this much-loved species and has sent shock-waves through the industry. In Europe alone, 580 of these majestic, sentient animals are kept in zoos, including 49 in the UK. “Elephants are living treasures, nature’s great teachers, gardeners of the forests,” said Virginia McKenna. “They no more belong in a zoo or a circus than in the sea or the sky. It is fundamentally wrong to confine these beautiful animals for our entertainment.”

WIN FOR MANDRILLS Born Free is supporting the conservation of colourful mandrill monkeys in Cameroon, with Tekou Ngunte Herve chosen as this year’s recipient of our annual Primate Society of Great Britain grant. “The mandrill is critically endangered,” he explained. “We must give future generations the chance to live alongside them.”

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HAVE YOU HEARD

We know it. You know it. Now a UK law will recognise animals as sentient beings with feelings, and worthy of respect. “Our thanks to all of you who stood up for animals and lobbied their MP to support the bill,” said our Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones. “Your voice is powerful.”

© PABSC

© georgelogan.co.uk

SENTIENCE SUCCESS

WHERE NATURE INTENDED Four long-legged servals – rescued from Belgium’s illegal pet trade by our Natuurehulpcentrum friends – have begun new lives at our section of Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. “It’s amazing they can now bathe in Africa’s warm sunshine, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bushland,” exclaimed our overjoyed acting Head of Rescue & Care Dr Andrea Donaldson.

Many wild cats are not so fortunate. In the UK alone at least 75 servals are kept in private hands. Our work continues to persuade the government to reform laws on exotic pet ownership. Please help: bornfree. org.uk/exotic-pets-take-action

NOT ONE BUT TWO...

ABOVE AND BEYOND

…baby elephants rescued thanks to you!

In Meru National Park, our team worked with Kenya Wildlife Service to successfully reunite a savannah calf – just a few months old and stranded in bore-hole created for livestock – with his mother.

We’re so grateful. AnnaLouise Pickering has donated £6,000 from the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation to help our rescue and care team develop vital best practice guidelines. Meanwhile, Val Hackett and Mike Carey’s black-tie evening in Staffordshire – their 22nd event in aid of Born Free – has taken their total raised to £550,000. Spectacular thank you!

A LIFE OF BLISS

© G Bartholomew

© ELRECO

Meanwhile in Liberia, six-month-old orphan Noku is receiving expert care, monitored by our Elephant Research and Conservation colleagues. Tragically, we suspect her mother was illegally killed. An official investigation is underway.

Remember Sandro, the beautiful 15-year-old tiger rescued from a shocking, barren cage, in a rundown Spanish zoo? With YOUR help, the zoo was closed and he now enjoys his new enclosure at a tranquil sanctuary in Italy. Surrounded by birdsong, Sandro can take a dip in his pool, then stroll through the trees before having a snooze on the grass – his former life of deprivation a distant memory.

RARE APES GO WILD Fantastic news from Democratic Republic of Congo – with our help, 14 endangered bonobos have returned to the rainforest. Our Friends of Bonobos colleagues successfully released the rare apes, rescued from wildlife traffickers, into a 120,000-acre reserve.

© ABC

© J Maughan

Their general director, Fanny Minesi, was the top prize winner of our prestigious £10,000 McKenna-Travers Award for Conservation 2021 for her outstanding work. “This is the day we have worked for, for decades,” she said. This year’s awards were launched on 7th June.

STOP HUNTING DOLPHINS An incredible 104,655 of you signed the Born Free-backed petition calling for the UK to halt trade with the Faroe Islands, until they stop cruel dolphin hunts. “Their brutal slaughter of over 1,400 white sided dolphins triggered global condemnation,” said our UK Wildlife Advocate Dominic Dyer. “I’m hugely grateful to everyone who got behind the campaign and look forward to this being debated in Parliament soon.”

Wild Life | Summer 2022

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Rescue & Care

Born Free rescues animals from appalling conditions, giving each one expert, loving care. We release individuals to the wild when feasible or provide best-possible lifetime care in world-class sanctuaries.

WORTH WAITING FOR © Brad Louwrens

IT’S BEEN QUITE A WAIT BUT, AT LONG LAST AND THANKS TO YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT, OUR LIONS OF LOCKDOWN ARE SAFELY AT THEIR FOREVER HOME. FLO BLACKBOURN REPORTS.

Could there be a better way to celebrate our Year of the Lion than jump-starting plans to move our four Lions of Lockdown to their lifetime home in South Africa? After much planning they arrived at our sanctuary at Shamwari in February, after two years at a halfway house in France and having spent the previous decade forced to perform in a travelling circus.

When the owner was attacked by the male Louga – frustrated and unwilling to be used as a circus’ puppet any longer – he thankfully decided to give the lions the chance of a more natural life. Having been transported in a tiny trailer all their lives, Louga, Angela, Saïda and Bellone were moved to a large enclosure at Tonga Terre d’Accueil, where they began to recover.

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WORTH WAITING FOR

Thanks to you, our wonderful supporters, and the funds you raised, two years ago Born Free was able to offer the lions a forever home. But then the pandemic hit and, like all of us, they had to undergo lockdown, their lives on hold. It was a long wait but, during this time, the lions recuperated in their tranquil surroundings, far from the shouting crowds and blaring music endured for so long.

Finally, this February, everything came together. Once again, you our supporters – the backbone of all we do – opened your hearts to these lions and helped fund the final push to take them home. After a two-day, 8,000-mile journey, the four arrived on the morning of Wednesday 9th February and, one by one, darted out of their travelling crates to explore their spacious tree-filled enclosure – well, Louga was a little more cautious... But, how reassuring to see them eat and drink well, after their long trip.

YOU CAN HELP

AFTER THEIR AWFUL START IN LIFE IT IS AMAZING LOUGA, BELLONE, SAÏDA AND ANGELA NOW WAKE UP EVERY MORNING WITH THE WARMTH OF THE AFRICAN SUN ON THEIR FACE, SURROUNDED BY THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF BUSHLAND. AT OUR SANCTUARY THEY HAVE THE NEXT BEST THING TO THE WILD.

It costs £4,200 a year to care for one of our lions at Shamwari. Visit bornfree.org.uk/ lions-of-lockdown to help or email dan@bornfree.org.uk to fund annual or even lifetime care costs.

© Brad Louwrens

© Tonga Terre d’Accueil

Catherine Gilson Born Free Manager, Shamwari

Four months since arriving, the lions are settled and at peace. Every day they are lavished with loving care and will never be forced to perform again. They can enjoy contented and full lives. None of this would have been possible without you.

HOW COULD WE SAY NO?!

Tiny Simba was found in a box in a garage in Russia and Wild Nature Hospital asked if we could give him a forever home. Temporarily with our friends at Natuurhulpcentrum, Belgium, we’re now moving Simba to Animanatura Wild Sanctuary in Italy, to live his life in peace.

Flo Blackbourn Rescue & Care Officer flo@bornfree.org.uk

YOU’RE WONDERFUL! Thanks to all donors, Tonga Terre d’Accureil, Qatar Airways, Lazy Lions for sponsoring Louga and Angela’s care for one year, Herport, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Pride of Africa Wildlife Solutions, Company of Animals and everyone else who helped!

Wild Life | Summer 2022

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WILL TRAVERS REMEMBERS HIS FATHER BILL, A LION OF A MAN, AND SHARES HIS VISION FOR A ZOO-FREE FUTURE, WHERE CAPTIVE EXPLOITATION OF ALL WILD ANIMALS IS AT AN END.

My father on the film set of Born Free

My Dad knew quite a bit about lions. After all, he and my Mum studied with the master – George Adamson, when they made the film Born Free.

From Baba ya Simba, the ‘Father of Lions’, they learned how to read body language and the look in a lion’s eye, what the position of the ears meant – when things were fun and when more serious.

So, it was with increasing horror my father observed the plight of lions in zoos. “You can learn as much about lions by watching them in their cages as you can about men by studying them in their prison cell,” he once wrote.

Like so many people who visit the zoo, he saw lions, and countless other captive wild animals, going about their daily routine, walking from here to there and back again, grooming for hours on end, swaying back and forth as if to the beat of a silent drum. That was it – their daily routine. The more he watched, the more he realised this wasn’t about behaviours of choice. It was about fixated, stereotypic behaviours with seemingly little or no meaning, no bearing on what the animal needed to do to survive.

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THE LIONS ARE FREE

With his body of evidence, he went to see Dr Roger Mugford, the famous animal psychologist and, together, they studied the footage. It was like watching human patients with deeply disturbing, psychotic behaviours. They were ‘zoochotic’ my Dad offered.

And the word stuck – so aptly describing the mind-numbing, repetitive behaviours displayed by so many animals, just to cope with being in zoos.

In this, our Year of the Lion, we remember many things.

Our conservation projects, our wild animal rescues, our education and policy initiatives all highlight – time and again – what we are doing to help lions, to enhance their protection and end their suffering. My Dad, a lion of a man, would have been at the forefront of each and every one of those efforts.

But, I am pretty sure one activity would still be consuming much of his time, his energy and his mind.

How to end the pointless incarceration of lions and the brutal impact that deprivation of choice, opportunity, and a normal life has on them – physically and mentally.

He coined the word zoochotic to remind us, every time we see an animal suffering in captivity, that the fight for a kinder, more compassionate and more just future for all life on earth isn’t over, until it’s won. © georgelogan.co.uk

That was the spark. Sometimes alone, sometimes with film-makers Gervaise Farjeon or Joe Phillips (now, sadly, no longer with us), he began painstakingly to catalogue what he saw in zoos across Europe. Bears rocking back and forth, apes obsessively plucking at their fur till they became bald, elephants plodding round and round in a pattern so imprinted they wore footsteps into the hard surface of their meagre little yard. And lions – repetitively patrolling well-worn pathways criss-crossing their compounds, seemingly searching for something they would never find.

Will Travers OBE Executive President will@bornfree.org.uk

DO YOU AGREE TO GO ZOO-FREE? Zoos have reached a dead-end – millions of captive lions and others animals in inadequate, unnatural conditions, widespread suffering and abnormal behaviours. Few endangered species and even fewer ever released to the wild. Animals locked up for life deserve better. Time to move on.

We challenge the multi-billion-pound global zoo industry and pledge to be the voice for captive wild animals everywhere. Are you with us? Please pledge to never visit a zoo and visit bornfree.org.uk/ take-action to help stop captive exploitation.

Wild Life | Summer 2022

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THE SPIRIT OF ELSA LIVES ON In a special interview, Virginia McKenna considers the impact of making Born Free, the film that lit a flame in her heart.

© Columbia Pictures

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When my husband Bill and I sailed for Kenya in 1964 to make the film, we had no idea how it would change our lives.

The true story of George and Joy Adamson and Elsa the lioness is surely unique. Joy’s books about raising the little cub and releasing her into the wild, were hugely successful. They inspired people from all backgrounds, and still do today. The flame they lit in my heart is stronger than ever.

We couldn’t have made the film without the wisdom and guidance of George. A man of few words, profound understanding of animals and endless patience. As no trained lions were used, these qualities were vital. We and the animals became friends. My family remained close to George until his tragic murder in 1989 and went to his funeral in Kora, in Kenya.

A lion in the wild and a lion in a zoo are very different creatures. As are a free person and a person in prison. In captivity, neither the animal nor the person can be who they really are. The difference, of course, is the lion has committed no crime.

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THE SPIRIT OF ELSA LIVES ON

© Daily Mail

We knew it would be a new experience – how could it not be when our fellow actors were going to be lions!

But it eventually led to the birth of our little organisation – Zoo Check, later to become the Born Free Foundation.

The catalyst was the tragic and pointless death of Pole Pole – a teenage elephant at London Zoo, in 1983.

Even in her distress, Pole Pole remembered us – see bornfree.org.uk/heritage for her full story

Who could not feel joy to learn that the lioness, Makena, who is part of Elsa’s Pride in Meru, Kenya, has become a grandmother (page 15).

I am sure that the Adamsons would share our joy knowing the Spirit of Elsa lives on.

The legacy Bill has left me is very personal.

The fact that the last two years of his life were spent travelling around Europe photographing wild animals in zoos has meant my personal cause is always the fight against captivity. Imprisoned animals are shadows of who they really are and should arouse our profound pity. We are enthralled by amazing films of wild animals in all corners of the world. Let us be content with that.

My gratitude always to the growing number of people who feel the same as we do.

A HAVEN FOR ALL? SURELY EVERY BEING HAS THE RIGHT TO A LIFE FILLED WITH COMPASSION AND SAFE FROM EXPLOITATION, ASKS VIRGINIA MCKENNA.

‘Home is where the heart is.’ And that is from where I write. It is where Bill and I found our dream cottage 65 years ago. Not only a home, but a haven for wildlife of all kinds who seem to know they are safe.

No hunting, no shooting here.

This is how I had started to write my piece for the summer edition of Wild Life, but the world dramatically changed due to the fearful invasion of Ukraine ordered

by Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Not a person, it seems, with any respect or compassion for humans nor, I suggest, for non-human beings.

LIONS AND TIGERS, ELEPHANTS AND LEOPARDS, WERE NOT CREATED SO A PERSON WITH A GUN COULD KILL THEM AND MAKE A RUG FROM THE SKIN OR HANG THE HEAD IN THE WALL AS AN ORNAMENT.

The world has many organisations that work tirelessly against cruelty to animals – of all kinds. People who are found to be cruel to non-human species face punishment. As does cruelty to our own kind.

We know all life ends at some point, but surely that does not excuse those who kill animals for ‘sport’.

Lions and tigers, elephants and leopards, were not created so a person with a gun could kill them and make a rug from the skin or hang the head in the wall as an ornament.

All the world’s creatures, human and animal, have a right to live as nature intended. The challenges they face are manifold and, surely, we should not knowingly add to them. © georgelogan.co.uk

The stories are heartrending. People sheltering in underground car parks, hundreds of vehicles packed with people fleeing to adjacent countries, miles of others on foot with only the luggage they could carry. Some holding a baby, a cat or a puppy. Of course, there will be many animals that will not get that chance. Tragic and innocent victims.

Virginia McKenna OBE Co-Founder & Trustee Wild Life | Summer 2022

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HERITAGE RANGE Organic cushion £29.99 Tea towel £14.99 Magnet £4.99 Tote bag £17.99 Water bottle £29.99 Art print £9.99 Mug £17.99 Based on the original cinema poster, our evocative new range celebrates the film that started it all! Featuring our Remarkable Co-Founders Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.

ADOPT KING THE LION Just £3 per month Rescued as a terrified cub from France’s illegal pet trade, King now thrives at our sanctuary in South Africa. You can help care for him!

Includes gift pack.

PART OF OUR PRIDE T-shirts £20, Sweatshirts £35 Hoodies £40 Organic cotton. Show you’re part of our pride!

Our sustainable print on demand new range means less waste so more of your funds help wild animals.

MANE EVENT ‘ROAR’ Fri 23 Sept 22 Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking RH5 6AA Tickets £122 Join Virginia McKenna and Will Travers for a very special evening in the stunning Surrey countryside.

Includes three-course meal and entertainment.

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VIRGINIA’S CIRCLE OF COMPASSION Could you be the one?

Virginia McKenna warmly invites you to join her exclusive Circle of inspiring people with a passion for wild animals. Maximum 50 exceptional members.

ADVERTISE IN WILD LIFE With 40k print and 100k+ digital readers, you can reach and engage our progressive, compassionate ABC1 audience with traditional adverts or advertorial.

COULD YOU PARTNER WITH BORN FREE?

We work with a wide range of bus inesses and corporate partners. You can enhance your corporate social responsibility efforts and raise vital funds for wild animals. Get in touch!

Email clairer@bornfree.org.uk

LONDON MARATHON Sun 2 Oct 2022 Become part of our Run Wild team! We have charity places or use your own ballot slot for this hugely popular race – one of the world’s top running events.

FUN-RAISING! From a cake sale to a car wash, a sponsored event or dress down for work day, hold an activity – big or small – to raise funds for our Forever Lions fund.

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE CHALLENGE World Lion Day Wed 10 Aug 22 Take our 20,000-step challenge to help secure a future for Africa’s 20,000 lions. Invite family and friends to walk like a lion and raise funds!

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS YOU CAN JOIN OUR PRIDE AND BECOME INVOLVED IN OUR YEAR OF THE LION.

CLIMB FOR CONSERVATION Mount Kenya Expedition Sat 1 – Mon 10 Oct 22 Take the challenge of a lifetime with our Patron, Olympic Gold hurdler Sally Gunnell OBE. Climb Africa’s second highest mountain.

YOU CAN HELP

SIMPLY DONATE

Your £10 goes fu rther than you think! Do nate to our Forever Li ons fund to help end captive exploitation and to support lion care and conservation.

To donate or find out more about all these projects just scan the QR code or visit bornfree .org.uk/ hear-me-roar

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THE STUFF OF LEGENDS

© georgelogan.co.uk

WE CAN’T LET LIONS BE CONSIGNED TO THE HISTORY BOOKS. PENNY BANHAM SHARES OUR PRACTICAL VISION TO SECURE A SAFE FUTURE FOR THE SYMBOL OF BORN FREE. For many of us, the lion is a symbol of ultimate power, the most wild of species inhabiting a world way beyond the confines of our society. So, we envelop them into our culture, with countless tales depicting their courage, justice and leadership.

But, if it weren’t for the dedicated individuals devoted to their protection, could lions be relegated to just stories and legends? In the last two decades, populations have declined by at least 43% and today as few as 20,000 remain.

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THE STUFF OF LEGENDS

Conservation

Born Free promotes Compassionate Conservation – every animal counts!

We protect threatened species in their natural habitat, and work with local communities to reduce conflict, so people and animals can coexist.

But, there is real, lion-sized hope. Born Free has a long legacy of protecting lions and the amazing landscapes they inhabit. Working closely with Kenya Wildlife Service we safeguard their future across Kenya and here the species has INCREASED by 25% since 2010, to more than 2,500 today. These include over 70 adults roaming the historic area of Meru National Park, closely monitored by our Pride of Meru team.

Elsa’s Pride was, of course, named in honour of our charity’s inspiration Elsa the lioness – successfully returned to the wild in 1958 by George and Joy Adamson, as featured in the classic book and film Born Free. Elsa showed the world that lions were not just apex predators, but individuals who could love and trust.

Born Free is initiating a widespread de-snaring operation, coupled with our work to empower communities to reduce reliance on natural resources and see the benefits of conservation – not least through tourism. The people of Meru are key to protecting lions and we are trialling innovative methods to reduce conflict, such as painting large eyes onto cattle’s rear ends – proven to deter predators.

Today, Elsa’s Pride of awe-inspiring predators has five adult females – Liz, Elsa, Makena and her daughters Mururi Girl 1 and Mururi Girl 2 – doing most of the hunting and caring for their cubs. But, however formidable the pride, they are still susceptible to numerous threats including conflict with people, habitat degradation and poaching. Without our help, the family of 18 is not safe, despite intensive efforts to secure their home.

“Large carnivores require vast areas, regularly moving beyond boundaries, passing through villages and rubbing shoulders with local communties,” explains Dr Caroline Ng’weno our Head of Pride of Meru.

“We increase people’s understanding of predators and help them respond to conflict. With your support, we will gradually piece together the parts of the puzzle of human-lion coexistence.”

These threats came sharply into focus last year when ResQ, a young female, was sighted with a wire snare wound tightly around her neck. Snares are indiscriminate and leave catastrophic, life-threatening injuries.

Unfortunately, the pandemic forced many families into extreme poverty and, with few ways to put food on the table, laying snares to catch prey became a way of survival. Kenya Wildlife Service and our team quickly intervened to tranquilise ResQ and remove the deadly wire. Today, ResQ and her family continue to roam Meru, ruling their territory and keeping the light alive for Elsa and every precious lion who has come after her.

Penny Banham Conservation Manager, penny@bornfree.org.uk

YOU CAN HELP Adopt Elsa’s Pride and help keep them safe. Visit bornfree.org.uk/adopt-a-lion

SOLIO

BROTHERS

Dominant male Born Feb 15

LIZ

SISTERS

ELSA

Female Born Oct 14

Female Born Oct 14

COUSINS

MOMBRAN

JIRA

RESQ

Male Born Nov 20

Female Born Nov 20

Female Born Nov 20

MANG’ERETE

Dominant male Born Feb 15

MAKENA

Female Born Feb 13

MURURI GIRL 1

MURURI GIRL 2

MAJOR

KING

Female Born Dec 16

Female Born Dec 16

Male Born Dec 16

Male Born Dec 16

CHERI

QUEEN

Female Born Nov 20

Female Born Nov 20

JULIET

Kimba

KIARA

KAMILI

HUNTER

Female Born June 19

Male Born June 19

Female Born Oct 20

Female Born Oct 20

Male Born Oct 20

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YOU CAN HELP Scan the QR code below to donate to save Dja’s apes or visit bornfree.org.uk/apes-on-the-edge

THE GUARDIANS OF DJA IT’S OFFICIAL - THANKS TO YOUR KIND DONATIONS, WE’RE GOING APE ABOUT APES! DR NIKKI TAGG INTRODUCES OUR NEW PROJECT TO PROTECT OUR COUSINS IN CAMEROON. We’re thrilled! Our brand-new conservation programme has launched in the shade of the Congo Basin’s towering moabi trees, where immense Central African rainforests come alive with a bustling diversity of animals. Here in Cameroon’s Dja landscape, our focal species are among the largest and most charismatic of this ecosystem – gorillas and chimpanzees.

Living here in ‘sympatry’, meaning their ranges overlap, central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) cling to one of their last strongholds. The Dja is a high priority site for their conservation, given its size, connectivity to vast forests out to the east and ecological integrity.

Forests are key to fight climate change. The Congo Basin’s tropical rainforest, together with its South American counterpart, the Amazon Basin, is a provider of life. Giver of fresh air and water. Storer of carbon.

And all the animals that live within, from those perched in its swaying canopy to those scuttling through the ground vegetation, are vital to maintain the health of this crucial ecosystem.

Chimpanzees and gorillas play critical roles. They swallow and disperse seeds, depositing each one in a nice pile of its own manure to ensure rapid germination and growth. We need great apes as much as we need the air we breathe.

© Rowan Griffiths/The Mirror

“SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION IS ONLY ACHIEVED THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THEIR INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL.” Donald Mbohli, Born Free’s implementation partner

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THE GUARDIANS OF DJA

So, we are launching an ambitious programme of sustainable agriculture, conservation education and reforestation of degraded farmland. We’ll work closely with villages in the buffer zone of this UNESCO classified World Heritage site, where 50,000 rural people live well below the poverty line. In empowering local communities to protect surrounding forests, we will also protect innumerable other species including critically endangered forest elephant, as well as three vulnerable pangolin species – the giant, white-bellied and black-bellied.

Come with us as we travel to the Dja. Learn all about this complex and magnificent forest habitat and the wonderful animals that call it home; and support us to ensure that great apes and people of this remaining piece of natural wonder can rise up to become true ‘Guardians of Dja’.

SCAN ME TO DONATE

Dr Nikki Tagg Head of Conservation nikkit@bornfree.org.uk

RAISE A RED FLAG THIS SUMMER

Born Free has released two significant elephant reports.

Our Elephants in Zoos – A Legacy of Shame highlighted the desperate problems facing hundreds of elephants in captivity, who suffer shortened life expectancies, poor reproductive success, high calf mortality and a variety of physical and behavioural abnormalities. Ever since Pole Pole’s tragic death in 1983, ending the captive exploitation of elephants has been a priority for Born Free.

Our second report Are Ivory Sellers Lying Through Their Teeth? provides shocking insight into the volume and value of ivory products currently advertised on UK auction websites. Since our huge ivory trade campaign began in 1989, Born Free has continually pushed for legislation to protect elephants from poaching and end the sale of their teeth.

As well as raising public awareness we hope these reports, aimed at policy makers, will inform and influence relevant legislation. You can read them at bornfree.org.uk/publications

Frankie Osuch Policy Support Officer frankie@bornfree.org.uk

YOU CAN HELP Help lobby and end the exploitation of elephants in UK zoos at bornfree.org.uk/elephant-take-action

With many countries and the tourism industry desperate to recoup losses from the last couple of years, animal exploitation is inevitably going to return and sadly, may even be worse. But, you can help by not supporting cruel activities, such as the use of animals as photo props or in public shows, and by raising your concerns about the welfare of wild animals in captivity.

© A Gekoski/Caters News

TWO LARGER THAN LIFE REPORTS

With summer now here and the world emerging from Covid restrictions, our thoughts are drifting towards holidays and travelling to experience the wonders of our planet once again.

But, our excitement to get away shouldn’t override our consciences.

Please send us your reports via our Raise the Red Flag online platform, along with your photo and video evidence, and find out how you can speak out to help the animals you have seen. Your actions can genuinely help transform the lives of individual animals.

Sarah Jefferson Captivity Campaigns Information Officer sarahj@bornfree.org.uk

YOU CAN HELP To file your reports and take action visit bornfree.org.uk/raise-the-red-flag

“THE GROSS AND TRAGIC EXPLOITATION OF ELEPHANTS HAS GONE ON FOR FAR TOO LONG. THIS SIMPLY MUST STOP.” Will Travers OBE, Executive President

Wild Life | Summer 2022

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© georgelogan.co.uk

Policy

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KILLING LIONS FOR FUN

Good policy underpins our mission to stop wild animals being exploited for trade or ‘entertainment’.

To protect wildlife, it’s vital we lobby decision-makers to improve legal protection and properly enforce laws.

SINCE OUR INCEPTION, BORN FREE HAS CAMPAIGNED TO END THE GRUESOME AND OUTMODED ‘SPORT’ OF TROPHY HUNTING. DR MARK JONES REPORTS ON SEEKING A KINDER FUTURE. Trophy hunting is highly controversial, the subject of passionate debate. At Born Free we view the killing of animals by a wealthy, predominantly Western elite for personal gratification as ethically objectionable, and campaign to end this immoral activity. Yet hunters continue to travel the world in pursuit of macabre trophies.

Proponents claim trophy hunting provides resources for conservation and reduces conflict by removing ‘problem’ or ‘redundant’ animals. However, evidence suggests otherwise. Lion hunters target animals that make the best trophies – males with the biggest and darkest manes. These are often pride leaders. Cecil, killed by a trophy hunter in Zimbabwe in 2015, led two prides and had recently sired cubs. Killing these animals causes immense disruption, with younger males often killing cubs as they take over prides.

Trophy hunting also causes immense suffering.

Hunters avoid targeting the parts they covet – typically the head – so lions may not be cleanly or quickly killed. They frequently employ bows and arrows, crossbows, handguns, or ‘traditional’ weapons such as muzzle loaders. Both Cecil and Mopane – another lion killed in the same area in 2021, were targeted using bows and were initially wounded by the American hunters and only killed later.

Lions are also subject to the cruellest form of hunting – ‘canned hunting’ – where animals are bred in captivity then released into enclosures to be shot by paying hunters with no chance of escape. There are currently perhaps 12,000 lions intensively bred for this purpose in South Africa, leading to a host of welfare concerns, with high-profile reports of serious abuse and neglect in breeding farms.

A number of countries, including Brazil, Costa Rica and Kenya, have banned trophy hunting. Some others, including Israel, Australia, France and to some extent the United States, have introduced bans or restrictions on the import of trophies. After years of our campaigning, the UK government has pledged to ban lion trophy imports, which would set a precedent for other countries to follow. We continue to urge them to make good on this promise.

FIND OUT MORE And sign our petition to end this barbaric ‘sport’: bornfree.org.uk/trophy-hunting

Those lucky enough to have disposable funds to pay for trophy hunts should desist from killing animals and instead donate funds to bona fide, truly compassionate projects aimed at benefitting wildlife and the human communities who live alongside.

With your help, our work continues to promote a more compassionate and abuse-free future.

Dr Mark Jones Head of Policy & Veterinarian markj@bornfree.org.uk

“TROPHY HUNTING OF LIONS AND OTHER SPECIES IS AN OUTDATED RELIC OF A COLONIAL-ERA OBSESSION WITH KILLING WILDLIFE FOR SPORT. IT HAS NO PLACE IN MODERN SOCIETY AND NO ROLE TO PLAY IN ANY COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME. EVERY ANIMAL MATTERS. ” Will Travers OBE, Executive President

WHY I LOVE SHOOTING LIONS “I’m fascinated by lions. Their complex pride structures, the way every meal becomes a life-or-death drama. The sheer grace, beauty and ferocity of females on a hunt. They are incredibly beautiful to photograph. I think I’m obsessed…”

George Logan Photographer Visit shop.bornfree.org.uk for George’s dazzling Lion: Pride Before the Fall photo book with wild and conceptual images.

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Education

Born Free inspires the next generation to nurture the wild, transforming attitudes towards wild animal welfare and conservation. We reach schools and communities living alongside some of the world’s most threatened wildlife.

LAURA GOSSET CONSIDERS HOW, EVER SINCE ELSA, INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN POTENT DRIVERS OF TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE AT BORN FREE. The story of our charity began with just a handful of people and animals. These individuals inspired our Co-Founders Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers and Will Travers to devote their lives to protecting and campaigning for animals in need.

“I realise that, during my life, it is nearly always one person or one animal who has inspired me, or made me question why I feel upset or happy. If I look back over many years, for me there are two animals. Elsa the lioness – raised from a little orphaned cub by George and Joy Adamson in Kenya and returned to the wild.

And Pole Pole, the young elephant taken as a two-yearold from her wild family and finally ending her life as a teenager in London Zoo.

© georgelogan.co.uk

“Perhaps over the past two years when Covid prevented us from going away, we have been looking with a new interest at the world on our doorstep. I am sure you too will want to protect the wild creatures that help to make our world such a beautiful place.”

Virginia McKenna OBE Co-Founder & Trustee

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THE POWER OF ONE

The impact of individual animals can be profound as Hector, another amazing Junior Ambassador, explains. “Cecil the lion was killed in 2015, his life taken to be a trophy for a dentist’s wall. It was the first time I found out about trophy hunting and how cruel it is. Cecil’s horrible death inspired me to try to stop it happening to other innocent animals. If the killing doesn’t stop, lions could be extinct in my lifetime.”

True stories about special individuals continue to resonate through our work and public engagement, including the launch of Born Free Forever (page 3) and its arrival in Newcastle in April. Dozens of primary school students, including our Junior Ambassador Thea, enjoyed the sculptures and took part in a biro drawing workshop with artist Jane Lee McCracken.

The use of art to engage pupils can really bring stories to life and encourage learning.

To build on Elsa’s legacy, we communicate our messages to young people through school-based workshops. The first 18 months of our partnership with Volunteers for Future has increased our reach by an astounding 3,300 primary school pupils across 30 schools, via 90 workshops. Over three quarters of teachers surveyed rated our workshops as Very Good or Excellent, with feedback from pupils including: • ‘This made me think that everything has a life.’

• ‘Why do we need zoos? Animals have to stay there their whole lives waiting for more people to look at them.’

• ‘Why do people continue to destroy rainforests when they know it is bad for the environment?’

Laura Gosset Head of Education laura@bornfree.org.uk

FIND OUT MORE For our full list of free resources, live webinars, workshops and more, including our FREE monthly kids’ email, visit bornfree.org.uk/education or email education@bornfree.org.uk.

Great Debate KS3 live event

Meet Nikita!

22nd June 2022, ticketed SOAS, Brunei Gallery, London WC1H

We welcome a new Youth Ambassador and active campaigner, 16-year-old Nikita, to the Born Free family. After watching Shankar, an African elephant in solitary confinement at Delhi Zoo for almost two decades, sway side-to-side in distress, Nikita became determined to be a voice for Shankar and all animals who suffer from human exploitation.

Born Free’s in person event focuses on ‘How can agricultural practices and consumer choices support conservation?’

The live streamed panel discussion, including panellists Bella Lack, Dr Mark Jones and farming community members, is open to schools and the general public. Email education@bornfree.org.uk to find out more.

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THE LATEST NEWS ON YOUR ADOPTED ANIMAL

THE ELEPHANT FAMILY AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, KENYA Since our last update, Edwina and her family have been ranging across the Amboseli ecosystem. But, on the first day they returned, we saw Edwina’s daughter Elaine had a newborn calf – they had come back so she could give birth somewhere familiar. Her first boy, he looks strong and healthy – his two elder sisters are besotted!

All other family members are doing well including Edwina's latest daughter, while her elder daughters Elana and Europa are both pregnant. El Nino, Europa's calf born in 2010 wasn’t with them, so he’s probably starting to move independently from the family.

Born Free supporters named two other elephants in the EB family – Echo's youngest daughter, Esprit, and Emily Kate's son Ewok. Both are doing well and Esprit’s male calf has just turned two. The EBs come right up to our tents with Esprit even snacking on vines growing on the phoenix palms on our Founder Dr Cynthia Moss's verandah! Despite losing his mother aged four, Ewok – now aged eight – is in good shape and will no doubt be ready to leave his family in a few years.

Dr Vicki Fishlock Resident Scientist, Amboseli Trust for Elephants

THEIR STORY

© ATE

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 1973.

WHO WILL YOU ADOPT TODAY? Transform the life of an individual in need or help ensure the survival of an entire species!

The perfect gift for animal lovers everywhere – includes a fun and educational gift pack (digital available), plus regular updates and optional cuddly toy.

JUST £3 PER MONTH Choose your favourite animal then visit bornfree.org.uk/adopt or call 01403 240170 to adopt today.

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

KING THE LION BORN FREE’S SANCTUARY, SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA With your support, your adopted lion King is in his element. This photo with his companion Thea was taken on a cool afternoon, when King was lying on the jungle gym looking over his kingdom of Shamwari.

Thea, who was also rescued from the pet trade in France, then came to join him and they relaxed together, gazing across their enclosure and beyond.

Such a beautiful sight.

KYRIAKOS THE BROWN BEAR ARCTUROS, GREECE Known for his beautiful gold-blonde colouring, your adopted bear is handsome and impressive. He spends his time alone – a solitary life is normal for bears – but remains close to others. Not least his twin Manolis, thriving in the enclosure next door.

An unexpected heavy snowfall caused branches to fall from trees. Kyriakos spent a lot of time playing with the broken branches and devouring the leaves. He loves to eat, and before hibernating enjoyed feasts of honey, eggs and bread – bears need to put on a lot of weight before they rest. Kyriakos spent more time in his den, preparing for the long sleep, gathering leaves, small branches, and straw to make his bed nice and cosy.

A while ago, we witnessed King mischievously scooping water out of his trough with his paw. He even taught Thea how to do it, and now it’s one of her favourite games too! Your lion is very much king of his enclosure and chases away any birds that try to land in his space, namely crows and hadada ibises. He is definitely in charge and they are not allowed in his territory!

King can be very vocal and a bit of a trend setter.

Sometimes, when he starts to roar, the other rescued lions around join in with him. It makes for quite an orchestra and is such a spectacle. You can almost forget he had such a bad start to life, just a few years ago. How wonderful to see him grown into such a loveable, magnificent big cat. I am thankful to you all for helping make a difference in his life.

Glen Vena Animal Care Manager, Born Free

Melina Avgerinou Animal Rescue and Care Manager, ARCTUROS

Background: Rescued from Kastoria in northern Greece as a four-month-old, wild-born cub, with his twin brother Manolis, when their mother was killed Arrived at sanctuary: 2004 Age today: 17

© ARCTUROS

We soon hope to return three orphaned bear cubs rescued from Bulgaria back to the wild, as well as a rescued wolf and jackal. This is the first time this has been attempted in Greece, so radio collars will monitor their progress. Excitingly, our sanctuary has now grown, with three more hectares of KYRIAKOS’ STORY enclosure space created, Home today: Lifetime care in a and four more bears arriving! spacious beech forest enclosure Thank you for your support.

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THEIR STORY Home: Spacious natural enclosures with undergrowth to explore and room to run Background: Nearly all the family are victims of the illegal pet trade and were stolen from the wild as cubs Arrived at Ensessa Kotteh: from 2011 to 2022 Age today: From one to ten years

THE CHEETAH FAMILY ENSESSA KOTTEH RESCUE CENTRE, ETHIOPIA Exciting news – with your help we rescued two new cheetahs from the illegal pet trade, in December and then January. A big effort, it took many days driving to bring them ‘home’. You can read the full stories of Sisay and Dehar’s dramatic rescues on our website – how wonderful they can live great lives here.

It has been the dry season here and all the beautiful greenery has turned brown. But the cheetahs have rejoiced, so happy to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

They live beside a big forest and are fascinated by the wildlife who live there – birds, vervets, warthogs and much more. They run close to the fence, trying to chase what they see!

They also love their ball woven from grass and scented herbs, and play with toys hung from trees.

Hailu, however, prefers to make his own fun, running around before enjoying the enrichment we offer him and devouring any tasty treats!

It's good to see sisters Konjo and Choa, rescued in April 2015, becoming even closer. They’re intrigued by the rescued large tortoise who lives beside them – so inquisitive and excited by his presence.

Bereket Girma Head of Centre, Ensessa Kotteh

TIMTOM CAMP JL RELEASE CAMP, LAMANDAU WILDLIFE RESERVE INDONESIA, BORNEO Timtom has spent six of her seven years learning what it takes to be wild. The youngest entrant to our soft-release programme she has spent each day since adapting from life as a pet, to life in the forest. We released three previously captive orangutans this year and hope Timtom will one day be ready to join them!

She has developed a long coat of hair and grown considerably, our team providing the best possible care and keeping her tropical forest safe thanks to your adoption.

There are over 600 wild orangutans in Timtom’s forest, so your adoption benefits the wider prospects of this critically endangered species.

Every day Timtom is taken into the forest to practice nest-building and searching for food. But, despite being a confident climber, she’s content playing on the lower branches or forest floor. Leaves and twigs are ideal toys and she loves a muddy puddle to frolic in. On some days she digs with her hands, then rubs sand, leaves, and soil all over herself. It can be a difficult task for staff to wash her in the river before going back to camp!

© Orangutan Foundation

Ashley Leiman Director, Orangutan Foundation

TIMTOM'S STORY

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Home today: Gradually preparing for life in the wild at Camp JL Background: Taken from her wild mother as a baby and kept illegally as a pet Age today: seven years

HANSON ISLAND, JOHNSON STRAIT, CANADA How unbelievable that this January 2022 marked 20 years since Springer, lost and alone, was first sighted near Seattle, Washington. It took many months, and a huge rescue mission, but she was successfully returned home where she was reunited with her pod. This July will be 20 years since she returned home.

The pod was doing well when they last visited us. We always love seeing your adopted orca swim past our ‘Welcome Home Springer’ sign! The pod arrived at night on a few occasions, and sometimes we only caught glimpses. On a particularly foggy day, Springer arrived with numerous other families.

We had to use our knowledge of their unique calls alone to identify them. They eventually swam towards Vancouver Island where they met up with two more families before coming back our way in the late afternoon. It was a spectacular social event, and as Springer breached nearby – leaping out of the sea – we had our first proper sight of her.

THE ETHIOPIAN WOLF FAMILY

© Patrick ODonnelly

SPRINGER THE ORCA

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 is supported by Born Free Family: 21-year-old Springer gave birth to Spirit in 2013 and Storm in 2017 Background: When Springer’s mother Sutlej died 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 in 2002.

Springer and her babies Spirit and Storm foraged close to another mother orca, Pine, and her baby before heading west in the evening. They also spent much time at the ‘rubbing beaches' – nearby beaches where orcas rub their bodies against the sand and smooth stones. The behaviour is unique to the orcas of British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait, believed to enhance their strong social bonds.

Dr Paul Spong and Helena Symonds Co-Directors, OrcaLab

THEIR STORY Home: Living wild in the plateaux of the Afroalpine highlands, 3,500m above sea level Family: Close-knit packs, each led by an alpha male and female Background: Slender, long-legged and red-tinged, closely related to grey wolves but, hunt alone, preying mainly on molerats and grass rats.

BALE MOUNTAINS, ETHIOPIA Fantastic news from Ethiopia. Our wolf monitoring team are delighted to report that pups have been born to three local packs in the protected location known as Menz Guassa. Some 155 miles north of capital city Addis Ababa, the area had been ravaged by fire just a few short months ago.

It has been such an anxious time, waiting to hear how the wolves have faired. Despite much of the land being scorched by flames, new guassa* growth is shooting from the charred ground – a clear sign of the grasslands’ swift recovery. And the three packs, the Regreg, Sefed Meda and Chichira Meda, are all breeding.

Professor Claudio Sillero Bill Travers Fellow for Wildlife Conservation, Born Free * A grass found only in Ethiopia

©W Burrard Lucas

Our monitor Mengistu spotted two puppies, just a couple of months old, stretching their legs in the early morning outside the den of the Chichira Meda pack, then confirmed three puppies have been born to the Sefed Meda pack. This is the most welcome news we could hope for! The landscape and its wildlife are resilient, inspiring us all to remain strong and hopeful for the days to come.

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GOPAL THE TIGER 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: 11

With your support, Gopal has an incredible eight acres of forest habitat to explore. He leaps and bounds around, following scent trails left by his care team and looking for food treats hidden about the enclosure.

He clearly enjoys the blocks of ice containing meaty bones we prepare, which he has to work very hard at to access, as well as an occasional chicken carcass which he will devour in its entirety. His favourite food, though, is beef – it seems to be a delicacy to him, which he takes time to feast on, chewing every mouthful slowly.

Dr Arun A Sha Director, Research & Veterinary Operations Wildlife SOS

© Wildlife SOS

Like all tigers, Gopal is mainly a reclusive creature with several favourite hideout spots amid the foliage, trees, shrubs and pool. Recently though he has been living in his night enclosure while we treat an injury on the base of his tail. He probably scratched it on the stump of a plant, so our veterinary team has been treating the wound with dressings and antibiotics, keeping a close eye. We are glad to report the wound is healing and Gopal should be back out exploring in his main enclosure very soon!

THE GIRAFFE FAMILY MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA Just as every human has unique fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spots. Giraffes, known as ‘Twiga’ in Swahili, can be recognised by these patterns and other special features such as scars.

With your support, our Saving Meru’s Giants monitoring team then uses Wild-ID software to identify each giraffe – utilising advanced pattern recognition technology to distinguish individuals and create a database of sightings.

For example, one giraffe has a short and deformed ‘ossicone’ (like horns but made of fur-covered bone) while another has a split right ear. Instantly recognisable, they walk majestically amongst the peers in their ‘tower’ (group), wearing their unique characteristics as a badge of honour.

THEIR STORY

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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 50% decline in 30 years

Besides humans, only lions and crocodiles hunt for giraffes. But giraffes can defend themselves with a deadly kick – their speed and body design helps them escape predators. However, they have no defence against poachers and wire snares which remain a major threat. We have now recruited a five person Twiga team currently undergoing intensive training, who will soon be ready to go on patrol to remove snares and protect giraffes.

Irene Kanga Intern, Saving Meru’s Giants, Born Free Kenya

CHINOISE THE CHIMP LIMBE WILDLIFE CENTRE, CAMEROON Chinoise is well integrated into her group and – supported by your kind adoption – has grown strong and healthy. Your fun-loving chimpanzee is always up for a game, always looking out for someone to play with.

She spends a lot of time with her adoptive mother Papaya, who gives comfort and support. Papaya steps in to help if there is ever a squabble – very helpful since she is the group’s dominant female. Through her relationship with Papaya, Chinoise’s position is automatically boosted – chimpanzee society is complex and fascinating!

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: eight years

THE RHINO FAMILY

During the recent hot and dry season, Chinoise enjoyed the daily sun with special playmates Jules, Jojo and AJ. Dry season also means mango season, and Papaya is the local expert in the art of dislodging them from trees in their enclosure, with precise stone throws. So, Chinoise has taken full advantage of the rich mango supply!

Two new adult males, Tikar and Ntui, arrived at the end of 2021, and we hope to start introductions shortly, to integrate them into this non-breeding group. Papaya has been chosen to start this process, which shouldn’t be a problem for Chinoise, thanks to their strong bond.

Jerry Aylmer Manager, Limbe Wildlife Centre

MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA Here in Meru, you help us protect two species of rhinos, the white and the black. Very few rhinos survive outside protected areas due to poaching and habitat loss, hence why Meru’s rhino sanctuary was established to protect these critically endangered animals.

Tana is a remarkable white rhino, born in 2003 and translocated from Lake Nakuru National Park in 2006.

We identify her through her distinct ear notches. By successfully bringing six calves into the world, Tana has made a significant contribution to our growing population in Meru. And if we keep them safe, they will go on to generate their own offspring, and so on.

Tana currently stays with her calf, born last year, within the Mururi swamp area together with a dominant adult male Gakuya, who guards his territory from other male rhinos.

Interestingly, Tana’s calf is fascinated by vehicles, running towards visitors, but mum then tries to charge to scare them off! Thanks to solar power provided by Born Free, rhino rangers now have more time to patrol and communication within the sanctuary has been hugely improved.

Francis Kago Project Officer, Saving Meru’s Giants, Born Free Kenya

THEIR STORY Home: Rhino sanctuary within Meru Family: A large and healthy wild population of black and white rhinos, protected by rangers Background: After a poaching epidemic in the 1970s and 80s, Born Free is helping Kenya Wildlife Service restore Meru’s wildlife, including rhino, to its former abundance

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ELSA'S PRIDE MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA How appropriate that your adopted pride utilises the area around Elsa’s Kopje*, site of conservationist George Adamson’s camp before he moved to nearby Kora National Park. They are the most frequently sighted lion family within Meru and so successful – currently consisting of five adult males, five adult females, three sub-adults and seven cubs named ResQ, Cheri, Queen, Hunter, Jira, Kamili and Kiara Your spectacular pride has gained fame thanks to their unusual tree-climbing and are much sought-after by visitors to the park. Watching them enjoy a blissful nap, taking a cool breeze on tree branches, is a sight to behold! By climbing trees, lions can avoid irritating bites from ground-dwelling insects and get a good viewpoint to observe prey animals and select a target to hunt.

Despite being the oldest female within the pride, Makena continues to thrive. Born in February 2013 this remarkable female is cousin to Elsa and Liz, mother to General, King, Mururi Girl 1, and Mururi Girl 2 and grandmother to Cheri, Kiara, Kamili, Queen, and Hunter.

Dignified Makena is quite solitary, so it is always a joy for our field team to spot her.

Newton Simiyu Saving Meru’s Giants Manager, Born Free Kenya *Pronounced ‘copy’, meaning a small, rocky, isolated hill

THEIR STORY Home: Wild in Meru, 220 miles northeast of Nairobi Family: Three adult females, plus cubs, led by males Solio and Mang’erete 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.

PARLY THE MOON BEAR ANIMALS ASIA’S BEAR RESCUE CENTRE, TAM DAO, VIETNAM Your adopted bear Parly is big, cute and happy. Rarely grumpy, he always seems to enjoy the company of best friends Humphrey, Xanadu, Jeffrey, LeBON, and Arthur – he’s such a friendly bear! Parly recently climbed an oak tree but, broke many branches on the way, which he threw down to the ground for his friends to play with. The whole team of bears had a great time thanks to Parly the intrepid!

© Animals Asia

PARLY'S STORY

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Home today: Lifetime care, with over 180 rescued bears, in grassy, treefilled 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 Arrived at sanctuary: December 2012 Age today: 12

Your bear is always up for a challenge. All the rescued bears enjoy bamboo puzzle feeders and ‘wobble trees’, and he spends lots of time shaking a tree until all of his favourite fruits hung there fall off for him! He is not a picky eater, but his favourite foods are tomatoes and pears. Another thing that makes your Parly so special is his unique sleeping style – his tongue always hangs out and he sometimes even rolls it up while he sleeps. He always wins hearts with his mixture of naughtiness, smartness, and sweetness. We love him very much.

Animals Asia is now building a new sanctuary to rescue every single bear remaining in a bile farm in Vietnam.

We will report back!

Van Dang Supporter Engagement Coordinator, Animals Asia

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 YUNGAS FOREST, ARGENTINA Thanks to Born Free adopters, our work to protect jaguars is continuing steadily. We are so pleased to see jaguars thriving after the forest fires in 2020, as you can see from this camera trap snap.

We are gradually earning the trust of the community.

Incredibly, a former poacher recently came clean with us, regarding a jaguar he killed in retaliation a few years earlier, after his livestock was preyed on.

He explained that, after hearing our talks and his children speaking about our activities, he realised he had made a horrible mistake. He now knows jaguars are wonderful animals who deserve to live, and it is possible to share the land with them!

We recently hired two people to work as ‘Community Ambassadors' – Celso and Serafín, the reformed poacher.

We trained them how to use camera traps to monitor jaguars and help cattle ranchers reduce conflict due to jaguar predation. They are strengthening relations with the community and Serafín shows the world that everyone can become a conservationist!

Dr Flavia Caruso Biologist, Jaguars in the Fringe

SARA THE CHIMPANZEE NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY, UGANDA Playful and assertive, your adopted young chimp plays freely with almost everyone in her community. She confidently handles any conflict with even the big females, and her rank in the group hierarchy is growing stronger.

But, she still has a very tight bond with her surrogate mother, Connie, who adopted her ten years ago.

Independent Sara is happy to spend time in the forest even when her friends and adopted mother are elsewhere. One of her favourite activities is searching for wild figs, even when there are fresh fruits and vegetables more easily available. She also sometimes sleeps in the forest rather than returning to the night facility.

Dorothy Basemera Rukundo Guest Relations & Partnership Officer, Chimpanzee Trust

© CSWCT

Sara will never back down, even if it means provoking the large males of the group. If others try to assert their dominance, she throws tantrums which bring her friends over for support! But, she sometimes takes advantage of her high rank, sitting next to low ranking chimp Eazy, for example, knowing he won’t try to take any food she has her eye on.

Sara then chooses her favourite treats, hides them away to eat later, then comes back for more. What a clever chimp!

SARA’S STORY Home today: Lifetime care 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 four years Age today: 14 years

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THE PANGOLIN FAMILY SANGHA PANGOLIN PROJECT, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Mona is now very much a wild pangolin – we watched her causing chaos at a bees’ nest by feeding on their honey.

Then another day, the tree branch she was climbing on broke, causing her to fall a worrying 30 metres to the ground. Thankfully, she was fine, and soon climbed back up.

One morning we had to get one of our team to climb a very tall tree to find her when she hadn’t been seen emerging from her den. She wasn’t there but, was eventually spotted high up in a tree nearby, completely oblivious to the anxiety she had caused us all! Then, excitingly, our camera traps showed a picture of a civet (a small, mongoose-like mammal) who was instantly recognisable as Minette – reared and released in 2019.

Wonderful news!

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

THEIR STORY Home today: The tropical forests of south west Central African Republic, close to the Sangha river Background: Orphaned and injured pangolins, rescued and treated within a small hospital funded by Born Free Rescued: Since 2013, more than 100 pangolins have been cared for and released, then monitored by local Ba’aka trackers

THE LEOPARD FAMILY BORN FREE’S SANCTUARY, SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA With two youngsters and two seniors, your leopards are content, enjoying enriched lives at Shamwari. Dear Sami is much-loved and always keeps busy. He devours his meals with relish but was recently seen with a mouse in his mouth.

Rodents are one of a diverse range of leopard prey items, so it’s great to see him displaying natural hunting behaviours.

Despite Mowgli’s shyness, in the last few months he has started to vocalise in the early morning, which means he is establishing himself and feels more comfortable in his home. It’s great to see his confidence improve and hope this will continue.

Rhea often rests in the cool air of her night house – not surprising given her grand age, especially in the heat of South Africa’s summer. But, she can still run for short bursts, and likes to inspect the habits of her rescued lion neighbours.

Zeiss is very settled and it’s great to see him patrol his enclosure, marking his territory. One of the ways he does this is by branding trees with his impressively deep claw marks, to leave a visible sign to others that he owns the land!

Glen Vena Animal Care Manager, Born Free

THEIR STORY

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Home today: Lifetime care in their own spacious bush enclosures Background: Sami rescued as a cub from the Sudanese desert in 2001, Rhea from a Cypriot zoo in 2009, Mowgli and Zeiss from a South African zoo 2020 Age today: Sami is 20, Rhea 24, Mowgli three and Zeiss seven

© SPP

We haven’t had to rescue any new pangolins recently, which we hope is due to the tightening of laws regarding pangolin trade. But, with your help, we’ve been busy monitoring Mona the black-bellied pangolin, who we rescued as a pup in 2020. Our work also continues to improve community awareness and study wild pangolins living nearby with the help of camera trap images.

THE BROWN BEAR ORPHANS ORPHAN BEAR RESCUE CENTRE, RUSSIA

Then in March, two more cubs arrived, this time from the Novgorod region of northwest Russia. Their mother had been illegally killed and this is under investigation. Fortunately, after a day, the two young bears started eating and gradually gained weight.

More cubs then started arriving and we have now rescued a total of 14 little bears this year.

Last year, with the help of adopters, we reared and released 13 bears and supported the rehabilitation of another three at another site. We monitor the bears post-release, to ensure they do well in the wild.

They can travel huge distances and we were delighted to see that one of our released bears from 2017 was sighted with a cub of her own!

Katya Pazhetnova Wildlife Biologist & Centre Specialist Orphan Bear Rescue Centre

© OBRC

With your help, we rescued our first two bear cubs, Chook and Geck, in early February from Vologda in the northwest. Aged around 2½ weeks, their eyes and ears were still closed. Their mother had been scared away and they weighed just 1.4kg. It took a few days to get them settled, but they started to drink our special milk formula, needing bottle-feeding every three hours, and gradually put on weight.

THEIR STORY Home today: Rehabilitated at this woodland rescue centre, halfway between Moscow and St Petersburgh, and returned to the wild where they were found.

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

CHIMANUKA THE GORILLA KAHUZI BIEGA NATIONAL PARK, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

CHIMANUKA'S STORY Home: Living wild in the mountain rainforests of a vast 2,300mi2 park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Family: Mighty Chimanuka the silverback gorilla defends a large family of females and offspring Background: Since 2000 Born Free has supported a team of rangers who risk their lives to keep these gorillas safe from poachers.

Funded with your help, our teams are back working as normal, watching over Chimanuka’s family of 20 and tracking their movements. But, gorillas can catch Covid so, to protect them, our staff wear masks and keep a distance of at least 15 metres.

As well as working with vets to ensure the family is in good health, we gather fascinating information on gorilla behaviour and demographics. We can identify each gorilla by their unique noseprint! They have recently enjoyed eating young bamboo shoots, and in coming months we plan to identify all the plant species your gorillas consume.

Chimanuka’s large family usually splits into three smaller groups – one led by the powerful silverback, while his sons Uhuru and Nabanga each take charge of a subgroup. You’ll be interested to hear that 11-year-old Marhale still stays close to his father Chimanuka. You might remember that, when he was just an 18-month-old baby, Marhale’s mother Makali was tragically killed when another silverback male tried to take over the family. With your help, superdad Chimanuka has successfully kept a careful eye on Marhale ever since.

Bya’ombe De-Dieu Balongelwa Gorilla monitoring & protection team Kahuzi Biega National Park

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© Associated Newspapers

A LEGACY OF LOVE This is a very special year for our charity, as we celebrate the life of our Co-Founder, Bill Travers MBE, who would have been 100 this year.

Bill had an abiding passion to expose captive wild animal suffering – his last years were spent cataloguing Europe’s slum zoos and fighting to end captive suffering. Bill’s unique brave spirit and devotion to a better world lives on through his legacy – inspiring Born Free to be a voice for wild animals exploited in captivity, to rescue and provide lifetime care for individuals in need, and to protect threatened species in the wild.

You too can leave a legacy like Bill’s. With a gift in your Will, we can continue to challenge keeping of wild animals in captivity and expose the wretched conditions in which so many still live. If you share Bill’s vision to keep wildlife in the wild, your legacy and impact on this world will live on to help ensure the future is a kinder place.

To leave a legacy of love, simply scan the QR code and follow the instructions on screen, or search ‘Born Free Leave a Gift’, and then: • Download our FREE practical guide on how to make or update your Will • Use our FREE Will writing service in partnership with Farewill to make or update your Will • Hear more about how your legacy could make a lifetime of difference.

© georgelogan.co.uk

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