Wild Life - Winter 2021 by BornFree

Winter 2021 | bornfree.org.uk

A WARM

Welcome

FROM WILL TRAVERS OBE

Why didn’t we think of it before? Combine Wild Life magazine with Adopt! All the news about our campaigns, conservation, rescue and care, education and policy initiatives – AND the latest on animals adopted by people all around the world, people like you (see page 22). Welcome to our very first bumper edition which puts all the Born Free family’s news together in one place! What better time to remind you of Christmas – could an animal adoption be your perfect gift? Or something from our shop? Or even a donation to our Christmas Save Africa’s Giants appeal in lieu of a present! As we approach the end of another challenging year, this issue of Wild Life brims with hope, optimism and ambition. I honestly don’t think we can rely on others to save and protect life on earth. It’s up to us! So, check out the extraordinary work we’re doing on so many levels.

Plus learn about our unique heritage and why we’re committed to a mission that prioritises the individual, challenges exploitation and suffering, and sets out a vision more and more people can believe in. My personal thanks to you for being such an important part of Born Free. Please share Wild Life, talk to friends, neighbours, colleagues and let’s build a community of hope in a world where compassion is in short supply! Thank you so much.

Executive President will@bornfree.org.uk @willtravers

COVER STORY It’s a BIG ask, but can you protect elephants and rare giraffes in our Meru National Park homeland in Kenya? Together, let’s help local people peacefully coexist with these huge herbivores (see page 16).

12 03

HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST WILD NEWS?

SHARE OUR VISION, ASKS WILL TRAVERS OBE

KEEPING RUDOLPH CAPTIVE: END THIS FESTIVE ABUSE!

WHY RESCUE & CARE ARE KEY TO BORN FREE

SHARING EDGY ISSUES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

OUR SAVE AFRICA’S GIANTS CHRISTMAS APPEAL

ADOPT TODAY: PERFECT GIFT FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

HOW IS YOUR ADOPTED ANIMAL GETTING ON?

Have You Heard? ALL THE LATEST FROM BORN FREE

RARE PRIMATES WIN BIG

“Our Awards Committee was so impressed by the quality of entrants we also awarded extra £1,000 grants to four runners up,” said Will Travers OBE. Kudos to Pei Su for conservation education in China, Julie Vanassche for sooty mangabey rescue in Liberia, Mariani Ramli for gibbon rehabilitation in Malaysia and Peggy Motsch’s African grey parrots rehabilitation in Cameroon.

We’re delighted to announce the launch of critically-acclaimed photographer George Logan’s Last Lions of Meru fund, devoted to lion conservation in Kenya. You can help by purchasing George’s landmark photographic opus, Lion: Pride Before the Fall, available as sumptuous hardback or new £10 ebook – the perfect stocking filler, plus limited edition prints and calendars – visit shop.bornfree.org.uk

Born Free and the RSPCA’s hard-hitting new report reveals exotic pets pose major risks to people and animals. “We call on the UK government to radically overhaul legislation on keeping wild animals as pets,” said our Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones. “As well as catastrophic animal health and welfare implications, this trade threatens rare species’ conservation, and is a risk to people’s health and safety.”

PET-DEMIC

THANKS GEORGE!

Congratulations to the six recipients of our prestigious McKenna-Travers Award for Conservation 2021, not least Fanny Minesi who received top prize of £10,000 for her outstanding work to protect bonobos in Congo. Nearly 18,000 of you voted in our new People’s Choice category, with resounding £5,000 winner Fernanda Abra, whose visionary bridges help spider monkeys cross busy roads in the Amazon.

YOUR TIGER FEAT! Thanks to your kind donations, over £50,000 has been raised for our Tigers in Crisis appeal. Your generosity will help keep wild tigers safe from poachers, stop their captive exploitation and provide expert care for rescued individuals.

Wild Life | Winter 2021

Have You Heard? TWO BROTHERS - ONE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

Two young forest elephants are on a 560-mile West African walkabout after their mother was killed by poachers, travelling from Guinea to Liberia. There is a big team effort to keep them safe, including our partners at ELRECO. “Their poignant story and perilous journey help highlight the plight of this critically endangered species,” said Born Free’s Head of Conservation Dr Nikki Tagg.

WORLD’S BIGGEST BOMA

ONLINE VET HUB

Born Free Kenya has built a supersize 500 metre night enclosure in Amboseli, Kenya to protect 300 Maasai people and their cattle and goats from predators. With two-metre mesh, plus solar lights, eco-friendly stoves and water storage, the ‘smart’ boma encourages coexistence with lions. Since 2010, we have reinforced 350 bomas, with not a single retaliatory lion killing reported in the area.

With first aid basics, diagnosis, treatment and diet, Born Free’s new series of videos helps veterinary professionals look after UK wildlife casualties from badgers to owls. Aimed at vet students, recent graduates and nurses, the online resource has been created by an expert team including wildlife rehabilitators and vets.

AT LAST! Puzha, the 4kg brown bear cub rescued in Russia in May 2020, has gone back to the wild. Too small to be released with the other orphans last autumn, thanks to your donations, our Orphan Bear Rescue Centre colleagues successfully released her back into the forest where she was born. They are now busy rehabilitating this year’s orphans.

HAVE YOU HEARD

Our team in Ethiopia helped confiscate three grivet monkeys illegally exploited at an amusement park near Addis Ababa. “They were kept tethered to interact with visitors,” said Bereket Girma, Head of our Ensessa Kotteh rescue centre, “but we drove 43 miles to collect them and they’re now recovering in our care.” With your help, our recent Safe Haven appeal raised over £30,000 for our vital centre.

MONKEY RESCUE

TURTLES SWIM FREE Thanks to your reports sent to Born Free, two loggerhead turtles kept in terrible conditions at an aquarium in Sardinia, Italy have returned to the ocean. “It’s been a long road, but Genoveffa and Gavino finally have the chance of freedom,” said our Captivity Campaigns Information Coordinator Sarah Jefferson. “This is a great example of how concerned tourists speaking out can have a massive impact.” Report captive suffering to bornfree.org.uk/ raise-the-red-flag

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

RUN WILD

Twenty months since his dramatic rescue from a closed zoo, it’s thrilling to see camera trap footage of Mowgli – a rare melanistic leopard – becoming braver at our sanctuary at Shamwari, South Africa. “Mowgli is now three years old and our shy boy is getting so comfortable close to the camera,” said Animal Care Manager Glen Vena. “It’s such a wonderful change from when he first arrived.”

Huge thanks to our London Marathon squad who smashed their target and raised over £11,000 in October. “I cried when I crossed the finish line,” said team member Ritchi Edwards. “It’s an honour to run for the Born Free family.” From fun runs to ultra, there’s a race for you! Visit bornfree.org.uk/run-wild

FOLK MEETS CLASSICAL We’d love you to join us for a concert in aid of Born Free on 18th December 2021, Cecil Sharp House, London NW1. Freedom to Roam is the launch of a stunning new album by our Patron, flautist Eliza Marshall, and world class musicians. £25 or £80 VIP with pre-concert event – visit bornfree.org.uk/events/ freedom-to-roam

I’VE GOT A NEW NAME! Following a public poll, Covi the cheetah cub has been renamed ‘Barega’, in honour of Ethiopian runner Selemon Barega. Rescued last year with sister Pollyanna from the illegal pet trade, the youngster lives at our rescue centre in Ethiopia. “Thanks to Cheetah Family adopters, we’ll give the one-year-old expert care for life,” said our Acting Head of Rescue & Care Dr Stephanie Jayson.

LION SOS Our team in Kenya rushed to save Moja the lion, when he was spotted with a snare tight around his neck in Meru National Park. Treated by a Kenya Wildlife Service vet, he has healed well – the remarkable 11-year-old controls two prides. Our lifesaving work continues to clear Meru of these deadly traps.

Wild Life | Winter 2021

THROUGH HARD WORK AND YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT, WE WON’T STOP UNTIL WE ACHIEVE OUR DREAM OF A WORLD WITHOUT EXPLOITATION, EXPLAINS WILL TRAVERS.

BORN FREE’S VISION

HOW BEST TO SUM UP BORN FREE? I BELIEVE IT’S THE INDIVIDUAL. EACH ANIMAL MATTERS. EACH SUPPORTER MATTERS. EACH LIFE SAVED MATTERS.

Our principled opposition to the exploitation of wild animals will never, ever end. That is my promise to you.

I was asked the other day to sum up Born Free. Goodness me, quite a task to condense 37 years of work into five minutes… But then I thought about it. There are other wildlife charities, so what is it that makes Born Free different? I believe it’s the individual. Each animal matters. Each supporter matters. Each life saved matters. Kimba, the lioness rescued many years ago from a tiny cage in a hilltop Italian village. Standing on a metre-high pile of rotting food, plastic bags and excrement. She came into our care but, briefly, before her cancer-riddled body gave way. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Rocky, Missie and Silver, three of the UK’s last captive dolphins, rescued in the early 1990’s by Born Free and a coalition including British Divers Marine Life Rescue and given the chance of freedom in the azure waters of the Caribbean. A project that started with £500 and, in the end, cost £400,000. Was it worth it? One hundred percent – not only for those three animals, but because it was the last nail in the coffin of the UK’s captive dolphin industry. We have been a dolphin-free zone ever since. Our campaign against the exploitation of wild animals in circuses started in 1994, and culminated in a legal UK ban, 25 years later. Thousands of hours of committee meetings, circus visits, parliamentary hearings… we could have given up, but no! All the while, public support grew until it was overwhelming. The crack of the circus whip, the clang of the gates and the frankly ridiculous spectacle of big cats jumping through hoops of fire are no more. We’ve applied the same determination to ending the bloody ivory trade, the capture of wild elephants for zoos, and keeping primates as pets (not over but under scrutiny).

Every one of those campaigns (and many more) looked at the issue on two levels. The big-picture stuff; like changing the law, amending international treaties, bringing exploitative industries to an end. And the minutest details, seen from the animals’ perspective. We always ask; how can our action today reduce and hopefully eliminate suffering tomorrow? It started with Elsa the lioness. Pole Pole the elephant become the standard bearer. Now every animal we save or protect is their living legacy, the reason we do what we do. And what of the future? I cannot get the image of trophy-hunted animals out of my mind. Individuals, with family, friends, despatched with a bullet, an arrow or even a spear, for human entertainment. Those who support this ‘sport’ relentlessly try to dehumanise the process. They talk of economics, or employment, of conservation, intentionally trying to move discussion away from the moral vacuum in which it exists. I, for one, won’t be deflected. Trophy hunting is a moral outrage. If it employs a modest number of people, we must find alternatives. If it generates a small amount of revenue for local communities, we must look to other sources to finance development. If it means some wild land is set aside for wildlife, where a wealthy, entitled elite come to trophy hunt, then we must innovate and find sustainable ways to ensure that land is protected for wildlife and local people, without resorting to killing. Of course, Born Free will never forget its roots. Our principled opposition to circuses, zoos, the exploitation of wild animals as pets, trapping, the fur trade, the use of live animals by the entertainment industry, the protection of flagship species and their natural habitats, the empowerment of local communities in pursuit of humane, human development will never, ever end. That is my promise to you. We are here for the long-haul and, ultimately, we will win. Born Free – the Spirit of Elsa – and all that stands for, is on the right side of history.

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

SOME OF MY HEROES I am continually inspired by those who went before – my father Bill, George and Joy Adamson, Alejandro Nadal and so many more – and those who lead us today, not least Virginia! Wild Life | Winter 2021

YOU CAN HELP Pledge never to visit an event featuring live reindeer.

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR EXPLOITATION? CHRIS LEWIS REPORTS ON THE CRUEL USE OF REINDEER FOR THE SAKE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND CALLS FOR MORE COMPASSION COUNTRYWIDE. Christmas is coming but so, sadly, is the exploitation of hundreds of captive reindeer at festive displays and events across the UK. Born Free’s research has uncovered at least 597 of these specialised Arctic deer featured in animal exhibition licenses in England, or on performing animal registers in Scotland and Wales.

KEEPING RUDOLPH CAPTIVE

This Christmas, many of these reindeer will be taken to noisy fairs, fetes, shopping precincts and garden centres across the UK, to the detriment of their welfare. One licensee stated they could transport their reindeer anywhere in the UK, whilst another operator provided reindeer for off-site exhibition – away from their home environment – for up to eight weeks. Whilst the use of wild animals in circuses is thankfully now prohibited in England, Scotland and Wales and the poor welfare they experience widely acknowledged, the well-being of individuals exploited for other types of exhibit or performance has not been equally considered. Yet animals may be subjected to unnatural, cruel husbandry and training, to make them more amenable to display.

YOU CAN HELP Reindeer are naturally gregarious, herd-forming, wide-ranging animals with a complex wild diet. Some European herds travel more than 800 miles in a year (3,000 miles in North America), across the tundra. Yet despite reindeers’ natural social grouping, over 25% of operators report keeping just two individuals. In captivity, they are often fed a diet very different from the lichens, mosses and mushrooms typically grazed on during autumn and winter periods in wild habitats. Our findings indicate reindeer being fed inappropriate food items, often resulting in weight loss and poor body condition. At public events, reindeer are regularly exposed to highly stressful and unnatural situations, repeatedly confined to small enclosures during transport or display. Reindeer, like other prey species when stressed or threatened in the wild, group together seeking protection from their herd, but at events they are typically kept in small pens in small numbers, only increasing their stress. “It might seem like a lot of fun when you’re out Christmas shopping,” said veterinarian Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at Born Free. “But, displays involving reindeer and other ‘festive’ animals such as penguins are no fun for the animals. The ban on wild animals in circuses is very welcome, but urgently needs to be extended. Please help bring these cruel displays to an end.”

Report any reindeer exploitation via our Raise the Red Flag online platform bornfree.org.uk/raisethe-red-flag and complain to the event organisers.

REINDEER FACTS THEY CAN HAVE RED NOSES DUE TO DENSE BLOOD VESSELS! WILD IN GREENLAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA, ALASKA & CANADA KNOWN AS ‘CARIBOU’ IN NORTH AMERICA BOTH MALE AND FEMALE GROW ANTLERS LARGE HAIRY HOOVES GIVE GOOD GRIP ON ICE FORM SUPER-HERDS OF UP TO 500,000 ANIMALS TOP SPEEDS UP TO 48MPH

Born Free is calling on the UK government and Scottish and Welsh parliaments to prohibit the use of wild animals for exhibition or performance. We encourage event organisers, media and individuals to pledge not to use or promote wild animals for exhibition, and boycott facilities that do. If we can reduce the public’s appetite for such uses, it will go a long way to reducing animal suffering.

Chris Lewis Captivity Research Officer clewis@bornfree.org.uk

AT PUBLIC EVENTS, REINDEER ARE REGULARLY EXPOSED TO HIGHLY STRESSFUL AND UNNATURAL SITUATIONS, REPEATEDLY CONFINED TO SMALL ENCLOSURES DURING TRANSPORT OR DISPLAY.

FIND OUT MORE Visit bornfree.org.uk/animalsentertainment to support our campaigns and read our new Exhibition or Exploitation? report about wild animals exploited in UK displays.

Wild Life | Winter 2021

VIRGINIA MCKENNA RECALLS A SHOCKING VISIT TO A DEPARTMENT STORE IN BANGKOK AND URGES THAI AUTHORITIES TO SHUT THIS TERRIBLE ZOO DOWN AND REHOME THE ANIMALS. In 2006 I went, with Alison Hood – a colleague at the Born Free Foundation – to Thailand. We had a list of places we wanted to visit. Our priority was the zoo on the top two floors of the Pata Department Store in Bangkok. My report on our unforgettable, horrendous experience was published in the winter edition of our magazine. It is to my horror that, all these years later, nothing has really changed despite our best efforts. Bua Noi, the gorilla, is still there, incarcerated in a concrete barred cage since 1983. The recent article I read states there are bears, tigers, leopards, jackals, birds, orangutans, pythons and albino Burmese pythons, (the latter breeding abundantly it seems). New life for permanent incarceration. I could write a book about this fearful place – but I don’t want to write, I want to do something. I am calling on Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Ministry of Natural Resources to close this prison for ever – and never allow the owner to keep wild animals in captivity ever again. When the conditions of the imprisoned creatures are so clearly cruel and terrible, how could anyone with a glimmer of understanding allow this? A piece I recently read online stated: ‘The zoo is divided into two parts – upper and lower hell’, and don’t imagine it is accepted

CLOSE THIS PRISON

by everyone in Thailand. Animal rights activists there have charged the zoo owner with the inhumane treatment of animals. I don’t understand the ‘logic’ of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, which stated it could not withdraw the licence as the zoo ‘has not done anything wrong’. That the Wildlife and Conservation Act did not forbid animals from being caged in high rise buildings, so no law was violated. If this is an example of human beings’ respect for other forms of life, I can find no words to express my disgust and horror. Kindness to animals is surely one of the most profound and important of the lessons we should learn. Cruelty and indifference which cause unspeakable suffering should never be acceptable, and deserves our strongest condemnation. The sights and sounds of that visit fifteen years ago have returned to haunt me...

Virginia McKenna OBE Co-Founder & Trustee

YOU CAN HELP Support our work to end global captive suffering at bornfree.org.uk/take-global-action

FOUR BIG CATS Remember the lockdown lions? Plans to give Angela, Bellone, Louga and Saïda a new home at our sanctuary in South Africa have been on hold due to COVID-19. But, with travel restrictions started to ease, we hope they’ll be on their way as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, our care team at Shamwari is busy making final preparations to welcome the four new arrivals. Our sanctuary is already home to 12 lions and four leopards rescued from circuses, zoos and private owners around the world. Thanks for all you do to help us care for them!

Aided by your donations, we’re working hard to secure flights and re-apply for permits. The four lions had a difficult start to life, performing in a circus. But, as you can see, they’re thriving at their tranquil temporary home with our Tonga Terre d’Accueil colleagues in France.

FIND OUT MORE Visit bornfree.org.uk for the latest news

FOUR LITTLE CATS Plans are also underfoot to rehome four rescued servals, kept illegally as pets in Belgium. These beautiful, long-limbed spotted cats are currently under the expert care of our Natuurhulpcentrum partners but, we have a wonderful plan in mind!

We want to give the four boys – Kinrooi and Mechelen aged two, four-year-old Roeselare and Diepenbeek aged one – the glorious, spacious lifetime home they deserve in the Born Free section of Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.

YOU CAN HELP Visit bornfree.org.uk/serval-rescue to find out more and help transform four servals’ lives.

Wild Life | Winter 2021

ONE OF A KIND

EVERY SINGLE ANIMAL IS PRECIOUS AND, THANKS TO YOUR PASSIONATE SUPPORT, BORN FREE IS A RESCUE AND CARE CHAMPION, EXPLAINS DR STEPHANIE JAYSON.

Wherever possible, we release rescued individuals back to the wild where they belong. Sadly, however, many are too damaged by their experiences to survive alone so we instead give expert care at our sanctuaries and rescue centres. Here, each can live out their days in a spacious, natural environment, enveloped by the peace and respect they deserve. In 1987, after a successful fundraising appeal, Born Free carried out our very first rescue, relocating six tigers from a squalid circus trailer in Kent to a 15-acre forest sanctuary in India. Fast-forward to 2021, when our work came full circle and we gave 15-year-old Sandro the tiger a home at Animanatura Wild Sanctuary in Italy.

ONE OF A KIND

Sandro had suffered in a barren cage at Ayamonte Zoo, Spain, until it finally closed in 2019 following years of our campaigning with Spanish colleagues. He was carefully looked after by our friends at Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium, before his painstakingly orchestrated move to Italy this April.

Sandro in Italy

Like you, Born Free believes every animal counts. Rescuing vulnerable wild animals from appalling captive conditions where they’ve been exploited, or those injured or orphaned in the wild, sits at the heart of our work. But why such effort and expense for a relative few?

YOU CAN HELP

Over the years, Born Free has directly rescued many hundreds of animals, not least dozens of big cats. We also support countless thousands of other rescues through our annual grant programmes plus emergency funds to partners worldwide – from fox cubs in the UK, to apes in Cameroon, elephants in Sri Lanka and bear cubs in Russia. But, rescue is logistically complex, from ensuring animals are fit to travel, to securing necessary import and export permits, and organising safe transport.

Visit bornfree.org.uk/adopt or see page 20 to adopt your own animal today!

Not only must we identify a suitable home with the highest possible standards, but we must also secure funding to care for an animal for its entire life – which could be 20 years or more. This may involve setting up an adoption, or creating a lifetime care package – which is why your help is invaluable! Meanwhile, rehabilitation to the wild can be a lengthy process, carefully managed to ensure the best outcome. After we rescued bottlenose dolphins Tom and Misha from a small, dirty pool in Turkey in 2010, it took nearly two years of intensive training in a special sea-pen with our Turkish partners SAD before they were ready to be released into the Mediterranean in May 2012.

HOW MANY BORN FREE RESCUES?

There are so many important steps to ensure each individual has the good life they deserve. But they are absolutely worth it. And we also ensure each rescue story gets as much publicity as possible, to highlight the plight of countless other animals in similar need. So now, it’s your turn! If you too are devoted to rescue and care, which animal will you adopt this Christmas?! © J Foster

5 DOLPHINS 50 LIONS 19 TIGERS 12 LEOPARDS 19 CHEETAHS 80 TORTOISES

Dr Stephanie Jayson Acting Head of Rescue & Care & Veterinarian stephanie@bornfree.org.uk

TARNYA’S BUSY YEAR “Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day! Since January I’ve rescued over 160 animals including hedgehogs, barn owlets, fox cubs and rabbits, most of whom were returned to the wild. Knowing I’m giving an animal a second chance keeps me motivated.” Tarnya Knight Rescue & Care Coordinator tarnya@bornfree.org.uk

UK RESCUE Born Free’s small grants programme supports wildlife centres nationwide, not least Pricklebums Hedgehog Rescue in Shropshire. If a centre near to you might be interested, please contact Tarnya. Wild Life | Winter 2021

WE ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPLORE AND LOVE THE WILD, BUT DON’T SHY AWAY FROM DEBATING MORE CONTROVERSIAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES, EXPLAINS LAURA GOSSET.

A key step we can all take on the path towards better protecting wildlife, is to understand the impact we each have and the role we can play. This understanding can stem from learning about wildlife and the environment, and developing feelings of love and respect. This year, our education team has been busy creating new projects and ways to reach a wider audience, both inside and outside the classroom.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT

FRESH AIR THINKING Born Free partnered with Get Creative Outdoors, a campaign supported by the BBC, to help people from all walks of life engage with low cost, creative activities outside. This included open air events to promote wildlife and habitat protection, not least our Last Chance to Paint and Where Did All the Animals Go art projects.

CONTENTIOUS ISSUES OUR EXTENSIVE, CURRICULUM-BASED RESOURCES HELP TEACHERS BRING THE SUBJECT TO LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM.

Across the globe, cattle farming can be extremely damaging and lead to pollution, habitat destruction, greenhouse gas emissions and ocean ‘dead zones’. In turn, this has a devastating impact on species as diverse as jaguars, Atlantic cod and the maned wolf. In September we launched our third Great Debate, asking school pupils: What does the future look like for cattle farming? Our extensive, curriculum-based resources help teachers bring the subject to life in the classroom and engage students in meaningful debate – visit bornfree.org.uk/education

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

SPEAK OUT

You can look out for wild animals in captivity, encourages our Youth Ambassador and award-winning soprano, Katie Marshall.

As people begin to travel again after months of lockdown, we can all make a difference through Born Free’s Raise the Red Flag campaign. Hundreds of thousands of wild animals are kept in captivity around the world, many in abysmal situations, and it’s easy to feel powerless to help.

AND THE WINNER IS... Our very first Youth Wildlife Filmmaker and Photographer of the Year Competition had some amazing entries. We encouraged young people to step back from their screens and observe wildlife – with all the immeasurable mental health benefits that come from connecting with nature. Congrats to our winners: • Hattie, from the Midlands (16 & under photo) • Sara, from Dumfries (16 & under film) • Henry, from the South East (11 & under photo) • Thea, from the North East (11 & under film)

FIND OUT MORE Visit: bornfree.org.uk/ kids-competition to enjoy all the winning entries.

“Now you can raise concerns through Raise the Red Flag and your reports can bring about positive change. Without people speaking out and sharing what they have witnessed, zoos, captive facilities and even country authorities will never have cause to change, meaning animals will continue to suffer.

YOU CAN HELP Report captive wild animal exploitation and find out more at bornfree.org.uk/raise-the-red-flag

Wild Life | Winter 2021

In the heartlands of Meru, giraffes and elephants live side by side, two giants towering over the landscape. Their numbers have barely recovered from historic lows in the 1970s-80s, when ruthless poachers decimated wildlife, yet today these vast vegetarians face deadly peril once again. Illegal hunting and humanwildlife conflict are pushing elephants and giraffes to the brink, but you can pull them back from the abyss. Human settlements and agricultural fields have slowly encircled Meru, squeezing elephants into smaller spaces and preventing movement through migratory corridors. Competition has increased for precious resources, not least water, becoming ever scarcer as the impacts of climate change take hold. As their habitat shrinks, Meru’s elephants are forced into closer contact with local communities, resulting in dangerous and even deadly encounters due to crop raiding and reciprocal attacks. With hundreds of ‘conflict events’ recorded each year, people and elephants are losing their lives. As conflict increases, tolerance decreases and attitudes towards elephants and other large fauna worsens, reducing communities’ ability to coexist with wildlife. Illegal activities are simultaneously driven up, as aggrieved individuals are more inclined to turn a blind eye, or even become involved themselves. 16

OUR GIANT APPEAL

IT’S A SMALL ASK TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE! YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER CAN TURN THE TIDE FOR THE GIANTS OF MERU, EXPLAINS PENNY BANHAM.

To donate to our Christmas Save Africa’s Giants appeal visit bornfree.org.uk/ save-africas-giants or call 40 01 3 240170.

Since the Covid pandemic began, there has been a huge surge in illegal hunting in Meru. Lethal snares, made from wire, are found ubiquitously within protected areas, waiting to entrap their victims. Tragically, with their long limbs picking their way through the undergrowth, giraffes can be especially vulnerable. Snares cause unbearable wounds, leavings giraffes permanently injured and much more susceptible to predation or slow death from their injuries.

LET’S TURN THE TIDE FOR GIRAFFES AND ELEPHANTS AND STAND TALL FOR THE GIANTS OF AFRICA!

MAGICAL MERU Location: 1,930 square mile area, 180 miles northeast of Kenya’s capital Nairobi Born Free heritage: In 1958, Elsa the lioness was returned to the wild in Meru Turbulent history: Poaching became rife in 1970s and wild species annihilated Our mission: Steadily restoring the park with Kenya Wildlife Service since 2014 Our impact: Lions and rhinos now on the up, next focus elephants and giraffes! Elephants: 500 survive in park today, an 85% decline from pre poaching figures

Rare giraffes: Home to 1,400 reticulated, one of the most endangered species.

But, there is tangible hope in Meru. Our conservation work for lions and rhinos has already had a big impact in the park and we are now turning our attention to elephants and giraffes. Our major new conservation programme, Saving Meru’s Giants, is determined to address the threats to elephants and giraffe. Our ultimate, practical vision is to create an environment for coexistence between people and these huge herbivores. Our goals are ambitious, their scale vast. We will monitor and identify elephants and giraffes using cutting edge tech including camera traps, expanding our knowledge about these iconic species. To tackle human-elephant conflict, we will implement community-led, naturebased solutions such as fences’ of bee hives to deter elephants and generate income. This will go hand-in-hand with efforts to increase awareness through workshops and a local team of

Elephant Guardians, who will implement effective and simple solutions to conflict within communities. They will work side by side with our Twiga Team (Twiga is Swahili for giraffe), who will remove snares. In the longer term we will halt habitat degradation and revive degraded ecosystems, ensuring countless wild species can flourish. Are you a conservation optimist? Do you share our vision for Born Free’s heartland? Let’s turn the tide for giraffes and elephants and stand tall for the giants of Africa by donating to our Christmas appeal today. Visit bornfree.org.uk/save-africas-giants

SCAN ME Penny Banham Conservation Projects Officer penny@bornfree.org.uk

Wild Life | Winter 2021

WE ARE THRILLED TO INTRODUCE OUR NEWLY RECRUITED TEAM, TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT MERU’S RARE GIANTS, WITH YOUR SUPPORT. DR NIKKI TAGG REPORTS. Taking the lead in our remarkable new elephant and giraffe project in Kenya is Newton Simiyu – a Kenyan conservationist with nine years’ experience, not least as part of our Pride of Meru team since 2015. Newton has been instrumental in this lion monitoring programme, with a focus on individual identification and community initiatives. It’s been exciting to watch him excel and grow, his leadership qualities now ready to be put to work – Newton is perfect to head our team! “I have a steady motivation that drives me to do my best,” he said. “Conservation is so important in Kenya, to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural world and diverse species that live here.” Newton will be supported by Francis Kago, our new Project Officer, with over five years’ active research experience in Kenya, including Save The Elephants and WWF-Kenya.

Born close to Lake Nakuru National Park, Francis feels an affinity with wildlife and the urgent need to prevent the loss of our great, keystone mammals. “Conservation is paramount for every human being.” Francis is so inspired by the way elephants and giraffes fit perfectly within nature – their key ecological roles, their ideal adaptation to their environment. His outgoing and positive nature will be invaluable to us all. Living and working in a remote national park is not easy, as our new recruits embark on this challenging chapter of their careers, working towards a goal of national and global importance. Come with us on this exciting journey, as Newton and Francis jump in and find their feet in this mega new conservation initiative. Together, our work can begin in earnest to Save Meru’s Giants.

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

“CONSERVATION IS SO IMPORTANT IN KENYA, TO ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY THE NATURAL WORLD.”

To donate to our Christmas Save Africa’s Giants appeal visit bornfree.org.uk/ save-africas-giants or call 01403 240170.

Meet Newton Simiyu

“CONSERVATION IS PARAMOUNT FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING.” …and Francis Kago

MEET THE NEW TEAM

MUST HAVE NEW DESIGNS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE T-SHIRTS, HOODIES, SWEATERS, KIDS WEAR, TOTE BAGS. In celebration of our iconic Co-Founder Virginia McKenna OBE’s 90th year, we’re proud to launch our NEW Virginia range. All print on demand – recyclable, sustainable, ethically sourced and so stylish!

As a charity, we always focus on reducing our environmental impact, so are delighted to announce our new partnership with Teemill. A pioneering sustainable business, Teemill only uses organic materials and renewable energy powered factories, to create your Born Free T-shirts. No more waste, so more of your funds support our work to help wild animals!

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VISIT SHOPBORNFREE.ORG.UK

RENEWABLE TEEMILL

CHRISTMAS MADE EASY!

Every year, 100 billion new items of clothing are produced, with a truckful burned or buried in a landfill every second. Now, Teemill takes this waste to make new clothing! All products and packaging made from natural materials. Every product is designed to be sent back to Teemill when worn out. New Born Free items are created from recovered materials – products can be returned and remade, again and again.

Visit our Born Free shop for our full range of Christmas gifts, including our first ever e-Christmas card, beautifully curated by our Executive President, Will Travers, and a choice of three stunning 2022 calendars: shop.bornfree.org.uk

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GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS

Who will you adopt today? The perfect gift for animal lovers everywhere, you can choose a rescued lion, tiger or chimp in a sanctuary, or a close-knit family of elephants, gorillas or orcas living in the wild. Your adoption could provide an orphan orangutan, bear cub or pangolin with daily food and care, or support the vital conservation of endangered giraffes, rhinos or wolves.

LIKE TO TRANSFORM THE LIFE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN NEED? WANT TO HELP ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF AN ENTIRE SPECIES? THERE’S A BEAUTIFUL BORN FREE ANIMAL FOR EVERYONE!

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YOU CAN HELP Take a look at our animal updates from page 22 to 31, choose your favourite animals, then visit bornfree.org.uk/adopt or call 01403 240170 to adopt today.

When you adopt, you’ll become part of a global network of people passionate about the wild world, who want to make a positive difference. Wild Life | Winter 2021

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

KING THE LION © Jessica Tyrer

BORN FREE’S SANCTUARY, SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA

THE GIRAFFE FAMILY MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA Meru is a hotspot for reticulated giraffes in Kenya. In small herds, these skyscrapers forage on leaves across the plains, between tall palms and acacia trees lining streams. Their excellent eyesight and gregarious nature allow for increased vigilance against predators. “The giraffe’s height makes it easy to spot,” explains Mr Githinji Muraya, Senior Warden of Meru National Park. “In our recent census, 420 individuals were counted in Meru and 109 in neighbouring Kora park. We remain committed to their conservation with emphasis on the security of those outside the parks.” Using these numbers as a baseline and after six years working for Born Free’s Pride of Meru lion conservation project, I will head our brand new Saving Meru’s Giants team, assisted by Francis Kago. The programme seeks to understand giraffe distribution and habitat use. We will conduct a threat analysis and closely monitor individuals to develop an identification database. This will enable us to identify threats, evaluate population increases, establish the ecosystem’s carrying capacity and develop a sustainable model for human-giraffe coexistence. With adopters’ help, now is the time to act for giraffes! Newton Simiyu Head of Saving Meru’s Giants, Born Free Kenya

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King is now a handsome young adult, who spends his days basking in the sun with affectionate companion Thea – also rescued as a cub in France. The loving pair only move to shelter under bushes when it gets very hot. With your support, King is in excellent health and growing well – his mane is a beauty to behold! A few months ago, he had a small operation to carefully remove two small benign growths from his face and nose but, has recovered well. Today King is confident, curious and observant. His relaxed approach to life is that of an animal at peace with nature. What a contrast to the terrified, half-starved cub found cowering in a small dirty cage. Thank you for helping care for him! In the mornings and evenings, we enjoy watching him patrol his territory, closely followed by Thea. King scent-marks as he goes with a spray of urine – just as a lion would in the wild. It does your heart good to see him behaving like a king, with his great roar echoing through Shamwari’s mountains. Glen Vena Animal Care Manager Born Free

THEIR STORY 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

THE RHINO FAMILY MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA With the invaluable support of adopters, Meru continues to be a vibrant breeding ground for rhinos but, they can be tricky to spot! White rhinos graze on grasses on Meru’s savannah plains, but black rhinos browse on trees and bushes, hidden amongst the park’s dense thorny bushland. After the disastrous poaching in Meru four decades ago, Kenya Wildlife Service has been committed to restoring and protecting the park’s key species, aided by Born Free since 2014. Today, Meru is an important hotspot for wildlife conservation in Kenya and you will be delighted to hear the park has welcome ten new rhino births this year – two black and eight white.

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

SARA THE CHIMP

The incredible female Tana has done it again. She has consistently given birth every two years – crowning her the official rhino queen and a vital pillar in the gradual recovery of rhino numbers. The exemplary dedication to duty by Kenya Wildlife Service rangers deployed at Meru Park rhino sanctuary has ensured maximum protection and thus made the sanctuary a vibrant breeding ground. So, thanks to your support, Meru rhinos continue to thrive. Newton Simiyu Head of Saving Meru’s Giants, Born Free Kenya

NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY, UGANDA Sara clearly loves three things: living on Ngamba’s tropical forest, the great variety of food, plus fun and games with the other rescued chimpanzees. Feeding time is an opportunity to combine all three! Chimp society is hierarchical and Sara’s rank continues to improve. She has a lot of confidence and, at a recent morning feed, spotted the caregivers with a big piece of ripe avocado. The older female Katie ran and caught the fruit, but cheeky Sara tried to tackle her. Katie is a big adult and kept her ground, so Sara yelled for the high-ranking males who often come to her aid. But to her annoyance they were too busy eating to respond!

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: 13 years

All the orphans had their annual health check. With 52 chimps, this is a big undertaking by the veterinary team, led by sanctuary manager Dr Titus Mukungu. Fortunately, all the chimps including Sara passed with flying colours and tested negative for Covid – fantastic news! Interestingly, Sara was the start of my conservation journey, rescued as a baby just before I first volunteered as a student here, back in 2012. Dorothy Basemera Rukundo Guest Relations & Partnership Officer, Chimpanzee Trust Wild Life | Winter 2021

THE ELEPHANT FAMILY AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, KENYA

When Edwina came back in early July, we were delighted to find her with a new calf – another daughter – probably born late May. With this her eighth calf, Edwina is one of our most successful females and, at only 39, has at least six more years of reproductive life ahead of her. With her daughters Elana, Europa, Elif and Elaine all reproducing as well, Edwina is also a grandmother six times over. Remarkable! As she becomes older, Edwina is spending less time with her wider family. With 70 odd members in the three sections of the EBs – a ten-fold increase on Echo's original family size – there is no way the entire family could stay together all the time. Seeing how Echo's daughters have thrived shows how well elephants have done in Amboseli. With your help, our fight is – as always – to protect habitat to allow future elephant generations to do the same! Dr Vicki Fishlock Resident Scientist, Amboseli Trust for Elephants

Supported by adopters, Edwina’s part of the EB family continues to flourish, although our team didn't see them for several months. They were no doubt using richer resources across the wider Amboseli ecosystem.

THEIR STORY 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.

GOPAL THE TIGER BANNERGHATTA TIGER SANCTUARY, INDIA Gopal is such a charismatic tiger at our tiger sanctuary in southern India. He can usually be spotted peeking through the thick foliage of the tropical ‘dry’ deciduous forest species within his enclosure. Gopal is an imposing sight as he strolls around his ‘territory’. Your adopted tiger likes to spend several hours of each day exploring and patrolling his home, always listening with his immensely sharp hearing to any sound from birdsong to insects chirping.

Gopal’s care team, provided by our Wildlife SOS colleagues, ensures he is kept mentally and physically stimulated using specially crafted enrichment. This includes climbing platforms to get a good view of his surroundings, plus a pool to bathe in – tigers love to keep cool in water in the hottest part of the day. The team also hangs food items in trees and lays scent trails to encourage natural tracking instincts.

GOPAL’S STORY

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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

Veterinarians keep a close eye on Gopal’s health, providing health examinations, blood tests, dental treatments, vaccinations, and worming treatment. With your support, these regular check-ups ensure he’s in the best possible health for an 11-year-old big cat! Dr Arun A Sha Director, Research & Veterinary Operations, Wildlife SOS

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

THE BROWN BEAR ORPHANS ORPHAN BEAR RESCUE CENTRE, RUSSIA It’s been a busy year with a total of 14 cubs arriving at our centre, so we are grateful for your support. Nine were orphaned when their mothers were scared from their dens by logging, and five were found alone – in villages, a scrapyard, a forest and by a busy road.

The cubs were kept warm and bottle-fed milk formula, then trained to self-feed on porridge with eggs. Wooden furniture stimulated physical development. In late spring, when cubs naturally follow their mother out of the den, they were moved to forest enclosures. Over the summer they learned to look for wild food such as berries and grasses, and explored the woodland, using their den-house during inclement weather.

SPRINGER THE ORCA HANSON ISLAND, JOHNSON STRAIT, CANADA We are delighted to tell you that not only is your adopted orca Springer doing well, but so are her babies, Spirit and Storm. We are especially delighted to see that Storm is clearly thriving, as there were a few concerns last year when Springer’s younger baby appeared a little thin. So, it was fantastic news that Storm survived last winter and is now past the tricky first few years of orca life. Such a relief and a testament to Springer’s abilities as a mother.

In June, the orphaned cub Puzha – rescued late last year but too small to be released – returned to the wild after overwintering at our centre. We released her in June, in the Komi Republic where she was born. Visit Born Free’s website for Puzha’s full story and the latest on all the orphans rescued this year and now starting to be returned to the wild, thanks to your adoption. Katya Pazhetnova Wildlife Biologist & Centre Specialist Orphan Bear Rescue Centre

As ever, OrcaLab is deeply grateful for the support received from Springer’s adopters, which makes so much of our work protecting orcas possible – this year enabling the trusty workhorse vessel June Cove to keep doing the vital service she has been performing for over two decades! Dr Paul Spong and Helena Symonds Co-Directors, OrcaLab

The family came into OrcaLab’s monitoring area in the summer before heading back north. On arrival, they were accompanied by close relatives. To help monitor the orcas as they travel through the area, we live streamed underwater cameras including one based at the Strider rubbing beach, where the orcas enjoyed rubbing on smooth pebbles. The resulting footage made very happy viewing!

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.

TIMTOM'S STORY 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: six years

TIMTOM THE ORANGUTAN

CAMP JL RELEASE CAMP, LAMANDAU WILDLIFE RESERVE INDONESIA, BORNEO The forests of Lamandau Wildlife Reserve provide a safe environment for Timtom and 600 other orangutans. Over the years there have been over 190 births here, including nine since last year – good news for this critically endangered species. Timtom still prefers to play on the ground than climb trees, rolling around and throwing sandy soil over herself. When put into a tree, she climbs down then hangs onto her carer’s leg. But, they ignore her and, soon bored, she goes to play with campmate Adib. Timtom still isn’t interested in nest making but, is adept at foraging for forest food – a good sign she’s progressing. Her diet comprises largely of fruit, plus occasional insects and tree bark. Although semi-solitary when mature in the wild, youngsters love to play together and Timtom playfights with the other orphans in the trees. With your help, our goal is for all orphans to have an independent life but, this takes many years. So, each day, our team take Timtom further into the forest to encourage her to play there with the other orangutans. Ashley Leiman Director, Orangutan Foundation

THE CHEETAH FAMILY ENSESSA KOTTEH RESCUE CENTRE, ETHIOPIA When the sun is out, it does your heart good to see Timkat and the three siblings Hissy Spitty, Namazzi and Dember, stalk each other, run, roll around and sleep in the lush grass. Feisty female Hissy Spitty is often the instigator of play, disturbing the others as they snooze by gently nudging their paws or trying to ‘catch’ their tails. Timkat usually gives in, followed by Namazzi and Dember, and the four run around in an energetic game of chase. Meanwhile sisters Tamu and Nura enjoy climbing lowhanging tree branches, scent-marking as they go with their cheeks, bodies, and hind paws. Pollyanna and her brother Barega (recently renamed in a Born Free poll) – rescued as cubs last March – have grown enormously and are mostly seen playing. We are so sad to report the passing of male cheetah, Dembel after a short illness. Rescued from the illegal wildlife trade as a cub in 2011, it’s a big comfort to know he enjoyed ten years of care at Ensessa Kotteh. He will be greatly missed by us all. Bereket Girma Head of Centre Born Free

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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 2020 Age today: From one to 11 years

PARLY THE MOON BEAR ANIMAL ASIA’S BEAR RESCUE CENTRE, TAM DAO, VIETNAM Amicable Parly loves nothing better than playing with his friends and exploring. To commemorate this Olympic year, your adopted bear has been practising a range of sports, including football (or perhaps rugby!), swimming and climbing. Bears are intelligent, inquisitive animals, so this is great enrichment for your adopted bear. Parly also took his cool-down seriously, enjoying the breeze from the ceiling fans in his den during hot weather.

You’ll be happy to hear Parly was in good health, weighing in at an impressive 214kg! He needed a little bit of dentistry, with a cracked lower incisor removed. But he happily took his pain-relief medicine concealed in a banana – delicious! Do keep an eye on our social media for the latest on all our rescued bears. Ngoc Chu Bich Supporter Engagement Coordinator, Animals Asia

THE ETHIOPIAN WOLF FAMILY BALE MOUNTAINS, ETHIOPIA

Parly recently had his routine health check at the bear hospital, which happens every two years. These examinations include an abdominal ultrasound, blood tests, tooth examination and even X-rays to examine joints. Ears are cleaned, claws trimmed, and treatment provided for parasites as necessary.

PARLY'S STORY Home today: Lifetime care, with over 180 rescued bears, in grassy, tree-filled 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: 10

Last year, our team were involved in a dramatic rescue when an Ethiopian wolf was found shot in the leg. Named Terefe, which means ‘lucky survivor’ in Amharic, he had an open wound and shattered femur. We feared the worst but, after five weeks’ expert care, he gradually recovered. Terefe was the first Ethiopian wolf to ever receive prolonged rehabilitation away from his pack but, after making a full recovery, he was released back to the wild. But, unfortunately, and to our concern, Terefe was unable to reintegrate with his pack and was forced to live alone. You can imagine our delight when, earlier this year, he was spotted with a new companion, a female wolf. The pair were seen playing together and sharing a den. No pups have been spotted yet but the two have formed a strong bond. We named them the Terefe pack after their intrepid founder!

THEIR STORY Home: Living wild in the plateaux of the Afroalpine highlands, 3,500m above sea level Family: Several 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.

With fewer than 500 remaining, every wolf counts, so a new pack is a cause for celebration! Terefe is an ambassador for his species and a source of hope for us all. Eric Bedin Field Director, Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme

Wild Life | Winter 2021

THE LEOPARD FAMILY BORN FREE’S SANCTUARY, SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA

THEIR STORY 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 23, Mowgli three and Zeiss seven

After their dramatic rescue last March, it is fantastic to see both Mowgli and Zeiss really settling in and in excellent condition. They are shy, elusive boys, so Mowgli’s carers were thrilled to recently capture his movements on camera traps in his large natural enclosure. He was seen looking out across Shamwari, patrolling his ‘territory’ especially at night, and listening to the other rescued big cats roaring amidst birdsong! Rhea is the only female in the family and, although she is an older lady, she’s in good health and still active. Because of her advanced age, her teeth are worn, so her carers make sure to provide her with soft meat for easy chewing! Sami is also in good condition and his carers work hard to keep him fit and active. They stimulate natural behaviour by hanging up food and hiding pieces of meat in his enclosure for him to sniff out and ‘catch’. Thank you for helping provide such important enrichment. Glen Vena Animal Care Manager, Born Free

THE PANGOLIN FAMILY SANGHA PANGOLIN PROJECT, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC At Sangha Pangolin Project we aim to provide rapid treatment to any pangolin received, ideally releasing back to the wild as quickly as possible then keeping a careful eye post-release. The region is home to three of Africa’s four species of pangolins: the white-bellied, the black-bellied and the giant pangolin.

Monitoring released pangolins is labour intensive! We employ five local Ba’aka people to follow Mona – the black-bellied pangolin found as an infant, without her mother, last year and now back in the wild. They make sure she is healthy and safe in the forest and she is making great progress, developing a home range.

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

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During the day, staff follow Mona until she eventually curls up in a tree and goes to sleep. The next morning, the team returns to the sleeping den and continues to follow her. Camera traps monitor some of her favourite dens, and a young vet student is collecting and identifying parasites from Mona’s faeces. This might sound odd but, little is known about this fascinating species, so this is important work. Thank you, adopters, for all you do to support our varied team! Tamar Cassidy Sangha Pangolin Project (Edited by Stephanie Jayson)

CHINOISE THE CHIMP LIMBE WILDLIFE CENTRE, CAMEROON Quirky, mischievous and playful, your adopted chimpanzee has a big personality and, 18 months after joining the older orphans, has become an integral and popular part of the group. When Chinoise first arrived at Limbe Wildlife Centre, dominant female Papaya quickly became her surrogate mother. To this day, the bond between the pair keeps growing, and they can often be seen hugging and cuddling each other. How wonderful! Chimp society is complex and fascinating, with youngsters naturally developing close relationships with their wider family.

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

KYRIAKOS THE BROWN BEAR

Chinoise is a very sociable girl, and likes to play, groom and then rest with the others. Thanks to the support of Born Free adopters, she is provided with a wide variety of enrichment opportunities including food frozen in blocks or hidden in bamboo. These ‘puzzle feeders’ always stimulate her curious and playful side. With your help, the dedicated care team keeps a watchful eye on the orphans and you’ll be happy to hear Chinoise is in perfect health and condition. She’s quite a tomboy, so rough play with the males is never too much of a challenge! Andreas Mbong Assistant Head Keeper, Limbe Wildlife Centre

ARCTUROS, GREECE Kyriakos is one of the biggest bears at the sanctuary and has a personality to match – friendly, good hearted and curious. A dominant male, he loves to keep an eye on all the other animals. His favourite place to rest is at the top of his enclosure where he can overlook the other enclosures. During the hot summer days, Kyriakos kept cool in his pool, playing with big sticks and splashing around. His favourite snacks were frozen fish and big ice blocks filled with delicious fruit and nuts – a fantastic enrichment for your adopted bear. European brown bears dig a den in the earth or snow, or find an existing cave for their winter sleep. Our rescued bears do the same, but Kyriakos seems to prefer using the materials our care team provide, collecting leaves, grass and straw to make a perfect den. We had had a difficult year, with the sanctuary closed from November 2020 until May 2021 due to covid measures in Greece. So, your adoption of Kyriakos was of great importance to overcome this difficult financial period. Thank you! Melina Avgerinou Animal Rescue and Care Manager, ARCTUROS

KYRIAKOS’ STORY Home today: Lifetime care in a spacious beech forest enclosure Background: Rescued from Kastoria in northern Greece as a four-month-old, wildborn cub, with his twin brother Manolis, when their mother was killed Arrived at sanctuary: 2004 Age today: 17

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.

MADHAVI THE ASIAN ELEPHANT ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME, SRI LANKA When Madhavi arrived, she was a relatively old calf, found lost within a herd of water buffalo near a village. Unlike most elephants rescued in infancy, she was always shy. She would try to move to the middle of the herd, keeping her distance from her human carers.

ELSA'S PRIDE MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA Elsa’s pride continues to thrive with three females – Elsa, Mururi Girl 1 and Mururi Girl 2 – recording seven births between them this year. We suspect Solio and his brother Mang’erete, who took over the pride in 2021, are the fathers. After a long disappearance, the Mururi Girls were recently spotted each with two six-month-old cubs. We have named the youngsters Kiara and Kamili, and Cheri and Queen, and they are the Mururi Girls’ first cubs. We are so excited to see them! The Mururi Girls are Makena the lioness’ first daughters, which makes these new cubs the first members of the pride’s third generation – since we began monitoring them. But the pride has also seen challenges. Recently, a vet removed a snare from Elsa’s cub ResQ, but fortunately the wound has healed. Sadly, these wire traps are set illegally in Meru to catch ‘bushmeat’ but, with your help, our team is working hard to remove them and keep your adopted family and all the lions of Meru safe. Newton Simiyu Head of Saving Meru’s Giants, Born Free Kenya

With her adopters’ invaluable support, Madhavi gradually learnt the social skills to flourish in a wild, free environment. So, it was a wonderful day when, last April – while Sri Lanka went into lockdown – Madhavi and seventeen other orphan elephants were ‘soft released’ into neighbouring Udawalewe National Park. The youngsters were carefully monitored near the reservoir bed, an important grazing and water source during dry months. With the onset of the rains, Madhavi and seven other orphan elephants crossed the main river into the interior of the park. There, she has the opportunity to meet many other elephants and together, with her friends from the Elephant Transit Home family, learn the ways of living in the wild. What a wonderful conclusion to a fascinating rescue journey! Manori Gunawardena Country Representative, Sri Lanka

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MADHAVI'S’ STORY Home today: Newly released near the Elephant Transit Home, which cares for orphan elephants and returns them to the wild when ready Background: Madhavi was just 18 months old when found alone, too young to survive on her own Arrived at ETH: 2016 Age today: six years

CHIMANUKA THE GORILLA KAHUZI BIEGA NATIONAL PARK, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO With 20 individuals including one silverback, three adult females, seven young blackbacks, six juveniles and three babies, the famous Chimanukas are the largest gorilla family in the tourist area of the park. Although there have been no new births recorded, the three infants are doing well and growing in harmony!

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.

With the assistance of his blackback son Uhuru (whose name means ‘Freedom’), Chimanuka has kept his family safe and together. Since the dry season began, the family has been looking for the fruits of the large Myrianthus holistii tree, as well as the ficus. Thanks to your adoption, we’ve been able to monitor your gorillas every day, to ensure their health and gather fascinating data to help our conservation efforts. Bya’ombe De-Dieu Balongelwa Park Director, Kahuzi Biega National Park

FAREWELL MUGARUKA We are heartbroken to report the sad death of Mugaruka, the mighty silverback who lived alone. At 34, he was a good age, and died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness, under the watchful eye of our team. Born Free had adopted Mugaruka since 2000 and are devastated by his loss, but thankful that, with your help, we could keep him safe all this time. Goodbye dear Mugaruka, we will miss you.

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

We are so happy to see the forest is recovering very fast and many mammals are already thriving in the area. We’re delighted that even jaguars are still frequently present, as detected by our cameras – as you can just about see in this blurred image! – as well as their footprints left indented on the ground This is why your adoption is so vitally important. Thank you for supporting our work! Dr Flavia Caruso Jaguars in the Fringe

The Yungas are such an important stronghold for your Jaguar Family, or ‘tigres’ as they are known locally here. We have been monitoring an area of their forest home that was unfortunately affected by wildfires at the end of last year. Most fires are caused accidentally by humans in forest borders and this one had an impact on an important ‘biological corridor’ (an area of natural habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities). This corridor has great biodiversity including a significant jaguar presence so, in an area of burned forest approximately 4,000 hectares in size, we set up 28 camera traps. These allow us to remotely study the effect of the fire on the jaguars and other mammals, and how the populations recover.

Wild Life | Winter 2021

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THANK YOU KINGSPAN FOR ALL YOU DO TO HELP KEEP LIONS SAFE IN MERU AND SECURE THEIR HABITAT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT LIONS AND SUPPORT LION CONSERVATION IN MERU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA Wonderful news! Supported by leading global building materials company Kingspan, Born Free is acting to protect the lions of Meru, including Elsa’s Pride – named in honour of Elsa the lioness. We are delighted to report the birth of seven cubs this year to the pride, including two sets of twins. Front and centre of Kingspan’s agenda is their 10-year Planet Passionate sustainability programme. Planet Passionate aims to impact three big global issues: • Climate change • Circularity • Protection of our natural world By setting challenging targets, Kingspan aims to make significant advances in the sustainability of both their business operations and their products. “For me, it is beyond refreshing to be a part of an organisation that truly cares about the consequences we as human beings have on the environment. Strategic partnerships with shared values are crucial to make a positive, profound impact on a global scale. This is where Born Free and Kingspan align. “The Pride of Meru three-year partnership has been rewarding and truly humbling. Together we hope to protect and grow the lion population in Meru. This year we celebrated World Lion Day across our global sites, reminding colleagues of Born Free’s critical work and the support we can provide.” Ciara Crosby Sustainability Graduate, Kingspan Group

“The consequences of climate change are far reaching and the possibility of the extinction of the natural world is what drove us to launch Planet Passionate. We have immersed ourselves in mitigating climate change through actions including switching to renewable energy, supporting the upcycling of ocean plastic, harvesting rainwater for re-use, and committing to diverting all waste from landfill. “With every day being a small battle in the overall war on climate change, it makes my role empowering and invigorating. We can’t fight this war alone and need likeminded organisations to join us on our ambitious journey. This is where our collaboration with Born Free comes into play.” Danny Leahy Sustainability Graduate, Kingspan Group

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WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT ORANGUTANS AND RETURN RESCUED ORPHANS TO THE WILD IN INDONESIA, BORNEO.

There is good news from the forests of Borneo! Thanks to the support of leading skincare and beauty brand 7th Heaven and their ‘Keeping It Wild’ animal themed facemask range, Born Free is devoted to orangutan conservation in Indonesia.

The Timtom orangutan mask was inspired by orangutan orphan Timtom, rescued in 2016 aged just nine months, having been taken from her mother and sold as a pet. A donation of 10p for each Timtom orangutan mask purchase will support orphan orangutans as they prepare for life in the wild.

Our Orangutan Foundation partners report two females, Ilik and Sheila, recently gave birth to healthy boys, taking the number of recorded births in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve to nine in 12 months.

Gregory Butcher, 7th Heaven’s Founder, says: “We hope the three fantastic face masks will encourage users to discover their own wild sides, while raising awareness of Born Free’s invaluable work. We can all make a difference by pampering – how brilliant is that!”

Perfect for beauty enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike, 7th Heaven’s new range of wild animal-themed printed biodegradable sheet facemasks are 100% vegan, cruelty free and PETA-certified. Each mask costs £2.99 and animal-lovers can choose from: • Timtom orangutan facemask – banana and coconut – nourishing mask to hydrate and revitalise • Giraffe facemask – aloe and cucumber – soothing mask to hydrate and refresh • Elephant facemask – ginkgo and lotus blossom – chill-out mask to moisturise and calm

Hitesh Patel, Born Free’s Head of Sustainable Partnerships says: “Born Free is delighted to work with 7th Heaven on their exciting new range of sheet masks. Every Timtom mask bought will make a real contribution to the work Born Free supports in Borneo.” To find out more and to shop the Keeping It Wild range, please visit: www.keepingwild.com

HELP RESCUE MONKEYS FROM LIVES OF ABUSE WITH A DONATION TO GLOBALGIVING Did you know, Born Free partners with this non-profit organization based in the United States that provides a global crowdfunding platform for charitable projects? Our new GlobalGiving project helps both Born Free USA and the Zambia Primate Project rescue monkeys from lives of abuse, and provide them with the loving care they need. Other Born Free GlobalGiving projects are devoted to tiger conservation, protecting rare wolves, giving a lifetime home to rescued lions and more.

FIND OUT MORE AND DONATE AT WWW.GLOBALGIVING.ORG/PROJECTS/RESCUE-MONKEYS-FROM-LIVES-OF-ABUSE

Born Free USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Charitable contributions from U.S. taxpayers may be deducted to the full extent of the law.

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ADVERTISE HERE Our biannual Wild Life magazine, published in May and November, has a high proportion of progressive and compassionate ABC1 readers: • 40k print • 100k+ digital Traditional adverts and advertorial available. Please contact Molly Rutherford, molly@bornfree.org.uk

PARTNER US Born Free is proud to work with a wide range of caring businesses, big and small, to help fund our vital wildlife projects. From global brands to start ups, support Born Free to display your brand to a global audience and ensure your product stands out. Show your brand has values and integrity!

COMMITTED TO REDUCING OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL WARMING, BORN FREE OFFSETS CARBON, EMPOWERS LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND CUTS WASTE. TOGETHER, LET’S CREATE A MORE BALANCED WORLD, WHERE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AND WILDLIFE CAN LIVE SAFELY IN THE WILD. CAN YOU GO DIGITAL? Our handy online magazine is perfect for your tablet or smartphone. Sign up today to go green, save paper and reduce our costs. Email: info@bornfree.org.uk

PRODUCTS WITH PURPOSE Born Free’s new shopping channel makes ethical choices simpler. Want to choose genuinely sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly companies? We’ve hand-selected businesses that pass our tough criteria: shop.bornfree.org.uk/collections/ products-with-purpose

Hitesh Patel Head of Sustainable Partnerships hitesh@bornfree.org.uk

WORK TOGETHER WITH BORN FREE. DO GET IN TOUCH, WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

BORN FREE FOREVER JANUARY 2022 LONDON LAUNCH

JOIN THE BORN FREE LIONS FOR A VERY SPECIAL SAFARI! IN HONOUR OF WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF OUR CO-FOUNDER BILL TRAVERS MBE, WE HAVE DESIGNATED 2022 AS BORN FREE’S YEAR OF THE LION. THE YEAR KICKS OFF IN GRAND STYLE WITH A UK-WIDE EXHIBITION FEATURING FIVE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE-SIZE, BRONZE LION SCULPTURES. We’ve joined forces with artists Gillie and Marc to create the world’s largest lion sculpture and would love you to be involved. Other major UK locations to be announced soon! Featuring an extraordinary five life-size lions and 20 cubs cast in bronze. Each lion tells their own story and has a special affinity with Born Free. From Elsa the lioness – our charity’s original inspiration returned to the wild by George and Joy Adamson, to internet sensation Christian – the cub from Harrods also successfully returned to the wild, to Makena – the Kenyan lioness living wild today in Meru National Park with her cubs and grand-cubs and a potent symbol of hope for wild lions. These spectacular bronze lions will champion our vital lion conservation work, to ensure future generations can survive and thrive in the wild.

FIND OUT MORE WWW.BORNFREE.ORG.UK/BORN-FREE-FOREVER

Sandro, a beautiful 15-year-old tiger, was forced to endure many years in a shocking, barren pen, in a rundown zoo in Spain. But, with the help of a kind legacy, Born Free brought him to a tranquil sanctuary in northern Italy this April. Today, surrounded by birdsong, Sandro is free to take a dip in his swimming pool, saunter across the grass and take a leisurely patrol through the trees. What a contrast to his former life of deprivation, pacing back and forth, with no enrichment and noisy visitors banging on the glass.

Your legacy to Born Free could help rescue other animals like Sandro and provide lifetime care. An incredible one in four of our projects to help wild animals and secure their safe future are funded thanks to generous gifts in Wills.

Visit bornfree.org.uk/leave-a-gift to: • Download our FREE practical guide on making and updating your Will • Use our FREE Will writing service • Hear more about how your legacy could make a lifetime of difference

Born Free Foundation, 2nd Floor, Frazer House, 14 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1ER, UK bornfree.org.uk | +44 (0) 1403 240170 | info@bornfree.org.uk bornfreefoundation

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The views expressed in Wild Life are not necessarily those of Born Free. If you have any comments or issues

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you would like to raise, please write to the Managing Editor. Will Travers - Managing Editor: will@bornfree.org.uk

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