Wildlife Times - Winter 2019

WINTER 2019

WILDLIFE TIMES

Magazine

The magazine for people who care about wild animals

THE GREAT ESCAPE A futuRe foR A foRtunAte lion

ADOPT FOR CHRISTMAS And sAve A life

TIME TO END CANNED HUNTING BRed foR Cuddles, sHot foR CAsH

• ConseRvAtion ConundRum • viRginiA’s fiRst ARtiCle

KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD

WELCOME

Save a life when you adopt for Christmas!

From Will Travers OBE

it’s heading for winter… Brrrr! or is that a description of the latest edition of Wildlife Times – Brrr-illiant? it’s leaping with lions. the lions of lyon in their new ‘home’ – thanks to you – and read all about the amazing rescue of ‘Hilts’ from the horror of canned hunting. it’s looking back to the future – with the reprint of my mother virginia’s first article, published 35 years ago. talking of the future, even ‘old guys’ like me are tech-savvy enough to follow Born free on a range of platforms – our sparkling website, tremendous twitter, inspirational instagram, fabulous facebook and all-new Born free Podcast. You can do the same. in this issue we also focus on our life-saving animal adoptions which transform lives and protect species. they are the perfect present or Christmas gift – so spread the love!

When i read Wildlife Times i believe anything is possible. so how about we focus our energies, our determination and our compassion on bringing an end to the despicable ‘canned hunting’ industry? our work to end this immoral industry is ongoing, so please join our campaign to stop lions being bred for the bullet, watch our online animation The Bitter Bond – produced with the creative talent of steve Hawthorne from engine – then sign and share our petition.

President & Co-founder will@bornfree.org.uk @willtravers

COVER STORY

© G Roberts

now i’ve run out of space – but, luckily, you can delve into Wildlife Times at your leisure, and enjoy being part of the Born free family – the family who gets things done!

You pay, they pay In South Africa, thousands of lions are intensely bred on farms to be cynically exploited at every stage of their lives. Ripped from their mothers when days old to be cuddled by unwitting, paying tourists, then taken for walks. The same near-tame lions are shot dead by hunters in a fenced enclosure, their head and skin taken as a grisly trophy, their bones sold for medicine. Let’s end vile canned hunting together.

Cover photo © P Hankinson

CONTENTS

4

9

12

16

24

28

THE GREAT ESCAPE

YOU DID IT!

VIRGINIA’S ARTICLE

HAVE YOU HEARD?

SUCCESS STORIES

20

THE PRICE OF ZOOS

THE CONUNDRUM

36

34

ADOPT FOR CHRISTMAS

IT’S A WILD LIFE

Images © www.georgelogan.co.uk, Tonga Terre d’Accueil, J McArthur/BFF, BF/Wildlife SOS

The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity devoted to wild animal welfare and compassionate conservation. Born Free works to end captive exploitation and Keep Wildlife in the Wild, where it belongs.

Wildlife Times is published quarterly by Born Free iSSn 1351_9212 Managing editor and President: Will Travers, will@bornfree.org.uk Publications Manager: Celia nicholls, celia@bornfree.org.uk graphics & Brand Manager: Claire Stanford, claire@bornfree.org.uk Printed by: 4 Print Ltd, Tel 0208 941 0144.

This publication is printed on Satimatt green supplied by ebbs Tel: 0208 893 1144 The views expressed in Wildlife Times are not necessarily those of Born Free. if you have any comments or issues you would like to raise, please write to the Managing editor.

Born free foundation, Broadlands Business Campus, Langhurstwood Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4QP, UK 01403 240170 info@bornfree.org.uk www.bornfree.org.uk Born Free Foundation is a Registered Charity no.1070906

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 costs. email info@bornfree.org.uk

us On insTAGrAm EnjOy Our yOuTuBE films us On fACEBOOK uP TO EnEWs us On TWiTTEr D fOllOW k siGn E finD Q fOllOW instagram.com/bornfreefoundation M youtube.com/bornfreefoundation facebook.com/bornfreefoundation bornfree.org.uk twitter.com/bornfreefdn

THE GREAT ESCAPE

BRED FOR THE BULLET

With your help, ‘Hilts’ has a future free from harm. Now let’s tell the world about lion farms and canned hunting, and end this immoral and cruel industry, says Dr Chris Draper.

F

or safety reasons, we can’t reveal his real name or even his location.

But this lion has been rescued in an escape worthy of the nickname ‘Hilts’ – after Steve McQueen’s character Captain Virgil Hilts in the film The Great Escape. ‘Hilts’ was born in a breeding facility in South africa, part of a debased multi-million-pound industry where at least 8,000 lions languish in around 250 centres. These animals are exploited at every stage of their lives but, with your help, we’re taking action to end this brutal business.

‘Hilts’ was no doubt taken from his mother when days old, so she would quickly become fertile again. Lion cubs are naturally not weaned until six months, but ‘Hilts’ would have been bottle-fed by unsuspecting volunteers who paid to 4 THE GREAT EscAPE | WinTeR 2019

hand-rear him. Other tourists would have paid to stroke him, and take him for walks as he grew. When too big to be cuddled, ‘Hilts’ was marked to be shot by a paying hunter at a canned hunting facility. But thankfully, that’s where ‘Hilts’ tragic destiny was changed.

The abused lion was rescued and, with the help of your donations, is now safely in good care. His story has touched so many of us, yet thousands of other lions are not so lucky. in South africa, there are now at least three times as many captive lions as those living in the wild.

Canned hunting is a grotesque industry where near-tame lions are legally gunned down at close range in an enclosure.

Hand-reared lions have little fear of humans and nowhere to escape.

Hunters, mainly from europe and north

america, then pose for photographs by the bloody carcasses before the head and skin is taken home to mount on their wall. Bones from these lions may be exported to the Far east for traditional medicines. This practice creates a market for lion products and puts a price-tag for poachers on the head of every wild lion, a species already under threat.

Let’s be clear: canned hunting is unethical and unacceptable. it relies on greed, cruelty and the perverse desires of those who enjoy killing animals. The lion, symbolising strength and courage, has been reduced to a commodity to be harvested, traded and abused.

Thank you for giving ‘Hilts’ a new life – now let’s take action for all the other individuals exploited by this cruel

industry. Please share their sad stories and join our campaign to stop lions being bred for the bullet. Let’s bring an end to canned hunting and the international lion bone trade once and for all.

‘Hilts’ is now safe

You can help Please support and share our petition to demand an end to canned hunting. Visit www.bornfree.org.uk/ great-betrayal

Dr Chris Draper Head of animal Welfare & Captivity chris@bornfree.org.uk

‘Hilts’ was due to be shot Image © I Michler, www.georgelogan.co.uk

WinTeR 2019 | THE GREAT EscAPE 5

CIRCLE OF LIFE

In South Africa lions are exploited at every stage of their lives

DAYS OLD WHEN TAKEN FROM MOTHER

REARED BY PAYING VOLUNTEERS

UNWITTING TOURISTS PAY TO PET CUBS

BONES USED FOR ASIAN TONICS

TAKEN HOME AS A TROPHY 6 THE GREAT EscAPE | WinTeR 2019

NEAR-TAME LIONS SHOT DEAD

OLDER LIONS TAKEN FOR WALKS

TEN FACTS ABOUT CANNED HUNTING 1.

Canned hunting is the killing of a captive-bred animal in a confined area they cannot escape from.

2.

south Africa is the world’s top destination with over 8,000 captive-bred lions in around 250 facilities.

3.

there are at least three times as many captive lions in south Africa as lions living free.

5.

Hunters kill animals with a rifle, bow and arrow, a handgun or even an antique muzzle-loader gun.

6.

south Africa is the largest exporter of lion bones. from 2008-2015 5,363 skeletons were legally exported.

7.

98% of skeletons exported were destined for laos and vietnam, known hubs for the illegal wildlife trade.

8.

9.

the legal trade stimulates illegal trade. last month 342kg of lion bone without an export permit was seized at Johannesburg airport.

We believe canned hunting is inhumane and morally unacceptable. We need your help to stop this shameful practice.

10.

You can take action to end canned hunting.

Please sign our petition at www.bornfree.org.uk/ great-betrayal

WinTeR 2019 | THE GREAT EscAPE 7

Š P Hankinson

4.

According to our colleagues at Blood lions, every year some 800 captive-bred lions are killed in south Africa in canned hunts.

THE GREAT ESCAPE HELP PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR A FORTUNATE LION

BORN IN CAPTIVITY CUDDLED FOR CASH SAVED FROM THE BULLET ‘Hilts’ the lion was rescued from the canned hunting industry and is now in our care.

The canned hunting industry is dangerous, so we can’t reveal his real name, or where he is now. But we can tell you that, for the first time in his life, ‘Hilts’ is in a secure location where no one can hurt him again.

‘Hilts’deserves the best possible future.

HELP PROTECT THIS LION TODAY WWW.BORNFREE.ORG.UK/THE-GREAT-ESCAPE Charity No:1070906

HAVE YOU

HEARD?

WILDLIFE FOR SALE Thanks for helping lobby officials at a recent trade meeting in Geneva. Among good results, delegates agreed to regulate trade in giraffes, protect species affected by the wild pet trade and ban exports of wild-caught elephant calves. “There were many successes for wildlife,” said Born Free’s Dr Mark Jones, “including key outcomes we worked hard for over many years.”

the latest on Born free animals, projects and people.

SHOOT TO THRILL

bin Congratulations to Ro of a e ag im e os wh Claydon r ou n wo a bear in Alask er shoot to thrill summ tion. photography competi om Celebrating the freed d, wil the in of animals shoot to thrill raised tal awareness of the bru try trophy hunting indus age ss me the d and sprea ly be on ld ou sh that animals t a gun. no – ra shot with a came

RESCUE OPERATION

CRUCIAL CALL

An emergency Born Free team helped save a young lion entangled in a wire snare in Meru National Park, Kenya.

Mururi Boy 2, from Elsa’s Pride, was sedated and treated by Kenya Wildlife Service vet Dr Rono. “He was very lucky,” explained Born Free’s Dr Liz Greengrass. “We monitor these lions daily which is crucial when their wellbeing is threatened by poachers.”

Born Free has backed an urgent International Union for the Conservation of Nature appeal for global governments to take action to save species at the highest risk of extinction. “Emergency measures are needed,” said our Chief Scientist Professor Claudio Sillero at their recent Abu Dhabi meeting. “Species are the building blocks of bio-diversity.”

Images © www.georgelogan.co.uk, Robin Claydon, M Davison

WinTeR 2019 | HAvE you HEARD? 9

HAVE YOU

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

HEARD?

After years of campaigning by our Lilongwe Wildlife Trust colleagues, Malawi’s supreme court has confirmed a national ban on thin plastics. “This is an incredible result for the health of our environment and wildlife,” exclaimed the Trust’s Head of Development, Fred Tomlin.

The latest on Born Free animals, projects and people.

TOXIC TONICS

WILDLIFE CRIME Reports of wildlife crime in England and Wales rose 17% in 2018, according to a new Wildlife Crime Report released with our Link colleagues. The report revealed data on crimes against hen harriers, badgers, bats, reptiles and more. “The government needs to do far more to tackle illegal activities,” said Born Free’s Dr Mark Jones.

A horrific illegal shipment of 342kg of lion bones, equal to 35 lions, has been seized without export papers at Johannesburg airport en route to the Far East.

“Trade in bones from captive-bred lions for Asian medicines is part of the lion breeding industry,” said Born Free’s Adeline Lerambert.

“We reiterate our calls to close this brutal business.”

Images © www. georgelogan.co.uk, R Zweers, R Reynolds

PEOPLE POWER We congratulate communities in Zambia for preventing the capture of wild animals for transfer to private game ranches to, most likely, become victims of trophy hunts.

Born Free stands ready to help find humane alternatives to better protect wildlife. This positive action is hot on the heels of the withdrawal of local support for trophy hunting throughout Zambia.

10 HAVE YOU HEARD? | WINTER 2019

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

THE COMEBACK CANINES The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme has just rediscovered an isolated population presumed extinct in the north of Ethiopia.

Born Free has been dedicated to the wolves’ survival since 1995.

We want to brighten your day!

ADOPT ACTION “Thanks to funding from Chinoise adopters, our Limbe Wildlife Centre colleagues have renovated their chimpanzee night house in Cameroon,” said Born Free’s Maggie Balaskas. “The orphans now enjoy giant hammocks, rope platforms and climbing structures.” Used to attract customers to a Chinese restaurant, Chinoise was thankfully rescued and will soon join the older chimps.

NINE LIVES “It’s been a busy few months,” exclaimed Born Free’s Maggie Balaskas. “Since August we’ve rehomed a record nine rescued lions to sanctuaries in Africa.” This includes sisters Cora and Alpha, rescued from life in a Spanish zoo and now at our new facility at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, set up with help from British Airways Holidays and IAG Cargo.

THANKS TRIPADVISOR TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, has banned ticket sales to captive dolphin facilities.

“Any products found to breach the new rules will be removed,” explained Born Free’s Dr Chris Draper. Visit our website to sign our pledge to not support businesses that promote captive cetacean exploitation.

Images © W Burrard-Lucas, LWC, pantheraafrica.com, georgelogan.co.uk

WINTER 2019 | HAVE YOU HEARD? 11

RESCUE & CARE

THEY’RE

HOME!

It’s been an epic undertaking but, with your support, our urban pride of lions can now soak up the sun at our South African sanctuary. Beth Brooks reports.

L

ast month, the Lions of Lyon – Horus, Dadou, Cersei and Thea – made the 9,000-mile journey from their temporary home in Lyon, France, to our big cat sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, in South Africa.

Brave Cersei was the first to step out into their large, natural enclosure. She was closely followed by Thea, Dadou, and finally Horus. Looking understandably nervous, and walking gingerly because they had never felt grass under their paws before, they set off to explore.

That was a life-changing moment for the cubs, and was only made possible thanks to your incredible generosity.

Since those first tentative steps, we’ve been delighted how they’re settling in.

12 RESCUE & CARE | WINTER 2019

They’re all eating and drinking well and have spent a lot of time getting used to their new home – regularly using the door in and out of their night house, listening to the sounds of the African bush, and showing interest in the other big cats at the sanctuary, especially their new neighbour King.

Just like King, the Lions of Lyon were rescued in France from the exotic pet trade. Horus was found in an apartment, Cersei in a garage, Thea was surrendered by her owner and Dadou was rescued from a Lamborghini on Paris’ Champs Elysees. They should have been born in the wild – living free and learning how to be a lion. Instead, they were all born in captivity, separated from their mothers too soon and sold just so people could selfishly keep them as pets. Sadly, millions

of wild animals are kept as pets worldwide.

Wild animals never make good pets because they have complex needs that can’t be met in a domestic setting.

Dr Chris Draper, Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity at Born Free, who led the cubs’ relocation, says: “Taking these four lions is a drop in the ocean. Of course, it means an enormous amount to them, and it means an enormous amount to us, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar wild animals out there who are still in the exotic pet trade. I hope the Lions of Lyon will raise awareness about this global problem. Keeping wild animals as pets is cruel, totally unsuitable and has such a devastating impact.”

The Lions of Lyon are innocent victims of this trade. But they’re also the lucky

YOU DID IT – THANK YOU! Our gratitude to everyone who supported the Lions of Lyon.

Special thanks to James Lewis and pupils of S Anselm’s School for their fundraising efforts, and our friends at Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, Tonga Terre d’Accueil, IAG Cargo and Shamwari Private Game Reserve for all their help giving the cubs a new home.

ones. Thanks to your continued help and support, they will live free from harm in their ancestral homeland of Africa. If they weren’t at our sanctuary receiving the expert care they so truly deserve, they would have faced a very uncertain future. With you by our side, our work to tackle the trade and exploitation of wild animals as pets will continue.

Cersei

Dadou

Find out more You can keep up to date on the cubs’ progress at our big cat sanctuary on our website, or on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Beth Brooks Communications Manager beth@bornfree.org.uk Images © F Fortuna/BF

Horus

Thea

MY

RESCUE & CARE

VIEW

As a lifelong animal lover (apparently my first word was cat), working at

Born Free has been a dream. Born Free believes that every individual

animal matters and this is especially

evident in our rescue and care work.

I am enormously lucky to have been part of the team to visit Bulgaria in

2015 to transport former circus lions, Jora and Black, to our big cat

sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, in South Africa. During this trip I saw first-hand how dedicated and compassionate the Born Free

team is towards these incredible and extremely vulnerable animals.

I became really emotional thinking about how much Jora and Black’s lives would change for the better, thanks to the generosity and

kindness of people like you. The

brothers are still very special to me

and I love seeing updates. I think it is this care for the individual which

really sets Born Free apart. I work as

part of the communications team, so spend a lot of time writing articles to

keep supporters up to date about our work, which is really important

because we simply couldn’t do what we do without you!

Victoria Lockwood Communications Officer victoria@bornfree.org.uk

RECENT RESCUE

BRADLEY AND COOPER Saving wildlife one animal at a time.

Our friends at Arcturos Bear Sanctuary in Greece have their hands full with two energetic new orphans. Found in a village in northern Greece, Bradley and Cooper were just two months old when taken in, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible for an Arcturos emergency team to reunite them with their mother. However, an exciting future beckons for the brown bear brothers.

At an altitude of 1,350m on the slopes of Mount Vernon, the sanctuary’s 50 acres of beech tree forest provides permanent refuge for residents including our adopted male Kyriakos, and the three youngsters Mollie, Georgia and Louisa we helped rescue in Georgia in 2016. But Arcturos doesn’t just provide lifetime care, they also operate a rehabilitation centre, and Bradley and Cooper are busy learning the skills they need to thrive on their own in the wild. They have been moved into a large fenced area of the forest where they quickly started exploring their new space, climbing and swinging in the trees, playing with the water in their big natural pool and enjoying a diet of fruit. Cooper is often courageous, but Bradley seems more independent.

Arcturos Director Nikos Kanellopoulos explains: “Bradley and Cooper will stay with us until wintertime and if they reach an appropriate weight, show correct behaviour, and if weather conditions are good, they will be released back to the wild. We will place a radio collar on them to make sure they are safe.”

We’ll report back on Bradley and Cooper’s progress. MB

BROWN BEAR FACTS ï The most widespread of all bears, found in Europe, North America and Asia ï There are around 110,000 adult brown bears, with 17,000 in Europe and Greece home to about 500 ï The second largest bear, up to 2.4 metres in height and 600kg in weight ï Despite their size they’re fast. They can sprint at up to 30mph ï Top of the food chain predators, they can hunt animals from mice to moose ï As omnivores they also eat roots, grasses, nuts, fruit, insects and fish.

Born Free rescues individual animals from appalling conditions

We rehabilitate each one, giving expert, loving care | We release individuals to the wild whenever possible | We give lifetime care in spacious sanctuaries

FACE TO FACE Field Conservation Assistant Emily Neil speaks to Ashley Leiman OBE, Founder and Director of the Orangutan Foundation.

How did your work begin?

The Foundation was founded in 1990. I first went to Indonesian Borneo in 1986 – Indonesia has the third-largest rainforest in the world. I walked through one of the oldest rainforests and the feeling was primal, it had to be saved. But how?

Orangutans are the forest ape so how better to save the rainforest.

What challenges do they face?

There is only one threat: habitat loss through logging and conversion to plantations – palm oil and acacia for paper pulp. 80% of habitat has been lost in the past 30 years. This can lead to orangutans being stranded and killed, and orphans may be sold locally as pets.

including your adopted orphan Timtom learn the skills for life in the wild. Habitat protection is our priority and strategically placed guard posts prevent illegal activities. Born Free supports Guard Post 25 and staff patrolling the area.

Does rescue help conservation?

Reintroduced orangutans can form new populations and over 80 infants have been born in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve since 2003. Currently, there are nine orangutans in soft release and each of these will go on to a life in the wild and either father or give birth to offspring.

Why do you love orangutans?

To see one move through its forest home is life-affirming. Orangutans are the most amazing and yet enigmatic species. Their intelligence is there for all to see, observing us as we observe them.

How is Timtom?

She is playful and adventurous, with a huge personality. We want the orangutans to learn to be in trees, but Timtom is forever climbing down, running away, then taken back to a tree by our team and at the first opportunity comes down again. You see the intelligence and sense of fun – she knows exactly what she is doing.

How does Born Free help?

Your support is crucial to Camp JL, a soft release site where five orangutans,

Can readers help?

Through the generosity of supporters, we are able to continue our crucial work. We

The vet gives Timtom a multivitamin injection

need funds to meet the challenges facing the critically endangered orangutan. Each of us can play a part, choosing products with sustainable palm oil, and encouraging future generations to be responsible citizens.

Image © Orangutan Foundation

© Animals Asia

RESCUE & CARE nEwS in bRiEf

Five star siblings

Room to run

Careful Bodo...

These hoglets were orphaned when their mother made a nest under scrap metal at a garage in Sussex, UK, but was scared off. Born Free rescuer Tarnya Knight syringe-fed the quins a special formula, but they now eat by themselves.

Rescued from the pet trade, the Cheetah Family at our Ethiopia sanctuary can now stretch their legs in a vast new enclosure.

Brave female Hissy Spitty was first to explore, investigating hiding spaces, trees and platforms.

Our adopted moon bear Bodo is the most playful bear at Animals Asia’s sanctuary in China. George is half his size, but they love to wrestle and have twice broken the bamboo swing – their combined weight of 333kg is a little too much for the ropes!

WINTER 2019 | RESCUE & CARE 15

King had an epic journey from France to South Africa.

THE BIG PICTURE

STORIES OF YOUR SUCCESS When you adopt with Born Free you change the lives of countless wild animals worldwide. Celia Nicholls reports.

16 THE biG PiCTURE | WINTER 2019

Before Born Free

K

ing was just a vulnerable youngster when rescued from a Paris flat in 2017. He had been kept as an illegal pet in a small dirty cage but, thanks to your support, this frightened, malnourished cub has undergone a transformation. King now thrives at our sanctuary in South Africa, his care for life funded thanks to his adopters. But that’s not all these lion-lovers achieve for wildlife.

Adopters help us rescue other lions in need. Lions like Ciam, who was rescued from a garden in France where he was being kept illegally as a pet. He now lives at our sanctuary in South Africa. And there’s more. “King’s story drew attention to the cruel global trade in wild pets,” says our Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity, Dr Chris Draper. “His adopters help us take action and this includes vital research, hard-hitting reports and lobbying for legislative reform and enforcement – from the UK to the international arena.”

Ciam was ke

pt as a pet

WINTER 2019 | THE biG PiCTURE 17

THE BIG PICTURE Nearly 19,000 of you adopt an animal with Born Free. You help look after rescued individuals in our sanctuaries and safeguard the future of species under threat in the wild. But that’s just for starters. Incredibly, one in five of all Born Free projects are funded by our adoption programme.

Adopters are part of a flourishing global network of people devoted to wildlife including rescuers, rangers, field scientists and campaigners. Together we are strong.

Together we make the world a better place for countless wild animals in need.

So what else do adopters accomplish?

You directly protect threatened species such the West African giraffe – the world’s rarest subspecies. “These giraffe play an important ecological role,” explains Born Free’s Head of Conservation Dr Liz Greengrass. “By dispersing acacia seed in their dung, they help stem the tide of desertification.” But pressure from people was a growing problem for the West African giraffe, including harvesting wood for fuel and grazing goats and cattle. By the 1990s, numbers had declined to 50 individuals in a single population in Niger.

Today, adopters support our Giraffe Conservation Foundation colleagues and help ensure the giraffes’ safety. “This has become a success story,” says Dr Greengrass. “Local people now tolerate giraffe and even express pride living alongside them.” With around 600 individuals, this has been one of Africa’s fastest-growing giraffe populations, so much so that the team could recently re-establish a second group 800 miles away.

Resolving conflict between local people and wildlife can be key to successful conservation. Gopal is a wild-born tiger at our sanctuary in India who clashed with people when he preyed on their livestock. Authorities considered him too risky to release back to the wild, so Born Free has given him a lifetime home.

Today adopters fund his specialist care.

But Born Free is also working in India to protect wild tigers. “Our work with local communities has a significant impact,” said Dr Nikki Tagg, our Conservation Programmes Manager. “Wild tigers in India have increased by more than 30%

Gopal

in just four years to nearly 3,000 today.”

And, by focusing on this ambassador animal, we can protect their carbonabsorbing water catchment forest habitat as well, home to countless other species including leopards, sloth bears and dholes – the endangered Asiatic wild dog.

At Born Free, safeguarding the welfare of individual animals can enhance the survival of wild species. In Central African Republic, the Sangha Pangolin Project cares for orphaned and injured

Nearly

19,000

of you adopt with Born Free

Celia Nicholls Publications Manager celia@bornfree.org.uk

pangolins and, aided by adopters, has returned a remarkable 90 pangolins to the wild since 2013. Their new Born Free-funded hospital is the perfect place for creatures to recover before release.

Local Baaka people help stop trade in the area and watch over these rare forest animals, the only mammal with scales.

“Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals, and are killed for their scales and meat,” says our Head of Policy, Dr Mark Jones. “But, funded by adopters, we helped secure their highest possible protection under international law, and now work to ensure this legal protection is effectively implemented.”

So much can be accomplished for animals thanks to your adoptions. Not a bad return for a £3 a month investment.

Whichever animal you choose, whether a named individual in a sanctuary or an entire family in the wild, your adoption will make a lifetime of difference. So, if you’re looking for a one-off gift in a million that makes the world a kinder place for animals, get in touch for the perfect, personalised present.

Adopters fund

1/5th

of all our work for wildlife

Find out more For our full range of animal adoptions visit www.bornfree.org.uk/adopt

SPRINGER’S STORY

ELEPHANT FAMILY

BROWN BEARS

Orphaned and lost when two years old, the captive industry wanted to take Springer. But, aided by orca adopters, we helped take this baby orca home to her wild family in Canada and she now has two calves of her own.

Thanks to adopters, we support the world’s longest wild elephant study in Kenya. Across Africa we also fund anti-poaching patrols, apprehend wildlife traffickers and campaign to end the trade in ivory and live elephants.

Kyriakos prospers in a spacious forest enclosure at Arcturos, Greece, thanks to adopters. They also fund rehabilitation, with five rescued cubs already released this year and two more waiting in the wings to go wild.

Images © C Radloff/Shamwari, F30MA, www.georgelogan.co.uk, Tree Nation, BF/Wildlife SOS, J Potgieter, J Towers, Arcturos

WINTER 2019 | THE BIG PICTURE 19

CAPTIVITY

WHAT DOES A ZOO COST? Look into the eyes of a caged tiger. The cost of captivity is way too high. Tricia Holford considers the real price of keeping wild animals in zoos.

K

Xansas City Zoo is investing £8.27m in a three-acre elephant enclosure, Milwaukee Zoo spent £19.7m on a quarter-acre for hippos, Chester Zoo’s lemur enclosure cost £3.2m while London Zoo’s half-acre Tiger Territory cost £3.6m. To put this into perspective, a UK football pitch is two acres in size, a wild tiger’s territory measures thousands of acres and Born Free’s Living with Tigers programme – with an annual budget of £120,000 – secures the survival of central India’s critical population of wild tigers.

areas, and often a petting zoo. Children can be entertained safely all day – whether or not they’re interested in learning about wild animals.

Zoos around the world are spending eye-watering sums of money on developments for a handful of animals.

But what benefit do they bring? A bit more space here, a gimmicky enrichment device there. All too often these result in a negligible enhancement for the animals. Especially when compared with the space, variety and challenges of life in the wild for which they have evolved. And let’s not forget a large proportion of those costs go into improving the experience for visitors – a new look, more visual access, shaded seating, landscaped pathways and artfully-disguised buildings.

We were interested to see these views being expressed recently by none other than Damien Aspinall, whose foundation operates two zoos in the UK, Port Lympne and Howletts.

Aspinall estimates 99% of their visitors come along for an enjoyable day out.

He acknowledges that while 1% may get newly enthusiastic about conservation, it doesn’t mean they become actively involved in future. He proposes a plan to “phase out zoos over a 25 to 30 year period, starting with certain species clearly not suitable for captivity.” In his view “keeping hundreds of thousands of animals in captivity, just so that a minuscule percentage of people might become active conservationists, is far too high a price for those animals to pay.” Our views exactly, of course.

It is easy to see why zoos remain popular for families – buggy-friendly walkways, all-weather play areas, eateries, toilets, nappy-changing 20 CAPTIVITY | WINTER 2019

Zoos need to focus on their visitors because, there is no getting away from it, they are places of entertainment.

Despite claims by the zoo industry that they educate the public about the importance of conservation and biodiversity, the majority of people go to the zoo for a day out. This is what zoo visitors told us when we started 35 years ago, and this is what they tell us today.

A visit to a zoo is a brief window into the lives of captive animals. The visitor is free to choose where to go next, free to choose when and what to have for lunch, free to leave. By their very nature, zoos deny animals these choices and freedoms. New developments in zoos can, at best, tinker around the edges of what wild animals truly need.

Tricia Holford Captive Animals Officer tricia@bornfree.org.uk

TIGER’S TALE Asim lives in London Zoo’s £3.6m half-acre tiger enclosure. He arrived in January 2019 and is the zoo’s only tiger. Tragically, Asim killed the zoo’s female tiger, 10-year-old Melati, when introduced to her in February.

Images © www.georgelogan.co.uk, C J Gould

WINTER 2019 | CAPTIVITY 21

MY

VIEW

Working for an organisation like Born Free, my colleagues have a large variety of skill sets. As a graphic

designer, it’s my responsibility to help ensure our views as a charity are presented in a clearly defined

manner, easily accessed by you, our

supporters. My own views on animal welfare, especially animals in

© A Gekoski/Caters News

captivity, are just as clearly defined.

There are many arguments put

forward to validate keeping animals in captivity. Education is one. But

what can we learn about a species by observing them through bars or on

the other side of toughened glass? If

we wanted to learn about the human species, who would agree that a

You can call out your concerns.

enlightening perspective? Like

This summer, Born Free launched Raise the Red Flag, our new online reporting system and information hub. Fronted

by Patron Mollie King, our launch event in London was a great success. “I’m honoured to be joining you,” said Mollie. “Raise the Red Flag is such an important project.” Each flag on our interactive map represents a captive facility and you can click through to read animal welfare concerns. The map also shows sites of Born Free investigations and we help people make informed choices before visiting an animal-based attraction.

prison cell affords us the most

humans, animals bound in captive

conditions can never behave in a way that is truly natural to them. The

regimes put in place by their captors will always rule their behaviour. All we can learn is how well or, as is

often the case, how poorly they have

© J McArthur/BFF

adapted to this artificial environment.

Steve Hilling Graphic Designer steveh@bornfree.org.uk 22 CAPTIVITY | WINTER 2019

We need you to be our eyes and ears and our new system provides a quick and easy way to submit eyewitness concerns and photographic evidence.

Your reports help us identify issues, take action with your support, and help individuals, where possible. Since our Red Flag launch we have received a vast array of reports such as chained elephants in Indonesia, tigers pacing their cage in Thailand, dolphins performing in France and a distressed aquarium turtle in the UK. Everyone

can look out for captive wild animal concerns and Raise the Red Flag equips you to make your own voice heard.

Find out more Visit www.bornfree.org.uk/ raise-the-red-flag, give us a call or send me a letter.

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

YOU SPEAK OUT

“On the stre et in Playa de l Carmen, Mex I saw a jagu ico, ar cub used to attract tour People were ists. prodding he r while she tr to sleep.” Bo ied rn Free is inve stigating.

Born Free is the voice for captive animals worldwide

We challenge exploitation and cruelty | We expose suffering and neglect | We seek an end to zoos, circuses and dolphinaria

CAPTIVITY SEA LION SHOWS

CLOWNS IN CAPTIVITY Can you believe that intelligent animals still perform degrading tricks in UK zoos?

That a sentient species has to catch hoops, balance balls and do handstands for the paying public? I am, of course, talking about captive sea lions, still so shockingly exploited for our entertainment. Just what can be learned from these vulgar performances?

show in Central America, this old-school exploitation should be consigned to history.

Together we can oppose this shameful, degrading and outdated exploitation.

You can take a stand against animal shows by choosing not to visit any facility using a wild animal in performance. We also encourage you to Raise the Red Flag if you ever see an animal show that concerns you, either at home or abroad.

Samantha Goddard Campaigns Officer samantha@bornfree.org.uk

In the wild you will, of course, never see a sea lion stand on its flippers or balance a ball on its nose. Seeing this in captivity creates an entirely false impression of these wild animals, and reinforces damaging, archaic views that wild animals are ours to use for entertainment. All the while, these animals remain in unnatural captivity, in a pool just a few metres deep (at best) whilst their wild counterparts enjoy diverse coastal and marine habitats, diving to depths of up to 240 metres.

Zoos will always fall short of being able to provide an appropriate environment for these animals. At Born Free challenge the use of any wild animal for performance, worldwide and in the UK. Whether a sea lion show in a British zoo, an elephant forced to perform in Thailand, or parrot

Š J McArthur/BFF

Š J McArthur/BFF

PoInTlEss PAInTInGs

Blavand Zoo Captive wild animals are still kept in outrageous conditions the world over, not least this lemur at Blavand Zoo in Denmark. Does the zoo industry really think elaborate wall art disguises their barren, inappropriate enclosures?

Mont Faron Zoo A family of four baboons huddle together at Mont Faron Zoo in France, surrounded by scenes of the African savannah. In the wild, these clever, opportunistic animals form large troops governed by a complex hierarchy.

Barcelona Zoo Enveloped by an extravagant marine scene, two bottlenose dolphins languish in a small shallow pool in Barcelona Zoo in Spain. In the wild dolphins reach speeds of over 25mph and dive as deep as 250 metres.

WINTER 2019 | CAPTIVITY 23

CAPTIVITY

WE CAN SPEAK OUT – ANIMALS CANNOT Over 35 years ago, a UK zoo elephant’s death put the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity on the agenda. Virginia McKenna reports on her first article for Born Free.

For some reason I have felt a growing need to look back over the past 35 years to when we began our work as Zoo Check, the charity that evolved into Born Free. Our first simple, black and white newsletter was published in March 1984, the month we began. Re-reading the article I wrote for it, I realised my thoughts and feelings then are no different now.

Indeed, I think they are just as relevant to the focus of Born Free today. Our determination to speak out on behalf of wild creatures in captivity and in the natural world is, I feel, as urgent as ever.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who still supports us all these years later, and to the growing numbers of people who have joined us since. That there are more young people now involved means more than I can say. They are the hope for the future. The stability and peace of our fragile world is under constant threat as, increasingly, is our own survival. But we can speak out – animals cannot. We must never betray them.

Virginia McKenna OBE Co-Founder & Trustee 24 CAPTIVITY | WINTER 2019

A world without a soul We are confronted daily by the reality of diminishing forests, polluted air and seas and disappearing species, but we rely on the efforts of minority groups – charities, trusts and the like – to accept the responsibility of looking after our besieged environment, while the vast juggernaut called the human race ploughs on with its programme of exploitation at all costs.

Even those far-seeing eyes which look at our changing world with fear and apprehension, sometimes fail to notice the suffering we impose on the animal inhabitants of our planet – even the ones on our very doorstep. They live in our local zoos, in our crowded safari parks, in our circuses. They live a deprived and, for them, purposeless existence, prisoners for our pleasure. Zoo Check plans to change this situation.

Zoo Check was created by you, the public – by the people who reacted with anger and with sorrow at the destruction last October of Pole Pole the African elephant at London Zoo. The people who are no longer content to regard the zoo as a nice outing on a sunny afternoon, who recognise that the price captive animals must pay for our so-called education and enlightenment is too high.

Those who question the ultimate purpose of man’s supremacy – his right to destroy, confine and control the other creatures of the world are too readily dismissed

as extremists and cranks. And yet there is a change of attitude – people are beginning to become involved, to realise that the treasures of our world are not the sole prerogative of governments, science and industry. That a world which has materialism and commercialism as its gods is a world without a heart or a soul.

We have been joined by writers, politicians, actors, naturalists, executives, businessmen: letters of support arrive daily from all parts of the country. Zoo Check is dedicated to changing people’s attitudes towards animals in captivity – for how we regard other living creatures must surely reflect how we regard all life, including our own.

POLE POLE’S STORY In 1983, a young African elephant called Pole Pole was put down at London Zoo after 15 years of incarceration. Caught from the wild in Kenya when two years old, she had appeared in a film An Elephant Called Slowly with our Co-Founders Virginia McKenna OBE and Bill Travers MBE. Her tragic death inspired the formation of Zoo Check, now Born Free. You can read her full story on our website.

Images © J McArthur/BF, Daily Mail

WINTER 2019 | CAPTIVITY 25

EDUCATION

THE PLASTIC PROBLEM Plastic has been all over the news lately, and can be a mammoth problem for wildlife and habitats. Born Free is encouraging school kids to take action, as David Bolton reports.

O

ne million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, warned a 2019 United Nations report, more than ever before in human history. Nature is declining at unprecedented rates which could have grave impacts for people around the world. This catastrophic decline is fuelled by our actions. We are having an effect on both species and habitats by our unsustainable use of natural resources, habitat conversion and degradation, human-induced climate change and more. All exacerbated by issues such as plastic pollution.

The benefits of plastic are undeniable – it’s cheap, easy to mould, lightweight and durable. But these qualities have led 26 EDUCATIon | WINTER 2019

to a huge and unsustainable growth in its production, resulting in one of our planet’s most significant environmental challenges. Since the 1950s, an estimated 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic – the equivalent of well over one billion elephants – has been produced. Today, one million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute, and up to one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. Half of this plastic is used just once and then thrown away, and less than a fifth of all plastic is recycled.

Most of our plastic ends up in landfill, dumps, or loose in the environment.

Most does not biodegrade and will spend hundreds of years decomposing,

breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics, and releasing harmful chemicals. On land and in the ocean, wild animals become tangled in plastic or mistake it for food.

Plastic pollutes every beach in the world and every year plastic kills at least 100,000 sea mammals and turtles, and one million sea birds.

Ensuring sustainable use of resources is a key step every one of us needs to take to reduce our collective impact on the environment, including the use and disposal of plastic. Plastics impact environmental, wildlife and human health alike, with a legacy that could last for centuries. So who is responsible for plastics’ ubiquitous use and poor

disposal? If we are to change the world, who needs to lead the charge?

To get people talking, this September we launched Born Free’s Great Debate in UK primary and secondary schools, with plastic as our first theme. We provided teachers with materials to engage students in meaningful debates about key wildlife and environmental topics that will affect their future. The Great Debate raises awareness and helps students to research up to date issues, and to frame and deliver arguments.

We want to encourage each child to become a responsible and compassionate citizen, and to reduce their impact on biodiversity and the environment. But it’s not just up to the next generation, we all need to take responsibility.

David Bolton UK Education Officer davidb@bornfree.org.uk

BLUE PLANET II

YOU CAN HELP

David Attenborough’s underwater series Blue Planet II attracted more than 14 million UK viewers and was 2017’s most watched TV show. Heralded as a key moment that sparked the war on plastics,

ï Try to avoid single use plastic such as bags, drinking bottles & food packaging ï Always take a shopping bag and try to visit shops that refill your containers ï Try to only buy secondhand plastic, eg toys and household items ï Join local beach cleans and litter picks ï Find out more at www.bornfree.org.uk/great-debate.

88% of viewers changed their lifestyle.

EDUCATION nEws In BRIEf

Hear the Roar

Where did all the animals go?

Last Chance to Paint

With Issue 1 of our kid’s magazine receiving great feedback (see bornfree.org.uk/publications), Issue 2 is due early next year. To sign up for Hear the Roar Extra Loud e-newletters visit www.bornfree.org.uk/kids-club.

We supported artist Jane Lee McCracken as she worked with hundreds of children across north east England to deliver Biro drawing workshops. This led to an endangered animals’ exhibition in Tyne and Wear, attended by Will Travers OBE.

Our partner, Cornish artist John Dyer, connects children to the natural world through music and art, live-streamed from endangered ecosystems around the world. Find out more on our website.

WINTER 2019 | EDUCATIon 27

CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION CONUNDRUM 28 CONSERVATION | WINTER 2019

Chimpanzees are remarkable beings and Dr Liz Greengrass has a passion to protect them. She considers the complex issues surrounding our endangered cousins.

T

he Hoima corridor – an unprotected, forested area in Uganda – supports approximately 300 chimpanzees. Within a handful of years, the Bulindi Chimpanzee and Community Project has successfully stopped two decades worth of deforestation by working with local farmers on sustainable rural development that preserves the forest and promotes co-existence with wildlife. The project clearly demonstrates that, where habitat loss represents the largest threat, chimpanzees can be effectively protected.

Yet chimpanzee numbers across the continent continue to plummet. In 2017, chimpanzees in West Africa were listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In West and Central Africa the bushmeat trade, and associated trades in live infants as pets and body parts for traditional medicine, is decimating populations. Unless action is taken, we could now be standing on the brink of a world without non-human great apes.

In 2006, I conducted a survey of chimpanzees in the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary in south west Cameroon. Hunting was rampant and the consensus was that there were few chimpanzees. Despite this pessimistic outlook, the survey demonstrated that while hunting was severe, the sanctuary still supported a significant population of

BORN FREE APE ACTION ï We monitor chimpanzee populations and help people and apes co-exist ï We campaign against the illegal global trade in ape bushmeat and live infants ï We help Eco Activists for Governance and Law Enforcement (EAGLE) enforce legislation and prosecute wildlife traffickers in central and west Africa ï We rescue orphans from trade and fund their care in African sanctuaries.

chimpanzees. This was being protected by cultural taboos against eating their meat, as well as traditional beliefs.

In 2016, I returned to resume my research. Results of further surveys showed that, within a decade, their numbers had been decimated. The price of chimpanzee meat had stayed the same, indicating that there hadn’t been a rise in consumption. However, results showing a severe decline in areas of the sanctuary under severe hunting pressure suggested that they were being targeted. The arrest of hunters carrying chimpanzee hands and feet pointed towards a developing trade in fetishes across the border in Nigeria.

Hunters had developed a side business to supplement this trade.

In countries with little wildlife tourism and where wild animals and natural capital are poorly valued, protected areas are poorly enforced and have evolved into a source of commercial meat production.

For marginalised rural communities, with poor access to alternative markets and scarce opportunities, the bushmeat trade can alleviate poverty, send children to school, and contribute to more balanced nutrition. But the conundrum today is that subsistence level hunting is inextricably linked to commercial and unsustainable trade, exacerbated by rapidly growing human populations, increased access to

firearms, and the opening up of forests to roads and infrastructure. A lack of regulation means that rare species of high conservation value are also targeted. More ominously, it has attracted criminal enterprise in the guise of illegal, international trade.

In the 1990s and 2000s, I worked with Dame Jane Goodall, studying wild chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. These fascinating apes are humankind’s closest living relatives, strikingly familiar in their intelligence, intricate cultures, and complex social lives. Like us, they play, make and use tools, and are capable of empathy, joy, fear, and reasoned thought. Projects like Bulindi and Banyang-Mbo remind us that their protection is possible in some areas of their range, but is confounded by a trade that can no longer exist at a subsistence level, in a world increasingly eroded of traditional beliefs, out for commercial gain. Born Free will never stop fighting to ensure a future for our wild cousins. Thank you for all you do to support us.

Dr Liz Greengrass Head of Conservation liz@bornfree.org.uk

HOW MANY WILD CHIMPS REMAIN? As few as 18,000

Western

As few as 6,000

Nigeria-Cameroon

Around 140,000

Central

As few as

181,000

Eastern Image © www.georgelogan.co.uk

WINTER 2019 | CONSERVATION 29

MY

VIEW FRONT LINE Making an impact in the field.

In the face of species decline,

rampant habitat loss and rapid climate change, the world of

conservation can seem very bleak.

It was these challenges and my

burning desire to understand the

complex lives of animals that initially

drew me to get involved. Whilst there are many issues to be concerned

about, I have hope. Hope that, with

you by our side, we can change the

course for nature. Like me, there are

many scientists, conservationists and practitioners determined to share stories of optimism, hope and

success in conservation. This work emboldens and empowers many other people to engage.

Conservation optimism is not about sugar-coating issues or living in

blissful ignorance. Neither is it poorly placed confidence in new gee-whizz technology or stoic resignation. It’s about celebrating success at all levels and, most importantly,

learning from our failures. The more we share stories of success, the

greater the chance to replicate them.

As renowned environmentalist David Orr said: "Hope is a verb with its

sleeves rolled up… hopeful people actively engage in defying or changing the odds." Hope engenders action.

Hope is powerful.

There is a Greek proverb, ‘a society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in’. It is easy to say such things at a distance, when you’re not on the bottom level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

When you’re struggling to get base level requirements of food, water, warmth and rest, the future is the least of your concerns when you might not see tomorrow. This is the life facing some people in Babile Elephant Sanctuary in Ethiopia. Others are focused on the here and now, unwilling to see the future they are creating when there is opportunity in the present. In surrounding areas, there used to be two lakes renowned for their birdlife. Now they lie empty, drained to water khat fields to feed today’s fix of the stimulant drug.

It may be called Babile Elephant Sanctuary, but we are trying to save more than just pachyderms – the park is home to hundreds of species including lions, cheetah and enormous tortoises. Yet the rate of settlement, deforestation and land conversion is happening at an alarming rate. Human-elephant conflict is a byproduct of the influx of settlers, people searching for a way to see tomorrow. They are subsistence farmers out for themselves because no one else seems to look out for them. The crops they grow in the sanctuary bring them

face to face with the elephants. Due to the environmental damage being wrought, the elephants have to search further afield for food. Sometimes – tragically – one side kills the other, but both ultimately lose if we cannot save the environment. Charcoal manufacture continues unabated and, if we cannot stop it, land degradation will accelerate, pushing more people closer to the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy, creating more conflict and condemning our children to a future bleaker than our own.

Nature can survive without us, we cannot survive without nature.

Peter Kenchington Field Specialist Babile Elephant Sanctuary

ELEPHANTS IN ETHIOPIA Once widespread, Ethiopia’s elephants have been devastated, with 90% lost to ivory poaching in the 1980s. Today as few as 1,850 remain. The 2,700 square mile Babile Elephant Sanctuary, 350 miles east of Addis Ababa, is home to some 350 elephants, but faces many challenges.

Born Free has worked to stop poaching and reduce conflict and other human pressures since 2015.

Penny Banham Conservation Project Officer penny@bornfree.org.uk

Fabric dipped in chilli oil deters elephants and protects crops

Born Free promotes Compassionate Conservation – every animal counts!

We protect threatened species in their natural habitat | We oppose the global wildlife trade and sport hunting | We reduce conflict so people and wild animals can co-exist 30 CONSERVATION | WINTER 2019

CONSERVATION

WILD LIFESAVER Heroic people who get things done.

Born Free is delighted to announce the winner of the 7th Virginia McKenna Award for Compassionate Conservation, Dr Jamartin Sihite. Named in honour of our Co-Founder, the £15,000 annual award recognises outstanding individual conservationists who prioritise animal welfare, while undertaking the protection of threatened species, environmental education, or developing conservation policy. Orangutans are severely threatened by rapid rainforest clearance for palm oil production, as well as hunting and the illegal pet trade. Bornean orangutan populations have declined by more than 80% in just three generations and today around 55,000 survive.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), Dr Sihite works to save critically endangered Bornean orangutans in Indonesia. When appointed in 2012,

BOSF had rescued over 800 orphaned orangutans. But with no suitable wild places to release rehabilitated individuals, their future remained uncertain. So BOSF got to work and, by establishing and securing three protected peat forests in central and east Kalimantan, has succeeded in reintroducing over 400 of these individuals back to their natural environment – a huge boost to dwindling wild populations.

Dr Sihite’s award is richly deserved and will help ensure the release of another 24 ex-captive orangutans from rehabilitation centres into reintroduction sites. “My commitment to securing the future for orangutans remains unwavering,” said Dr Sihite. “With my team of 440 dedicated staff, we remain passionate and dedicated to achieving that crucial task.” PB

“I am thrilled Dr Sihite has won our award. His vital work and outstanding achievements in rehabilitating and reintroducing orangutans in Indonesia is testament to his dedication to conservation and the survival of these great apes. By supporting Dr Sihite and his team, we can help give these orangutans another chance at life in the wild, where they belong.”

Virginia McKenna OBE Co-Founder & Trustee WINTER 2019 | CONSERVATION 31

CONSERVATION SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

FOREST ELEPHANTS Taking action for rare wildlife.

Few animals elicit such intense emotions and keen interest as elephants. The forest elephants of central and western Africa are no different, but they urgently need attention. As ecological engineers, this enigmatic species shape their dense tropical home, dispersing seeds in their dung, and recycling nutrients. Recent research has shown that forest elephants are crucial in the fight against climate change. Their preference for eating fast growing, young tree saplings ensures that slow-growing trees capable of absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide dominate the forest.

However, forest elephants are racing towards extinction. Between 2006 and 2011, the global forest elephant population declined by approximately

62%.The status of this species could be even worse now – we simply don’t know. The greatest threats to forest elephants are poaching, habitat loss from human encroachment, armed conflict and a lack of knowledge and protection. Forest elephants are now only found in eight African countries: Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana. Securing these populations is critical in preventing the extinction of this species. While the decline of forest elephants is tragic, any losses suffered also have a global impact due to forest elephants’ key ecosystem roles.

In 2019, Born Free began supporting Elephant Research and Conservation, a

conservation organisation aiming to conduct a countrywide survey of Liberia to estimate the elephant population. Our work extends to Ghana, where we are supporting two researchers studying the forest elephants of Bia Conservation Area. Both sites are critical areas for forest elephants and we hope that our support will be instrumental in helping to secure these populations and safeguard the crucial services that elephants provide. PB

LARGEST LAND ANIMAL There are three species of elephant: the four metre six tonne African savannah elephant, the 2.5 metre 2.7 tonne African forest elephant, and the three metre 5.4 tonne Asian elephant.

© R Marchegiani

CONSERVATION NEwS IN bRIEf

Lions in Kenya

Elephants in Kenya

Wolves in Ethiopia

Good news from our Pride of Meru project: there are six new additions to Elsa’s Pride. Makena, Liz, and Elsa all have beautiful young cubs. The prominent dark-maned male, Mfalme, is proud father to all these newcomers.

Monitoring elephants for over 46 years, our colleagues at the Amboseli Elephant Research Project have amassed a goldmine of invaluable data. To date, researchers have followed the lives of 3,428 individuals.

Critical afroalpine habitat is being protected thanks to a new beekeeping project run by the Born Free-supported Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme. Honey production benefits livelihoods, encouraging people to conserve natural resources.

32 CONSERVATION | WINTER 2019

CHRISTMAS BONUS We partner with companies who share our core values. All these exciting new products benefit Born Free.

Clouded Leopard gin

Celebrity Patrons gathered for a spectacular evening

15% of profits benefit our leopard work.

Green People

WINDS OF CHANGE “The energy in the room was palpable,” exclaimed our Co-Founder Will Travers OBE. “A sense of commitment and optimism, and a feeling that, together, we can Keep Wildlife in the Wild.”

Celebrity patrons, supporters and the future generation of conservationists gathered for a remarkable evening at The Landmark, London, in September.

Born Free’s anniversary event showcased 35 years of heritage and presented an exciting vision for the future. The London Youth Choir opened the evening with a spellbinding performance, while Youth Ambassador and soprano Katie Marshall impressed

with her version of Born Free. Another Youth Ambassador, environmental campaigner Bella Lack, spoke with insight about how we can make changes to save our planet. Founder Patron Joanna Lumley OBE, actor Dan Richardson and broadcaster Gaby Roslin all talked movingly, while inimitable James Lewis raised the roof with his enthusiastic auction.

The evening also premiered our powerful and persuasive new canned hunting animation The Bitter Bond.

To find out more visit www.bornfree.org.uk/events

New teen range sponsors education.

Plum Products Swing set sales help protect orangutans.

Sugarhill New clothing from our long time partner.

Find out more at www.bornfree.org.uk/ corporate-partners

TAKE ON A CHALLENGE VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON

ISLE OF SKYE WILDERNESS & WILDLIFE EXPEDITION

CLIMB FOR CONSERVATION MOUNT KENYA EXPEDITION

April 2020

April 2020

October 2020

Join our squad of runners for the world’s greatest marathon. Raise funds for Born Free if you already have a place, or we have charity places if you missed out on the public ballot. We’ll supply a Born Free running vest and help you fundraise.

Follow in Virginia McKenna’s footsteps to mark 50 years since she and Bill Travers starred in the film Ring of Bright Water. Enjoy hiking and camping under the stars, and look for incredible wildlife including sea otters, golden eagles and dolphins.

Take a walk on the wild side and climb Africa’s second-highest peak! Camp under stars, hike through volcanic landscapes and forest dense with wildlife, see glaciers and sparkling lakes, and visit conservation projects supported by Born Free.

WINTER 2019 | PARTNERShIPS 33

Celebrating individuals who use their creative gifts to support wildlife.

Talented Creative Director at agency Engine, Steve Hawthorne has developed effective award-winning Born Free campaigns for nearly a decade.

“With creative partner Katy Hopkins, my job involves overseeing accounts from B&Q to Sky Mobile, guiding creatives towards the best work possible,” Steve explains. “But I’ve always loved animals and enjoyed seeing them in the wild. I’m married to a South African and have been lucky enough to go on safari. Nothing beats seeing an animal in its natural environment. Although I have a soft spot for orangutans and rhinos, the richness and variety of the natural world is one of the most amazing things. And it’s all interconnected. So it all needs protecting.”

Steve and Katy first got involved with Born Free back in 2010. “We had been working on a commercial project with world class wildlife photographer George Logan and had an idea to highlight the terrible reduction in natural habitats. George suggested Born Free and it turned into the Homeless Animals campaign. Nine years later, we’re still working with Born Free and absolutely loving it.”

Steve and Katy grabbed attention in 2015, with their shocking cookery show radio ad featuring a gorilla as the chief ingredient. “The trickiest thing about any charity job is telling people about it in a fresh way. People are bombarded with bad news. To stand out you need a twist.” Thought-provoking material can have an immense impact and, in 2015, their Born to be Free wildlife trade initiative helped bring about a new EU action plan. “That’s one of the campaigns I’m most proud of in my whole career. It’s often hard to quantify what you achieve, so to be part of that success was great!”

34 WILD LIFE | WINTER 2019

In 2017, digital posters in shopping centres nationwide transformed into life-size interactive orca tanks, with shoppers donating to see an orca swim to freedom. “Our friends at Ocean Outdoor have an incredible array of digital poster sites. Technically advanced, you can produce adverts that really engage people passing by.” Steve and Katy’s Tank Free campaign led to a 500% increase in Born Free’s orca adoptions and received a prestigious silver medal at the Cannes Lion industry awards. But how do they manage to pull in so many favours? “People are willing to invest in pro-bono work. One reason is they believe in the charity and want to help make a difference. The second is they believe in the work, it allows them to create something they can be proud of professionally. Both are important.”

Following this year’s compelling and influential trophy hunting campaign, new for 2019 is a powerful two-minute film exposing brutal canned hunting. “If you haven’t seen it yet, please go online and search for The Bitter Bond. This animated ad tells the story of a lion cub and its keeper in South Africa and reflects the real circle of life faced by most of the country’s lions. It’s not an easy watch but carries a hugely important message.

I really hope it will be the best and most effective piece of work we have created for Born Free to date.”

Steve was talking to Celia Nicholls.

Steve with his creativ e partner Katy Hopkins

© www.georgelogan.co.uk

IT’S A WILD LIFE

RAISED IN CAPTIVITY.

CUDDLED FOR CASH.

SOLD TO HUNTERS. This is the real circle of life for most lions in South Africa.

I have worked at Born Free for the past nine years and during that time have learnt some shocking truths about the plight of wild animals around the world. But none saddened me more than the captive lion breeding practices taking place in South Africa.

Lions born in captivity are taken from their mothers at a young age, to be hand-raised by unwitting paying tourists, then used as photo props. As they get older, they are typically sold to hunters for canned hunts, to be shot in a confined area from which they cannot escape. The exploitation doesn’t stop there, once each trophy has been collected, the skeleton is sold to the Far East for traditional medicines.

It was my shock on hearing about the plight of these captive lions that led to

the launch of The Great Betrayal – our new campaign to urge the South African government to end canned hunting. We needed a platform for change where the public could become involved and where people like myself, with limited knowledge of this barbaric practice, could be educated and make informed decisions not to visit these facilities.

Working with our good friends at Engine and Zombie Studio, we have created a compelling two-minute animation, The Bitter Bond. Set to the Academy Award-winning song Born Free performed by Matt Munro, the emotive new short film tells the shocking story of one lion’s life in captivity. At least 8,000 lions and other predators are believed to languish in around 250 facilities in South Africa,

exploited for profit at every stage of their lives. The process is unethical and immoral. This horror has to end.

I personally hope The Bitter Bond will prompt you, your friends and family and the wider public to sign our petition and avoid visiting lion petting facilities in the future. The plight of these animals is appalling, but together we can end the great betrayal and ensure they have a brighter future.

A future where South Africa’s lions are born free and live wild.

Matt Smithers Head of Marketing & Fundraising matt@bornfree.org.uk

To watch the film and sign our petition visit www.bornfree.org.uk/great-betrayal

ADOPT AN ANIMAL

SAVE A LIFE Born Free’s adoptions have helped save and care for hundreds of wild animals around the world.

Your adoption today will make a real difference.

KING THE LION A young lion rescued from an apartment on the outskirts of Paris, where he was kept illegally as an exotic pet. Now enjoying a life free from harm at Born Free’s big cat sanctuary in South Africa.

Help fund his lifetime care, including food, veterinary checks and enclosure upkeep.

£3 a month or one-off payment of £36 for the year

ELEPHANT FAMILY

BODO THE MOON BEAR

GIRAFFE FAMILY

TIMTOM THE ORANGUTAN

A close-knit herd of elephants who live in the wilds of Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Bodo is missing his right front paw. He was rescued from a bear farm and lives at Animals Asia’s sanctuary in China.

Roaming wild in Niger, the West African giraffe is the rarest sub-species of giraffe in the world.

Rescued when only nine months old, Timtom is now being rehabilitated at a reserve in Borneo.

See the full range and adopt at www.bornfree.org.uk/save-a-life Photos © C Gillson/BF, ATE, Animals Asia, H Roland, Orangutan Foundation