Born Free Foundation
Founded in 1984, Born Free is an international wildlife charity, working globally to oppose the exploitation and suffering of wild animals. They also actively protect endangered species and their natural habitats, while campaigning for a future where animals and people can coexist peacefully.
What does Born Free do?
“At Born Free, we are passionate about wildlife conservation and animal welfare. We work tirelessly to prevent individual animal suffering, protect threatened species, and keep wildlife in the wild.
Our work includes:
- Protecting endangered species: We work on the ground to help keep iconic species like lions, elephants, tigers, and gorillas safe. We do this by tackling threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans.
- Rescuing animals from captivity: We rescue wild animals from cruel and inappropriate captive environments, before providing them with lifelong care in sanctuaries where they can express their natural behaviours.
- Campaigning for change: We advocate for stronger laws and policies to protect wildlife and end cruel practices, raising public awareness and inspiring action.
- Working with local communities: We believe that conservation is most effective when it involves and benefits local people, so we work in partnership to find sustainable solutions for all.”
Born Free works to end trophy hunting
Trophy hunting is the killing of wild animals for sport or pleasure in order to collect and display part of their bodies as trophies, sometimes even the entire body. The most common trophies are the animal's horns, antlers, hides, or heads but other parts like skins or tusks are also known to be collected.
Hunters often target the biggest and most impressive animals, which could result in more small-tusked and tuskless elephants being seen because of a declining gene pool. It’s possible these elephants might find it harder to find water during periods of drought, as they can use their tusks to dig holes in dry riverbeds to reach underground water.
This issue also impacts other animals.
Research carried out by Oxford University found trophy hunting had the “single most significant effect” on lion populations. You might remember the story of Cecil the lion, who lived wild and free on the plains of Africa. In July 2015, Cecil was callously killed with a bow and arrow by American dentist Walter Palmer.
Trophy hunting not only threatens individual elephants and lions but also has knock-on effects on the wider ecosystem.
Born Free Foundation works in Africa on a number of conservation and welfare projects. For example, the Ensessa Kotteh Wildlife Centre, a haven for rescued lions, and conservation projects in Meru National Park, help protect populations of various species.
Hunters, including those from the UK, can have a big impact on wildlife ecosystems and wider communities. Born Free is calling for the government to pass the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill that would ban the importation of endangered species’ body parts into the UK. This ban would send a clear message that such exploitation of endangered wildlife is unacceptable and help lessen the demand for hunting trophies.
There is also hope this could be expanded in the future to offer even greater protection.
Examples of Born Free’s work in Africa
Guardians of Dja, Cameroon
This project contributes to the preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and its incredible biodiversity, including endangered gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants, while also supporting the local community.
Ensessa Kotteh, Ethiopia
Managed by Born Free, this Wildlife, Rescue and Education Centre serves as a sanctuary for wild animals in need of care, and a hub for community engagement. They provide centre-based learning for schools, nature clubs, colleges, and universities.
Meru Conservation Area, Kenya
Born Free is committed to conserving the lion, giraffe, rhino, and elephant population in Kenya. This includes their ‘Saving Meru’s Giants’ team, who have constructed beehive fences as a nature-based strategy to reduce conflict between elephants and farmers. Elephants will naturally avoid bees, so these fences help to protect farmers’ crops from damage, resulting in reducing human-wildlife conflict in the area, and provide an extra source of income from honey.