People and Wildlife Centres
An introduction to an exciting new Born Free Foundation initiative.
People and Wildlife (PAW) Centres aim to address the big picture at a local level. Conservation, animal welfare, environmental and humanitarian issues, health and education - making a positive difference to the lives of both people and wildlife.
The Mission of a PAW Centre
“To develop a site-specific, self-sustaining, ‘People and Wildlife’ wild animal rescue and education centre that promotes an holistic appreciation and understanding of animal welfare, wildlife conservation, environmental protection and humanitarian issues and actively engages in wildlife release and in-situ conservation programmes."
Working alongside consultants Dr Cheryl Mvula and Lee Stewart, Born Free is piloting an innovative new idea. The ‘People and Wildlife Centre’ concept is aimed at helping new sanctuaries develop in a way that will benefit the entire community, reflecting the interdependence of environment, people and wildlife.
This concept is currently being piloted in Malawi at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
- This baboon, found outside Liwondi National Park, was kept on a chain for two years before the centre at Lilongwe rescued him
The Core Criteria of a People and Wildlife Centre
A. Wildlife
- Provide sanctuary space for rescued, confiscated, orphaned and injured wild animals
- Exclusively house wild animals that have been rescued, confiscated, injured or orphaned
- Operate to animal welfare standards of the highest order
- Where possible, encourage statutory authorities to enforce, and when necessary improve, legislation that prevents the illegal exploitation and cruel treatment of wildlife
- Return rescued wildlife to the wild whenever feasible under controlled, monitored and pre-agreed conditions
- Participate in in-situ conservation work in home country
- Have a strict no breeding policy for animals that are not part of on-going release programmes
- Not sell, trade, exchange or commercially exploit wildlife for financial gain
- Operate a strict ‘non contact’ policy between wildlife and visitors including the use of wildlife for staged photo opportunities between animals and visitors and the feeding of animals by visitors
- Not operate any animal ‘shows’ where animals are trained to perform for visitors
B. People
- Build awareness & provide education & advise on animal welfare, wildlife conservation and environmental protection
- Build awareness & provide education & advise on local and national humanitarian issues relevant to home country (taking account of UN Millennium Development goals)
- Provide an interactive recreational and educational resource for local people and overseas visitors
- Develop and implement a business plan that aims to achieve financial sustainability
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