Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Species: Lion (Panthera leo)
Date of birth: Estimated, late Spring 2009

In late 2009, a development work representative who had recently returned from a trip to the far south of Ethiopia alerted Born Free to Safia’s situation. They reported seeing a small lioness cub chained in a wooden shack. She was being poked with sticks and pelted with rocks by local children.

Asked to assist by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Born Free travelled to Hudet in southern Ethiopia with an EWCA representative.  Stressed and angry, at seven months old, Safia was far older than Born Free had been informed and her front right foot looked unnaturally offset. On further investigation Born Free was told Safia’s foot had been damaged when children had thrown rocks at her.  Safia was placed in a temporary home at Ensessakotteh and her chain removed.

With the help of Thomson Airways and Friends of Wildlife in Guernsey, Safia has been rehomed to a more spacious enclosure within Ensessakotteh and introduced to Dolo who she now shares a space with. 

If you would like to help Born Free to care for Safia, click here

Species: Lion (Panthera leo)
Date of birth: Estimated, Autumn 2006

In the autumn of 2006, two young orphaned lion cubs were handed to the Deputy Head of Mission and his wife at the Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa by an Italian NGO.  Their early history is not clear.

As the brothers grew, it became obvious to the Italian couple that a more appropriate home was needed and Born Free Foundation was approached to try and find a solution.  Exporting the lions to an existing Born Free sanctuary was not an option; the Ethiopian Government did not want them to leave the country.  Discussions with the Wildlife Department exposed a lack of resources to help in these situations.  While wild animals were being illegally traded or orphaned, it was difficult for them to intervene as there was nowhere for them to put the rescued animals.  With the support of the Italian Deputy Head of Mission, Born Free was able to approach President Girma and with his help, the plan for the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Education Centre was developed and land eventually secured.  The Italian lion were given a temporary home in the PResidential Palace.

In November 2011, with the generous support of our supporters, the Italian lions, named Andrea and Janu, were relocated from their temporary enclosure in the Presidential Palace to a large naturalistic enclosure within the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Education Centre.  The brothers are settling in well, exploring their new territory.

If you would like to help Born Free to care for the “Italian” lions, click here

Species: Lion (Panthera leo)
Date of birth: Estimated, 1999

Three abandoned lion cubs were found by a group of soldiers in the Bale Region of Ethiopia. We don’t know what happened to the lions' parents, but the soldiers captured the cubs.

Tragically, on the drive back to the army base, one of the cubs, the only female, leapt out of the moving vehicle and was killed. The two remaining brothers survived the journey and were put in a cage near the Battalion’s parade ground. They lived in that cage for the next 12 years until in March 2011, the army asked our partners, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, for help.  Born Free Foundation knew we needed to provide a new home at Ensessakotteh. 

Thankfully, Born Free supporters' rapid response to our appeal for Major and General meant we were able to rescue Major and General in November 2011!  Thank you!

Although somewhat nervous of people, Major and General are slowly settling in to their spacious, grassy enclosure at Ensessakotteh.

If you would like to help Born Free to care for Major and General, click here