Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

When Born Free rescued dolphins Misha and Tom from their fetid tiny pool in Hisaronu, Turkey in September last year we were uncertain what the future held. The two young male dolphins had been brought there as a tourist ‘trap’; their owner hoping to entice people in, in order to experience the ‘magic of swimming with dolphins’. Many local tour operators, including TUI complained about the operation and along with local residents were up in arms.

When Born Free visited with Coronation Street’s ‘Gail’ Helen Worth to help expose the situation; we found two dolphins bobbing aimlessly in the corner of a tiled pool littered with fish remains and dolphin faeces. While there were protracted negotiations for their release; ultimately the disappearance of their owner gave us just a few days to pull together a rescue team. Working with Turkish partners Sualtı Araştırmaları Derneği (S.A.D) Misha and Tom were moved to a temporary sea pen in the hope that we could rehabilitate and return them to the wild from where they were stolen.

The initial few weeks were difficult; they were not eating properly; having been fed a very limited diet of frozen anchovy. But slowly with expert care and a new, specially constructed sea pen, they were getting fitter and healthier. Born Free visited Misha and Tom at the end of March for an update on their progress.

The work involved in trying to rehabilitate two captive dolphins is intense. We are lucky to have a dedicated team from S.A.D. and the support of two dolphin experts; Stephen McCulloch and Jeff Foster, along with our own veterinary consultant, John Knight. Fish has to be thawed and transported out to their pen five or six times a day. At each feeding session the dolphins have to be put through their paces. On the surface, this appears much like a dolphin show, but we have a limited environment in which to get two ‘captives’ ready to swim the equivalent of a marathon. Their 30 metre diameter and 15 metre deep pool may be one of the deepest pools for captive dolphins in the world, but we still have to get them exercising and ready for release. Speed swims and ball work encourages them to be active; while gentle encouragement for a ‘lay-out’ next to the platform has allowed the team to take bloods and samples for health checks without capturing them. What we saw when we were there were two much fatter healthier dolphins; but there is still a way to go. After one feeding session, the dolphins took off and raced around the perimeter of the net; it was wonderful to see them move so fast after their years in a tiny pool; but after their ‘work out’ they came to the surface, out of breath.

It is essential they get fitter before their release. It’s like training someone, whose only exercise to date has been to get up off the sofa to make a coffee, ready for the Olympic Games. Captivity does that to dolphins; it strips them of who they are; swift, intelligent, agile ocean predators. Our work now is to restore Misha and Tom and to bring out the true ‘dolphin’ in them. Current in-flight donations are helping with the rehabilitation of Tom and Misha. BFF Patron Helen, who recently visited them for a health check along with TV programme Daybreak said, ‘It’s thanks to the help of Thomson Airways that we are able to help these generous creatures back to where they belong’.

Funds from in-flight collections are helping fund the veterinary facilities in the new sanctuary. BFF founder Virginia McKenna, flew to Ethiopia to help move Dolo into his new home and meet the president as plans were being made, said, ‘As always, huge thanks to the cabin crew and passengers of Thomson Airways, their support has helped make our new centre possible. It is just brilliant being here and seeing what a difference we are all making in this area.’ Virginia is seen here with a commemorative plaque, detailing Thomson Airways support. More about the new sanctuary >

On Saturday May 30^th  a family of leopards set off for a new life in a South African sanctuary following a re-homing scheme headed by Born Free. The three leopards were flown from Cyprus to London Gatwick sleeping in the heated cargo hold of the aircraft. The leopards then continued their journey to their new home in Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa.

The leopards have been re-homed from Limassol zoo which is due to be transformed to meet the conditions of the European Zoo Directive - a European law that requires animals be kept in conditions that meet their biological needs.

Born Free’s founder Virginia McKenna and her team were also onboard the flight to accompany the leopards. Virginia made a PA announcement to all the customers onboard,  explaining the re-homing of the leopards and the work Born Free do. The customers thoroughly enjoyed the flight and felt part of the experience.

A huge thank you to the two Charity Champions Alison Green, Marie Nicols and the crew operating the flight who made the entire journey an occasion to remember. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone was taken care off and had everything they needed.