Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Hugging himself for comfort, his eyes downcast and his thoughts who knows where, a forlorn chimp sits hunched in a tiny cage in a zoo in Poland.

In the wild this perceptive, inventive creature would be surrounded by his family, relying on his intelligence in an ever-changing jungle environment. But in Poland he is surrounded by concrete and metal. Every day is the same. He suffers unimaginable deprivation.

Forgive me for starting the New Year with such a distressing image. But it is impossible for me to close my eyes to this chimp’s plight.

I recently returned from Ethiopia. Here I saw a desperate lioness standing on her hind legs and pressing her face against rusty bars, as if trying to reach out to me. She lives her entire life in that tiny cage, in a pathetic downtrodden zoo.

Wild lions enjoy vast territories on the open savannah, living on their wits and hunting for prey in prides. Imagine this lioness’ frustration, cooped up alone, all day every day. Many other shocking images haunt me.

In Austria a thin, sad elephant gazes bleakly through her electric fence, neurotically rocking from side to side. In the wild, this sensitive creature would live amongst her family in a rich and varied habitat.

In France a miserable black jaguar languishes in an antiquated cage so small there is barely room to walk around, and absolutely nowhere to escape from public gaze.

Just a snapshot of rundown zoos, dilapidated enclosures and mistreated and neglected animals. The agony and suffering is immense. It would make me weep, if it didn’t make me so angry.

Now that I am 80 I appreciate all the more that there is no time to waste. I want to make the most of every minute and I need your help. Will you help me get 2012 off to a flying start for the animals?

With your support, Born Free wants to transform the lives of zoo animals, phase-out the worst slum zoos and convert others into sanctuaries. We need to ensure that legislation is properly enforced.

Like David against Goliath, we challenge the multi-billion pound international zoo industry. The report here tells you about our plans.

Make it this year’s resolution to help Born Free stop captive animal misery. Please send our charity a gift today.

It’s almost impossible to put a target on this appeal as we need to take action in Europe and worldwide. But I personally guarantee that every single pound you send us will be put to good use and make a positive difference.

Like you, we seek a brighter, better, more compassionate future. A future where wild animals are no longer exploited for cruel and old-fashioned ‘entertainment’. Where they are appreciated, admired and treated with kindness.

Thank you for reading this. I hope so much you feel as I do.

Yours sincerely

Virginia McKenna OBE
Founder and Trustee
Born Free Foundation

PS I'm sure you'll agree, these pictures and this video say it all.

Find out about our plans here >