News & Updates

The latest news, blogs and features from Born Free.

Press contact: [email protected]+44 (0)1403 240 170

Pets you never knew were legal in the UK

It is currently legal to keep almost any animal as a pet in the UK unless there is legislation in place which specifically bans the keeping of that breed or species. Born Free is increasingly concerned by the number of wild animals being traded and kept as exotic pets, both legally and illegally.
A group of gentoo penguins walking inside an indoor aquarium made to look lice a snowy landscape, with some swimming in a pool at the front

Update: Gentoo penguins at SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Born Free and other campaign groups respond to the outcomes of a meeting concerning the future of the Gentoo 15.
Two reindeer are inside a small fenced pen in the middle of a high street, two people dressed as elves are standing with them, and a man is kneeling down with a young child holding a carrot to feed them

Born Free renews call for reindeer-free festive events

A record 35 organisations and experts have joined this year’s campaign calling for festive events to not use live reindeer in 2025.
A gentoo penguin stands on a fake rock made to look like ice, in a basement enclosure

MPs demand action for SEA LIFE London’s ‘Gentoo 15’

More than 70 MPs have signed an open letter to Government calling for an urgent review of the penguins’ welfare.
A group of protestors holding 'Free the 15' placards

Celebrities and protestors unite to ‘Free the 15’

Chris Packham, Feargal Sharkey, Megan McCubbin and Dale Vince joined crowds of protesters to call for the release of penguins at SEA LIFE London Aquarium.
A black and white photo of an elephant standing next to two people who are crouching on the ground.

Dame Virginia McKenna remembers Pole Pole

On the 42nd anniversary of the death of Pole Pole the elephant, Born Free Co-Founder Dame Virginia McKenna DBE shares her poignant words of remembrance.
An elephant stands in front of a concrete building

Captive elephant deaths emphasise need to phase out elephants in zoos

Born Free is saddened and frustrated by recent tragic events involving elephants in zoos around the world.
A monkey chained to a rocking horse

Two years on, government inaction leaves animals used in tourism to suffer

The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act remains toothless despite campaigning from Born Free and our partners.
A white tiger is behind glass with a paw raised, while people stand in front and one raises a hand to the glass

School zoo visit? What you can do

Is your child’s class taking a trip to the zoo this term? Would you prefer your young one not to visit a facility that keeps wild animals captive for ‘entertainment’? We’re here to help!
A protest outside TUI HQ in Hanover

Born Free calls on TUI to stop supporting dolphin exploitation

We are supporting the latest protest targeting travel giant TUI and their continued promotion and sale of dolphinaria ‘experiences’ around the world.