About Us
We Are Born Free
OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE
We work tirelessly to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect and are able to live their lives according to their needs.
As a leading wildlife charity, we oppose the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaign to keep them where they belong – in the wild.
We promote Compassionate Conservation to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats while respecting the needs and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals.
We seek to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world.
Our Work
Rescue & Care
Anti-Captivity
Wildlife Trade
Climate Change
UK Education
Our History
Virginia and Bill went on to make several wildlife films together, including in 1969 An Elephant Called Slowly with an elephant calf called Pole Pole (pronounced Poly Poly). When filming was over, Pole Pole was gifted to London Zoo by the Kenyan government. Virginia and Bill did everything they could to prevent this, but Pole Pole was sent to London.
In 1982, Virginia and Bill went to visit Pole Pole at the zoo. Pole Pole, in clear distress, remembered Virginia and Bill and stretched out her trunk to reach them.
Virginia and Bill launched a campaign to give Pole Pole a better life but in 1983, aged 16, Pole Pole died. Determined that her death would not be in vain, in 1984, Virginia, Bill and their eldest son Will launched Zoo Check – the charity that has evolved into Born Free. Today, Will Travers OBE is Born Free's Executive President, and Virginia McKenna DBE is a Trustee.
Our History
Heritage
Our Co-Founders
Who we work with
Our Patrons
Junior and Youth Ambassadors
Artists
Photographers
Partnerships and Coalitions
Meet Our Team
Meet the people behind the action – a team of like-minded individuals sharing the same goals, working together to secure a better future for wild animals.
Find out more
Wolves to lose vital protections under the Bern Convention
Celebrating community in Kenya
Born Free welcomes news that Europe’s largest marine zoo is to close its doors
What makes a cheetah?
Blackpool Zoo announces both expected elephant calves have died
Learning to look beyond zoos
Our policies
All of Born Free’s important policy documents, including our Privacy Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Child Privacy Notice, Vulnerable Persons Policy and Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy, can be found using the link below.