News & Updates

The latest news, blogs and features from Born Free.

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A close up portrait shot of a wild badger

New paper undermines Government’s rationale for badger culling

Analysis highlights flaws in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial, which forms the basis of the policy to shoot British badgers.
Close up of a badger with leaves in the foreground

More misery for badgers as Labour approves mass shooting

Government ignores internal expert advice as it sanctions further killing of badgers.
An orca leaping out of the sea

Springer’s story: why dolphins belong in the sea

With half-term upon us, let’s encourage everyone not to visit dolphin shows. The true tale of a special orca reminds us why these sentient beings shouldn’t be kept in tanks.
A group of elephants walking around in a muddy enclosure

Born Free laments missed opportunity of new zoo standards

The zoo industry is claiming new zoo standards announced by the government today represent a big step forward. However, we don’t think they go nearly far enough.
A photo of a man standing in front on an animal enclosure holding a sedated lion cub. The man's face has been blurred out.

Give animals a voice this ‘Report It!’ Week

As the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition’s ‘Report It!’ Week 2025 begins, Born Free highlights the ways members of the public can speak out about animal abuse and exploitation.
A cheetah cub looks through the bars of an animal carrier crate

Groundbreaking international treaty to protect wildlife from criminals

After years of work from Born Free with our #EndWildlifeCrime colleagues, the Council of Europe has adopted a legally binding treaty to help protect wildlife and the wider environment from crime.
A mother rhino with her calf in a concrete enclosure

Planning application for new zoo in Cumbria denied

Born Free welcomes the news that the previous management team at South Lakes Safari Zoo will not be opening a new zoo in Cumbria.
A small animal in a cage at a wildlife market

Could the WHO Pandemics Agreement mark a turning point for wildlife?

Historic agreement could put wild animal welfare at the heart of new approach to human health.
Two orcas are in a small and shallow-looking swimming pool

Plight of orcas and dolphins at Marineland continues

Born Free is extremely concerned by recent revelations regarding the health and welfare of orcas Wikie and Keijo, and 12 bottlenose dolphins, at the Marineland dolphinarium in Antibes, France.