News & Updates

The latest news, blogs and features from Born Free.

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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 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.
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.
A photo of a depressed-looking gorilla sitting with its head resting on its hand, in a barren concrete enclosure.

Mental Health Awareness Week and Born Free

Why would a wildlife charity be interested in emotional well-being? And is unnatural, ‘zoochotic’ behaviour in captive wild animals a mental health issue?
An orca swims alongside the glass of an aquarium tank

Lone female orca in Loro Parque pregnant again

Born Free laments news of the impending birth of another captive orca at the marine park in Tenerife.
Two orcas swimming inside a glass fronted pool at Marineland

The fate of Marineland’s orcas

With plans under discussion to send Wikie and Keijo to Loro Parque Zoo, the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition calls on the French Government to retire the pair to a sanctuary instead.
A close-up photo of three dolphins in a pool

Fighting for dolphins: a Tank Free timeline

For 40 years, Born Free has fought to free captive whales and dolphins. We won’t stop until their exploitation stops but, we need your help, explains Sarah Jefferson from our Policy team.
A group of penguins standing on an artificial glacier in a dimly-lit underground aquarium

Campaign calls for release of penguins kept underground

Born Free joins Freedom for Animals in calling for the removal of 15 gentoo penguins currently housed belowground at Sea Life, London.
A photo of an orca leaping backwards out of a pool, in front of an audience.

Planning a holiday in 2025? Make sure it’s Tank Free

A ‘holiday of a lifetime’ could mean a lifetime of horror for captive whales and dolphins forced to perform at some of the world’s most popular holiday hotspots.