News & Updates

The Centre for Whale Research has announced that the 105 year old orca, known as Granny (orca J2), is presumed dead. “Granny’’, the oldest known orca (or killer whale), was last seen in October 2016 and was the leader (or matriarch) of J pod. Her presumed death marks the 7th death of a Southern Resident Killer Whale in 2016, bringing the wild population to only 78 individuals across all three family groups (J, K, and L).

Partners since 2007, Born Free is proud to be able to facilitate continued support for the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) in Malawi thanks to Margot Raggett and Remembering Elephants. In 2014 the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, run by LWT, had rescued a total 83 wild animals, released 58 of them and had 254 under their long-term care. Some were victims of human-wildlife conflict and many were rescued from the illegal bushmeat or pet trades. Despite taking in every animal they could, the team were also getting an increasing number of calls about helping wild animals in distress, especially rhinos or elephants in National Parks across the country that were injured by snares set by poachers.

It has been reported that seven Humboldt penguins were found dead at a zoo in Canada over the weekend. The penguins were due to perform in one of Calgary Zoo’s shows, when it was discovered that all seven had died in a holding area.

Born Free’s Founder Patron, Joanna Lumley OBE and President & CEO, Will Travers OBE, appeal for more to be done to save the endangered giraffe. Along with elephants, rhino, lions, tigers and many more species, giraffe are now officially endangered.

Earlier this week, at the world-renowned Tusk Conservation Awards, held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, HRH The Duke of Cambridge presented John Kahekwa, founder of the Pole Pole Foundation International (POPOF), with the highly-prestigious Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa. This lifetime achievement award recognises outstanding dedication and exceptional contribution to conservation in Africa.

It has emerged today that Asian elephant Tonzi at Twycross zoo has been put to sleep after suffering from severe arthritis. Tonzi was only 32 years old. The news comes four years after she was filmed on CCTV being beaten by her keepers at the zoo.

Horrifying footage has emerged of a male lion attacking a trainer at a live circus event in Egypt. It is reported that the lion attacked the trainer and bit his neck during a performance in Alexandria.

It is saddening news to report that four dolphins have arrived in Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain) over the weekend; seemingly to be displayed at the newly built dolphinarium in Rancho Texas zoo. The Born Free Foundation has been supporting the #StopDelfinarioLanzarote campaign, created by the Spanish NGO, FAADA, to stop the construction of a captive dolphin facility on Lanzarote and inevitable import of dolphins.

News from our partners at the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust: Wildlife crime history was set in Malawi this week with not one but two unprecedented court rulings - the first ever conviction of an individual dealing in rhino horn and, in a separate case, the first ever policemen to be convicted for wildlife trafficking.

The Pole Pole Foundation (POPOF) team in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been hard at work, supporting the Global Friends Environment Club at Anga Primary School. As a result of the work of the students and the POPOF team in engaging with the local community they have a new member, the community leader himself! Pictured here (right) with the Environment Club, he has thanked them for their invaluable initiatives to educate younger pupils about keeping wildlife in the wild.