News & Updates

Virginia McKenna, OBE and founder of the Born Free Foundation, explains why nurturing the next generation is so important:

Tilikum, the largest orca in captivity and whose life was featured in the blockbuster film, Blackfish, has died. Reports emerged last year of Tilikum’s deteriorating health due to a drug-resistant bacterial lung infection, but today SeaWorld has confirmed that he has tragically passed away.

Charity calls on EU and UK authorities to step up. On 30th December 2016 Chinese State Media revealed the State Council’s plans to stop all commercial processing and sale of ivory by 31 March 2017, and completely shut down its domestic ivory market by the end of 2017.

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.