News & Updates

The latest news, blogs and features from Born Free.

Press contact: [email protected]+44 (0)1403 240 170
An image of a lion skin laid out as a rug, on a large advertising screen on the front of the Vue cinema at Leicester Square

Born Free. Not For Sport

Powerful images by award-winning photographer George Logan set to appear across London, as we call for a ban on hunting trophies.
A majestic male lion sits on grass facing the camera

Ten years since Cecil – what next for trophy hunting?

After the horrifying killing of Cecil the lion in 2015, precious little has changed.
Two African elephants touch heads

Elephants at Shanghai Wild Animal Park: Born Free reaction

Born Free is extremely concerned to see videos and images circulated featuring the African elephants at Shanghai Wild Animal Park, China.
A photo of John Scanlon speaking at an event

Meet wildlife crime expert John Scanlon: long read interview

Our Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones chats to his long-term associate John Scanlon AO, Chair of the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime – founded with our help on 5th June 2020.
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.