News & Updates

The latest news, blogs and features from Born Free.

Press contact: [email protected]+44 (0)1403 240 170
A lioness nuzzling a lion. They are both on a wooden platform with yellow flowers in the background

Farewell Madiba

With sadness we say goodbye to Madiba, the rescued lion who lived with the lioness Elsa Italia, at Animanatura Wild Sanctuary, Italy.
A giant tortoise on grass, looking at the camera with its mouth open as if smiling

Four tortoises now safe with us!

Our wildlife centre in Ethiopia doesn’t just rescue lions and cheetahs, we’re also a safe haven for dozens of tortoises, including four newcomers.
A man wearing a white lab coat and face mask, looking at samples through a microscope

Congratulations Hailu!

Born Free is delighted to announce that Hailu Dagnachew, from our Ensessa Kotteh team in Ethiopia, has received his Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree from the University of Ambo.
A photo of a hyena carrying a cardboard box packed with meat and vegetables, in its mouth

Caring for rescued lions, hyenas, monkeys and more!

With your help, Born Free provides species-specific enrichment for rescued animals at Ensessa Kotteh, Ethiopia. Our Rescue & Care Officer Dr Andrea Donaldson reports.
A close-up photo of a male lion with no mane

A tribute to Louga

We are extremely saddened to share that we recently had to say goodbye to our beloved 16-year-old lion Louga, at our sanctuary in South Africa.
A lion lying peacefully on a wooden platform surrounded by greenery and African plants, with a lioness standing on the platform behind him

Born Free secures South Africa’s first accredited big cat sanctuary status

Our Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve has been officially recognised for its exceptional standards as a sanctuary by global body GFAS.
An adult cheetah lying on the grass looking relaxed.

Farewell Barega

We are extremely sad to share the news that our precious rescued male cheetah Barega, who lived at Ensessa Kotteh wildlife centre in Ethiopia, passed away last month.
A leopard peers around a pole in a grassy landscape

Rescued leopards thriving in South Africa

Ginny and Alda, the two rescued leopards given a new life at Born Free's South African sanctuary, are thriving in their new home.
A female leopard emerging from a crate, into a South African sanctuary enclosure

New life for rescued leopards

On World Leopard Day, we welcome mother and daughter, Alda and Ginny, who have arrived at our sanctuary following a life in captivity.
A tiger standing in between two trees looking up at the camera

Sandro – three years of bliss

In April 2021, thanks to your kind donations, a rescued tiger arrived at his lifetime home at Animanatura Wild Sanctuary in Italy. Rescue & Care Officer Dr Andrea Donaldson brings us the latest news, three years on.