News & Updates

The latest news, blogs and features from Born Free.

Press contact: [email protected]+44 (0)1403 240 170
Tsar, a male lion, is galloping as he enters his new enclosure at Shamwari Big Cat Sanctuary

From the frontline to ‘freedom’ – Tsar & Jamil arrive at Shamwari

Born into captivity, mistreated, malnourished, and rescued at the outbreak of war, we are delighted to announce that our ‘Ukraine Lions’ have finally found safety and sanctuary in their forever home in South Africa.
A young male lions sits facing the camera, while a second young male lion sits on a wooden platform behind him

Lions on the move: The long journey home

It’s the good news you’ve been waiting for – we’re about to take lions Tsar and Jamil to their ancestral homeland of South Africa! But, how do you safely move two rescued lions over 8,000 miles?
Two lions lying together on the grass. The lion in the foreground is side-on to the camera and looking up to the sky with his eyes closed.

Farewell Black

Born Free is deeply saddened to report the passing of dear Black, a beautiful lion rescued from a circus trailer in Bulgaria and given a new life at our sanctuary in South Africa.
Three people standing with their arms around each other, under a shady pergola

The exchange visit

How do you provide the best possible care for a rescued big cat?! Our sanctuary team from South Africa recently paid a visit to our centre in Ethiopia to swap ideas. Born Free Manager Catherine Gillson reports.
Two chimpanzees sitting on a wooden platform. One has its arm around the other

Thirty years of rescue in Cameroon

Last year, our long-term colleagues at Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon celebrated three decades of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release. Born Free’s Dr Andrea Donaldson looks back at what this world-class facility has achieved.

Adoption Diary: January 2024

The latest news on some of the adopted animals YOU help us look after.
A Bengal tiger standing serenely in dense shrubland

Thank you, Gopal! How one tiger helps save his entire species

It’s ten years since Gopal the tiger arrived at our sanctuary in India but, during this time, his adoption has helped support our wider work, including impactful tiger conservation.

Born Free’s year ahead: much to look forward to in 2024

In a special year for our charity, we've got wild highlights and superb news!
Three young herring gulls bathing in a plastic tub

Every gull matters to us

Born Free has part-funded an essential aviary, helping to rescue and rehabilitate gulls, and a variety of other birds, in Worthing, UK.
A close-up photo of two young male lions - one licking his lips

Update on Tsar & Jamil

Thanks to your kind donations, two rescued lion brothers are flourishing in their temporary home in Belgium, with plans well underway to move them to our sanctuary in South Africa, in the coming year.