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Born Free Foundation @BornFreeFDN

We work tirelessly to ensure all wild animals are treated with compassion and respect. #KeepWildlifeInTheWild. President & Co-Founder @willtravers

Joined February 2009
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  • Followers 141,782
6,188 Photos and videos
Whipsnade Zoo has announced the birth of an endangered Asian elephant, calling it “real hope for the future”. But for Born Free, this is no cause for celebration. Another calf born into captivity reminds us of Pole Pole, who died at London Zoo in 1983. 👉 bit.ly/4efdqmP
A baby elephant is in an enclosure at Whipsnade zoo, surrounded by vertical metal and wire barriers.

ALT A baby elephant is in an enclosure at Whipsnade zoo, surrounded by vertical metal and wire barriers.

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With Father’s Day just around the corner on 21st June, we’re celebrating every dad, stepdad, grandad & father figure in our lives. If you’re searching for a gift that’s thoughtful, meaningful & makes a difference, we’ve got you covered. Shop online here: bit.ly/43qiNL1
A collage of Father's Day gift ideas featuring a paw print sweatshirt, orangutan-themed books and plush, green-handled mugs with lions, a black and white photo of two lions, and a person giving a child a piggyback ride. Text reads "Shop Father's Day Gifts, Shop Now."

ALT A collage of Father's Day gift ideas featuring a paw print sweatshirt, orangutan-themed books and plush, green-handled mugs with lions, a black and white photo of two lions, and a person giving a child a piggyback ride. Text reads "Shop Father's Day Gifts, Shop Now."
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🐘 Julie, Portugal’s last circus elephant, is completing her final checks before moving to the Born Free supported Pangea Elephant Sanctuary. After decades in the circus, she’ll soon have space, care & companionship. Learn more in our latest news update: bit.ly/4ef0xcC
Pangea's Ryan meeting Julie

ALT Pangea's Ryan meeting Julie

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🥳 Today, we celebrate the 95th birthday of our beloved Co‑Founder, Dame Virginia McKenna We’d love it if you could join us in celebrating her incredible legacy by signing her digital birthday card and sharing your own birthday message. 👉 bit.ly/4fk3DhH
Celebratory collage for Dame Virginia's birthday featuring photos of her and her husband Bill Travers with Pole Pole the elephant, Elsa the lioness, Will Travers and Virginia, Virginia at Shamwari Sanctuary, Bill and Virginia and Virginia on the stage of 'The King & I'.

ALT Celebratory collage for Dame Virginia's birthday featuring photos of her and her husband Bill Travers with Pole Pole the elephant, Elsa the lioness, Will Travers and Virginia, Virginia at Shamwari Sanctuary, Bill and Virginia and Virginia on the stage of 'The King & I'.

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Today is #WorldEnvironmentDay - a reminder of the urgent challenges our planet faces, from climate change to biodiversity loss & pollution. We all share a responsibility to protect our world. Every positive action counts. Change begins with each of us 👉 bit.ly/4uicTqq
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Following months of speculation and negotiation, it has emerged that the French authorities are pushing forward with proposals to move the orcas, Wikie and Keijo, from Marineland in France, to Loro Parque in Tenerife, Spain. Learn more in our latest news: bit.ly/4fSQgFg
Wikie and Keijo at Marineland 2024 (c) Leo’s Animal Planet

ALT Wikie and Keijo at Marineland 2024 (c) Leo’s Animal Planet

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📣 Nominations are now open for Born Free’s Youth & Junior Ambassador Programme! Are you, or is someone you know, aged 8-18 and passionate about wild animals? Ready to speak up and inspire others? Then this could be your moment! Find out more & apply: bit.ly/43COktc
Born Free Youth Ambassador Thea Caine pictured with Chris Packham.

ALT Born Free Youth Ambassador Thea Caine pictured with Chris Packham.
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🦡 The government’s decision not to renew the final culling licence in Cumbria has brought an end to one of the country’s most ineffective wildlife control policies. However, there's still uncertainty about what may happen next. Read the full story here: bit.ly/49kioNK
Two badgers emerging from a set

ALT Two badgers emerging from a set

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Bred for profit. Exploited for entertainment. Killed for trophies. Thousands of captive-bred lions in South Africa are trapped in a cycle of suffering - from cub petting, ‘walking with lions’, to canned hunting and the sale of body parts. Learn more: bit.ly/4tctwUe
Image depicting the cruel cycle of canned lion hunting in South Africa. It includes images of lions at different stages: reared by paying volunteers, tourists petting cubs, lions taken for walks, bones used for Asian tonics, and tamed lions shot as trophies. Text explains exploitation at each life stage, with visuals like money, lion tracks, and a hunting target symbol.

ALT Image depicting the cruel cycle of canned lion hunting in South Africa. It includes images of lions at different stages: reared by paying volunteers, tourists petting cubs, lions taken for walks, bones used for Asian tonics, and tamed lions shot as trophies. Text explains exploitation at each life stage, with visuals like money, lion tracks, and a hunting target symbol.

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Millennial marketing vs Gen Z marketing - which team are you on? 😄
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📢 Reminder: The Defra Trail Hunting Consultation closes 18 June 2026. This is an important moment to use your voice and help bring trail hunting to an end. You can find all the ways to take part, plus suggested responses, here: 👉 bit.ly/4dxrnxv . . @MeganMcCubbin
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Meet Liz 🦁 At 11 years, Liz is the oldest lion in Elsa’s Pride, carrying the hard‑earned wisdom of many seasons. Our Meru team are very fond of her and can recognise her by the distinctive scar by her nose. Learn more the team’s favourite lions here: bit.ly/4tLQ12l
Liz the lioness with her scar.

ALT Liz the lioness with her scar.

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Following last month's update that Amani the lion had been fitted with a GPS collar, we’re excited to share that ResQ, a lioness with a remarkable story, has now also been collared as part of our monitoring work in Meru National Park. Read the full story: bit.ly/42TqDfZ
ResQ before her collar was fitted

ALT ResQ before her collar was fitted
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Incredible news from Amboseli! 🌍🐘 Last year, the Amboseli Trust for Elephants recorded 220 elephant births - a huge boost for a species listed as Endangered. Read the full story in our blog: bit.ly/43nhvAl
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Happy World Bee Day! In Meru National Park, Kenya, bees aren’t just pollinating crops and producing honey - they’re also helping protect wild elephants through our beehive fence project. 🐘🐝 Learn more: bit.ly/4nCHgWV
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Born Free calls for urgent action after another tragic incident with a privately kept big cat. A tiger has been shot and killed in Germany, after attacking a keeper. The animal was reportedly owned by Germany’s self‑styled “Tiger Queen”. Read more 👉 bit.ly/4fuUrXG
A tiger lies inside a fenced enclosure with sandy ground. Photo by Joanne MacArthur

ALT A tiger lies inside a fenced enclosure with sandy ground. Photo by Joanne MacArthur

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7 year-old lion rescues Horus & Dadou continue to thrive side by side 🐾 Though unrelated, they’re as close as brothers. Both were rescued as sick, vulnerable cubs from the illegal pet trade in France before finding a safe haven at our Shamwari Big Cat Sanctuary in Oct 2019.💛
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🌍🦏 This World Endangered Species Day, it’s time to challenge the narrative. Do zoos really protect endangered species or just claim to? Protecting endangered species means safeguarding them in the wild, not in captivity. ▶️ Watch now to find out more.
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Born Free is deeply disappointed by South Africa’s new Biodiversity Management Plan for Black & White Rhinoceroses, which signals plans to pursue trade in rhino horn. Policies that risk fuelling demand for ivory are a dangerous step backwards. Read more: bit.ly/3REg51K
A rhinoceros stands on a grassy plain with sparse trees in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

ALT A rhinoceros stands on a grassy plain with sparse trees in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

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On Saturday 9 May, we joined @LeagueACS and 500 campaigners outside Parliament calling for an end trail to hunting. With powerful speeches from @ChrisGPackham, @MeganMcCubbin and @PeterEgan6, the message was clear: it’s time for change. Learn more 👉 bit.ly/439Cjes
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