In 2014, Born Free helped rescue six-year-old Elsa the lioness from an Italian circus to a temporary “halfway house” in Tuscany. This rescue is especially near and dear to our hearts because it was a lioness named Elsa whose story was told in the iconic film, Born Free – and who remains the proud symbol of our organization. Elsa had languished at San Martin’s Circus in Sardinia, Italy for years. She was confined to a rusty trailer called a “beast-wagon.” She spent her time alone, with just a few yards of featureless concrete, a couple of handfuls of straw, and barely any shade. Because the circus’ conditions failed to meet legal requirements and safety regulations, Elsa was impounded by the Italian government (along with all of the other animals). We are now working to raise funds for her enclosure and long-term care at the Italian sanctuary – where she has walked on grass for perhaps the first time – until she can be relocated to Africa, where she belongs.