The spirit of Elsa—the legendary lioness who continues to inspire millions of animal lovers worldwide—is an iconic symbol of hope for this beleaguered species on World Lion Day (August 10).[teaserbreak]
Elsa, a little orphaned lion cub, was taken in by animal conservationists George and Joy Adamson and successfully returned to a life in the wild. Her incredible story was brought to life in the iconic and much-loved film, Born Free, starring actors Bill Travers MBE and Virginia McKenna OBE, based on Joy Adamson’s best-selling book of the same name.
Born Free inspired a generation and changed the world’s attitude to lions forever. It also led, in 1984, to the formation of the renowned international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation, by Bill, Virginia, and their son, Will Travers.
Reflecting on World Lion Day, Will Travers OBE, Born Free Foundation President, observed: “Living in Kenya as a child, while the film was being made, was an extraordinary experience. All those years ago, Africa seemed limitless and lions innumerable. Sadly, today, we know they are in grave peril.”
The recent tragic and reportedly illegal trophy hunting of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, and the continuing global outcry over his death, shows that the spirit of Elsa lives on. The plight of wild lions has been brought to the fore with concerned animal lovers, celebrities, NGOs, and conservationists worldwide, demanding action to save the species.
Across Africa, lion populations have reduced by more than 50% since 1980, and in many areas, the rate of decline has been far higher. Lions have disappeared altogether from at least 12 African countries, and possibly as many as 16 in recent years, and only inhabit a fragmented 8% of their historic range.
Adam M. Roberts, Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA Chief Executive Officer, added a call to action: “Born Free supporters the world over want action, and governments everywhere should listen. We are calling on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to release immediately a strong final rule giving the African lion protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act—something we’ve been clamoring for for more than four years now—and for the European Union to take urgent steps to end the import of lion trophies and for an international moratorium on lion trophy hunting.”
Born Free is working on projects across the world to protect the king of beasts.
- Last month, Born Free announced plans to rescue two former circus lions, Jora and Black, from a tiny beastwagon with no readily available water supply or shade. Born Free plans to relocate them from their current home in Bulgaria to its sanctuary in Shamwari, South Africa, which is already home to lions and leopards rescued from dire lives in captivity.
- Lions have always been associated with Ethiopia. Over the years, Ensessakotteh, Born Free’s Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Education Centre near Addis Ababa, has been able to rehome seven lions from various captive conditions and provide them with lifetime care in naturally vegetated enclosures.
- Born Free also supports Ewaso Lions, which is a Kenya NGO based in the Samburu region. The overall objective of this work is to reduce lion/human conflict and promote co-existence through a range of activities. For example, they have 15 active Samburu warriors who are involved in promoting conservation and reducing human/wildlife conflict within their communities. They build predator-proof bomas and also monitor lions.
- Born Free also funds the building of predator-proof bomas in Maasai communities in southern Kenya in the greater Amboseli ecosystem.
To find out more about Born Free USA’s work on lions, please visit: https://www.bornfreeusa.org/lions
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. The Foundation rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and gives them lifetime care. Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles, and many more species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. The Foundation’s high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers, and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. More at www.bornfree.org.uk.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com