Girma & Rea, just after their rescue (top)and at Ensessakotteh (bottom).
© Born Free Foundation
About a year ago, some citizen activists contacted me because they had heard the story of several animals, including Girma and Rea: two orphaned lion cubs who had been confiscated by law enforcement in the Somali region of Ethiopia. These babies likely witnessed their mother being shot before being snatched up to be smuggled out of the country and sold to be pets. They were sitting huddled together, scared and bewildered, in a cold, dark cell in a police station, waiting for someone to help. At that time, Born Free was working through the permitting and logistics process to transport Girma, Rea, and the others over nearly 500 miles of treacherous terrain to Ensessakotteh, Born Free’s sanctuary outside Addis Ababa, where they live today.[teaserbreak]
The two volunteers, Monica Bycroft and Tara Funderburg, jumped into action to raise money to help these animals and the many more whom Born Free USA rescues and cares for. Their efforts culminated in a fantastic fundraising event in Nashville, Tennessee this past weekend—the first one they had ever organized and the likes of which would rival that of any professional non-profit event planner. Guests enjoyed a vegetarian dinner, an impressive selection of silent auction items, and presentations by Born Free USA and special guests from Project Cecil and The Elephant Sanctuary, and the evening was capped off by a stand-up performance by comedian Myq Kaplan.
In addition to the many new supporters Born Free USA gained in the Nashville area, we raised a tidy sum Saturday night that will be put directly to work saving lives.
I am awed by the dedication and fortitude of Monica and Tara. They saw animals in a heart-breaking situation and put their hearts and minds—and hundreds of hours—to work. They are inspiring and proof that anyone can make a difference for animals in need.
Keep wildlife in the wild,
