BORN FREE FOUNDATION
KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD
Showing posts with label Wild. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wild. Show all posts
2011-05-09
The Black Rhino
1989
You are looking at 50 million years of survival. Now, they are almost gone, because of the very thing nature gave them to protect themselves. Once the horn is removed, the Rhinos are not able to survive. Hunters use anything they can to remove the horn, while the Rhino is still alive. They even use chainsaws, so they take the horn more quickly, and then sell on the back market. And what for? The keratin, the daggers symbolizing masculinity. All kinds of ridiculous things like that.They managed to put and entire species under extinction on nature and wild for money.
2011
I wish i could say things are different, but no. They are not.
Today, if you wish to see a Black Rhino, you can find them at reserves for animal rehabilitation or at ZOO's.
So many things have been done and yet, we were not able to save them. They are at the edge.
I don't think i really need to say anything else.
Just... We should be able to see them here, like this:
2011-03-21
Born Free: BELLA RESCUE - BELLA'S CASE HISTORY
BORN FREE
KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD
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| Bella’s diseased eye needed removing before she could be transported |
Bella is a one-eyed lioness rescued from Buhusi Zoo, a run-down zoo in Romania, and now living at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in Malawi. Her rescue in 2009 was a joint operation between the Born Free Foundation and a small NGO called Lions Roar.
Lion’s Roar were told that Bella had been born in Buhusi zoo in 2002 and sold as a cub to gypsies who used her to attract tourists into having their photograph taken with the little lion. When she became too dangerous for handling, she was returned to the zoo to be used for breeding. As is often the case with cubs taken away from their mother for hand-rearing, it seems Bella was not given a proper diet while her skeleton was forming, and she has an arched, ‘roached’ spine, and unnaturally curved back legs.
We are not sure what happened in Bella’s early years, but she was about four years old when Lion’s Roar discovered her, living in appallingly filthy, barren conditions in the zoo, with inexperienced, insensitive, uncaring keepers giving Bella and the other animals the minimum amount of care. At that time Bella had a mate, a four year old lion named Fugi. Lion’s Roar were told that Bella had given birth to a single cub the previous year which had died after two days. Bella then gave birth to another cub. Lion’s Roar warned the zoo staff not to handle the cub, as Bella and Fugi were being diligent, gentle parents, but the keepers did take the cub out of the cage for short periods – perhaps hoping to sell it for use by gypsy photographers. Sadly, the cub died in August 2006 and Fugi died shortly afterwards, seemingly from an un-treated kidney infection. Bella was left alone.
Not only was she alone, but she was almost blind: an un-treated glaucoma in her left eye had permanently damaged her vision, and it appeared she might have a cataract in her right eye.
Filthy and run down, the zoo was closed to the public in 2007.
REHOMING BELLA?
In 2007, after the zoo’s closure, Born Free rehomed three lions from the zoo, Jools and her sons James and Jerry, to our sanctuary at Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa.
We wanted to rehome Bella to Africa too, but our veterinary consultant had strongly advised against transporting Bella with her glaucoma: the bulbous eye could be knocked and rupture on the long journey and the haemorrhage could be fatal if this happened in flight, while we were unable to get to her. Unfortunately we could find no veterinary practice in Romania that had the facilities for such surgery, and nowhere Bella could receive the necessary follow-up care.
Over 12 months went by then, and Lion’s Roar tried to improve Bella’s enclosure with sleeping platforms and environmental enrichment, paying for it to be kept clean and for a better diet. Then we heard of a veterinary practice in Brasov, two hours from Buhusi, that had an anaesthetic machine. In addition, nearby Brasov Zoo offered to care for Bella while she recovered. Quite by co-incidence, an ophthalmic surgeon from the Animal Health Trust in Suffolk had offered his services just weeks before, not knowing of Bella’s case. Suddenly it seemed Bella’s story had the chance of a happy ending after all.
Born Free: A TRAGEDY FROM START TO FINISH
BORN FREE
KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD
The Born Free Foundation is saddened to hear of the death of Knut, the young male polar bear at Berlin Zoo.
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| Knut in December 2008 |
His short life was a series of tragedies from start to miserable finish.
Knut was born in December 2006 at Berlin Zoo and, after apparently being abandoned by his mother, was taken for hand-rearing by zoo staff. Knut found himself at the centre of a publicity storm after animal groups in Germany apparently used Knut’s birth to highlight the fact that animals born at other zoos in Germany had been euthanased with impunity, and with heavy irony, called for Knut too to be euthanased. These misjudged comments led to an outcry that was picked up and amplified around the world in the media, so that the undeniably photogenic cub became an overnight sensation.
Born Free called for the establishment of a Polar Bear Rescue Centre in Northern Europe where bears like Knut (that could not be returned to the wild) could spend their lives in as natural an environment as possible. Our recommendation was rejected.
Daily public shows were staged at the zoo, with Knut playing and interacting with his keeper, Thomas Dörflein. But of course, the cute factor apparently didn’t last long: reports of behavioural problems began to emerge. The snow-white fluff-ball of a cub became a grubby and possibly deranged young adult. In short: life in captivity began to take its toll. The shows with Dörflein were cancelled in July 2007 due to fears for the keeper’s safety, leading to reports that Knut was pining for human contact. German press reported that he “howls plaintively whenever he picks up Dörflein's scent, and has become so used to the attention of people that he also cries when no one is standing in front of his enclosure watching him”. Another keeper made the poignant comment: “he doesn't know that he's a polar bear”.
Knut was an animal celebrity, worth huge sums to Berlin Zoo not for his value to conservation, but simply because of his ability to entice visitors through the gates. A legal battle over who owned Knut began between Berlin Zoo and another German zoo, which resulted in Berlin Zoo paying €430,000 to keep Knut.
Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation said: “Perversely, in many ways Knut was valued far more in captivity than he would ever have been in the wild. In my opinion, this exemplifies much of what is wrong with zoos. While they may trade on their – questionable – commitment to conservation, the biggest fanfare from zoos is reserved for the birth of a baby: any baby, as long as it will bring in the crowds. Zoos are, and will always be, visitor attractions first, second and third, with lofty aspirations such as education and conservation coming way down the list.”
2011-03-01
Born Free: KING OF THE JUNGLE IN TROUBLE
.::BORN FREE::.
Born Free Foundation
Here, you can see a video of a Rescued Lion released by Born Free at their sanctuary in Shamwari. His name is Sinbad.
KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD
Lions in crisis: Born Free calls for UK Government to follow United States' initiative
African lions are under serious threat. Unless current trends are reversed, it’s possible that within the next few years the continental population of wild lions, already down to less than 40,000 animals from nearly 76,000 in 1980, will collapse. Ten years ago, lions inhabited 30 African countries. That number is now down to 27 and it is likely that they will disappear from more countries in the years ahead unless action is taken now.
Today, the Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA, together with representatives of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The Humane Society of The United States/Humane Society International and Defenders of Wildlife, have submitted a Petition to the United States Secretary to the Interior calling on him to designate the African lion as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The US is the single biggest importer of wild lion body parts and trophies and may be responsible for 50% or more of the lions that are killed for trophies each year. Listing under the ESA would prohibit the general import of lion trophies into the US unless it could be shown that the importation enhanced the species’ survival or was for scientific purposes. This single measure could dramatically cut the number of lions shot for ‘sport’ by US citizens.
Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundations explains: “The pressure on lions comes from all sides. Loss of habitat due to the impact of a sub-Saharan human population that is predicted to grow from 518 million in 1990 to 1.75 billion in 2050; loss of the wild animals that lions naturally prey on, due to the ravages of the commercial bushmeat trade; the impact of deadly diseases often transmitted from livestock or companion animals; retaliatory killings – the spearing or poisoning of lions after they have attacked livestock; and high levels of unsustainable trophy-hunting and body part trade.”
Although the US is the largest importer of trophies, Europe is not far behind. Between 1998 and 2008 lion trophies were imported into Spain (958), France (565) and Germany (525) amongst others. During the same period, the UK imported 87 lion trophies. The impact of an ESA listing and strong lion-protection measures in the USA could be undermined if trophies continue to be imported into the European Union.
Will Travers concluded: “Today, the Born Free Foundation has written to the UK Government’s Minister for Biodiversity, Richard Benyon, asking him, on behalf of the British Government, to intercede with our European Community colleagues to immediately review the comprehensive body of evidence that has been submitted to the US Department of the Interior as part of the ESA Petition and take urgent action to end the import of lion trophies sourced from wild animals into Europe.”
Links:
Born Free USA (The Endangered Species Act Protection for Lions page)
Born Free Foundation
Here, you can see a video of a Rescued Lion released by Born Free at their sanctuary in Shamwari. His name is Sinbad.
2008-11-08
Born Free: Jean Byrd Centre
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| Kuma - yawning! |
| .::BORN FREE::. | |||||||
| KEEP WILDLIFE IN THE WILD |
1st November 2008
Temperature was 26ºC
Bongani - 8:15am
Brutus was sleeping near the fence close to the water trough, he went to drink water from the trough and went back to sleep a few centimetres from where he was earlier.
The cubs were sitting in front of the deck in the shade provided by two shrubby bushes.
I only heard Kuma from the centre of his enclosure but could not see him
Shada was at the centre of her camp sleeping Jools was sleeping under an acacia tree to the right of the viewing deck and only Jerry’s mane was visible further behind her.
Marina and Sarnia - I fed them at 12:30pm.Sarnia took the first piece but Marina went to her and they wrestled for a short while before Sarnia came back to me to get her own piece. They sat there chewing the bones and eating the meat off the bones.
The cubs were sitting in front of the deck in the shade provided by two shrubby bushes.
I only heard Kuma from the centre of his enclosure but could not see him
Shada was at the centre of her camp sleeping Jools was sleeping under an acacia tree to the right of the viewing deck and only Jerry’s mane was visible further behind her.
Marina and Sarnia - I fed them at 12:30pm.Sarnia took the first piece but Marina went to her and they wrestled for a short while before Sarnia came back to me to get her own piece. They sat there chewing the bones and eating the meat off the bones.
I later on found Kuma sleeping next to the fence that runs alongside Shada’s camp, with Shada was on the other side watching him. It was long since I have seen Kuma sitting with Shada so close. Unfortunately when I got closer Shada walked away and Kuma sat up but again went back to sleep shortly after my arrival.
2nd November 2008
The temperature was about 23ºC
Bongani - 8:15am
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| The regal Shada |
Kuma – he was sleeping in his favourite spot at the centre of the enclosure.
The cubs were playing next to the fence when we got to them and they later on went to sit on the bottom left corner of their camp. While we were with Brutus’ camp they came over to drink some water.
Brutus – we saw him sleeping on the ditch in his main camp, facing upwards to the top of his camp. He got up once as if he was listening to something and then went back to sleep again.
Jools – she was sleeping next to the shelter at the top of the main camp and Jerry - was not visible from the deck but later I found him sleeping under a bush.
Shada – she was also not visible from her deck then when we were on Kuma’s deck we saw her briefly walking from the centre of the camp to the thicket on the top right side of her camp and then she disappeared.
3rd November 2008
It was a bit windy in the morning, the temperature for the day was 21ºC
Bongani - Feeding
Brutus took a few steps with the meat in his mouth then decided to lick it for a few second before starting feeding on it.
We fed the cubs at the same time as the other adult lions; we gave them the heads of the cattle we were feeding with. The heads were a bit heavy but the cubs picked them up and ran away with them. We didn’t have much time to watch them feeding unfortunately, but we left them licking at these pieces of carcass.
Kuma - We gave him two pieces: some meat and some pieces of stomach. He grabbed the meat, dragged it, and began to lick it. He was not really interested in the pieces of stomach; he smelt them and went back to the meat.
Shada – we gave her two portions of meat too. She took one and ran away with it but she didn’t return for the other one while we were with her.
Jools and Jerry - While we were busy feeding Jerry, Jools was pacing furiously next to the fence, watching us feeding her son. Jerry grabbed his meat and went to put it in the water trough and began drinking water from the trough. He again put the meat back in the trough and later on dragged it to the bush next to the water trough. Jools dragged her meat to a bush not too far from the fence and started feeding on it.
We fed the cubs at the same time as the other adult lions; we gave them the heads of the cattle we were feeding with. The heads were a bit heavy but the cubs picked them up and ran away with them. We didn’t have much time to watch them feeding unfortunately, but we left them licking at these pieces of carcass.
Kuma - We gave him two pieces: some meat and some pieces of stomach. He grabbed the meat, dragged it, and began to lick it. He was not really interested in the pieces of stomach; he smelt them and went back to the meat.
Shada – we gave her two portions of meat too. She took one and ran away with it but she didn’t return for the other one while we were with her.
Jools and Jerry - While we were busy feeding Jerry, Jools was pacing furiously next to the fence, watching us feeding her son. Jerry grabbed his meat and went to put it in the water trough and began drinking water from the trough. He again put the meat back in the trough and later on dragged it to the bush next to the water trough. Jools dragged her meat to a bush not too far from the fence and started feeding on it.
4th November 2008
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| Sarnia (l) and Marina - the cubs |
There was a cold breeze early in the morning but at about 8:30 the breeze stopped and the temperature went up to about 25ºC for the day.
Bongani
The cubs were sitting in the shade by the deck when I was patrolling in the morning. I was later walking with Abagail and we watched the cubs drinking water from the trough.
It was nothing unusual until we saw Sarnia sticking her head under the water, she came back to take a breath and went back down again. On the second occasion I noted that the level of the water went almost up to her forehead or close to her ears. She came back with a piece of insulated wire in her mouth! She came towards us with it then dropped it about a metre or two from the fence. They spent the rest of the day inside the shelter at the centre of their enclosure.
7th November
Bongani
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| Jerry and Jools on a windy day |
Cubs – It has been great to see them utilising the back of their enclosure with its more dense bushes and undergrowth as well as the shelter in the hospital camp, especial when it is very hot. They are growing everyday and always happy and playful.
11th November
Temp 15ºC
Bongani 1400hrs - I took 8 students to see the cats.
Kuma - He was sitting on the big dead tree. As we approached Shada’s camp he came down and watched us. Its been good to see him as he can be scarce some days.
Cubs - They were fine just playing and followed us all the way to Brutus and Kuma camp, with the students taking lots of picture, as they are cute lionesses.
Shada - She was sitting as if she was expecting us! She sat there, relaxed, just looking at us. After some time she moved and the students could see how big is she. She then went and lay behind a bush and looked at us from there.
Jools and Jerry - They were looking intently into Shada’s camp and she was looking back at them.
Brutus - He didn’t pay much attention to us, he was dozing. He lifted his head to look at us then went back to sleep again. His favourite spot recently seems to be lying in a furrow. It used to be easy to check on him because you could see him from afar, now you have to get right close up to him.
Cubs - They were fine just playing and followed us all the way to Brutus and Kuma camp, with the students taking lots of picture, as they are cute lionesses.
Shada - She was sitting as if she was expecting us! She sat there, relaxed, just looking at us. After some time she moved and the students could see how big is she. She then went and lay behind a bush and looked at us from there.
Jools and Jerry - They were looking intently into Shada’s camp and she was looking back at them.
Brutus - He didn’t pay much attention to us, he was dozing. He lifted his head to look at us then went back to sleep again. His favourite spot recently seems to be lying in a furrow. It used to be easy to check on him because you could see him from afar, now you have to get right close up to him.
12th November
Weather - 40% rain
Bongani - As it was raining most the cats were all hiding under bushes and shelters.
Brutus was behind the hospital camp as it is thick with bushes in there. It was a surprise to see him there, away from his favourite spot in the open. He was there almost the rest of his day.
Cubs - They were sleeping behind the hospital camp as there is a big bush there where they could hide from rain – rather than using the little cave we had made for them which would be much more rainproof! I fed them at about 9h00 in the morning and they didn’t even come to the fence they waited for me at hospital camp. We separate them most times when we feed, one in the hospital camp and the other in the main camp. Sarnia blocked Marina and she (Marina) jumped over her sister into the hospital camp and it was very funny.
Cubs - They were sleeping behind the hospital camp as there is a big bush there where they could hide from rain – rather than using the little cave we had made for them which would be much more rainproof! I fed them at about 9h00 in the morning and they didn’t even come to the fence they waited for me at hospital camp. We separate them most times when we feed, one in the hospital camp and the other in the main camp. Sarnia blocked Marina and she (Marina) jumped over her sister into the hospital camp and it was very funny.
13th November
Weather: Rain 50-60%
Bongani
Kuma - When the guests arrived we started at Kuma’s camp and it was exciting as he was visible. As we approached his camp he was patrolling around marking his territory, spraying urine all over. By the time we were on the viewing deck he was there waiting for us. The guests were so impressed as they did not see a wild leopard on their game drive, and here was Kuma very close to them. We then moved to Shada’s and left him playing with bones and rolling on the ground.
Shada - She was hiding on the tour but we could only see her head because she was sleeping and it was drizzling. When I checked her later she was in front of the deck and ignoring Jools and Jerry although they were watching her every movement. She just sat next to the bushes away from their view and relaxed, gazing down at the public road. I have also noticed that if she in one position she will spend most time in that particular spot.
Jerry and Jools - We did not see them they were close to the hospital camp lying down. After some time they moved from there and they went to sleep close to Shada s camp. They saw Shada and started looking at her and she ran away to hide.
Cubs - It is always fun to see them although we didn’t see them as close as usual, they were far from us at the back of their camp. The guests couldn’t believe they are 1 year old because as we approach Brutus camp they came down close to us by the water trough. They were hiding in the shelter by the time the rain started and spent most of the time in there. Normally they spend most of the day playing around, chasing each other all over the place.
Brutus - He spent some time at the back of the hospital camp, getting shelter from the rain in the bushes.When the rain stops, he went back to the front to his usual spot to rest or sleep there.
Shada - She was hiding on the tour but we could only see her head because she was sleeping and it was drizzling. When I checked her later she was in front of the deck and ignoring Jools and Jerry although they were watching her every movement. She just sat next to the bushes away from their view and relaxed, gazing down at the public road. I have also noticed that if she in one position she will spend most time in that particular spot.
Jerry and Jools - We did not see them they were close to the hospital camp lying down. After some time they moved from there and they went to sleep close to Shada s camp. They saw Shada and started looking at her and she ran away to hide.
Cubs - It is always fun to see them although we didn’t see them as close as usual, they were far from us at the back of their camp. The guests couldn’t believe they are 1 year old because as we approach Brutus camp they came down close to us by the water trough. They were hiding in the shelter by the time the rain started and spent most of the time in there. Normally they spend most of the day playing around, chasing each other all over the place.
Brutus - He spent some time at the back of the hospital camp, getting shelter from the rain in the bushes.When the rain stops, he went back to the front to his usual spot to rest or sleep there.
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| Brutus |
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