Born Free: Keeping Wildlife in the Wild

After starring in the 1966 classic wildlife film “Born Free,” Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna made a lifelong commitment to protecting wild animals. Bill began producing wildlife documentaries and films, including “An Elephant Called Slowly,” which featured them with an elephant calf called Pole Pole (“Po-lee Po-lee”). Pole Pole was only two when the Kenyan government gave her as a gift to the London Zoo. In 1982, Bill and Virginia visited her at the zoo. Imprisoned in an unnatural environment and without any companions of her own kind, Pole Pole had aged prematurely and paced her enclosure frustratedly. When Bill and Virginia called her name, she turned and came to them with her trunk outstretched, trying to touch their hands. Virginia describes the moment as “heartbreaking” and “life-changing.” The couple renewed their campaign to give the elephant a better life, but Pole Pole died the following year at just age 16. The tragic event led Bill and Virginia to launch Zoo Check in 1984 with their son Will.

Zoo Check has since evolved into the Born Free Foundation, a renowned international wildlife charity today. Dedicated to compassionate conservation and animal welfare, Born Free protects endangered species and stops individual animal suffering around the world. With the belief that wildlife belongs in the wild, the organization works to phase out zoos, as well as rescues animals in tiny cages and provides them with lifetime care. Working with local communities to help people and wildlife live in harmony, Born Free protects lions, elephants, wolves, gorillas, polar bears, dolphins, tigers, marine turtles, and several more species in their natural habitat. In addition, Born Free runs high-profile campaigns that change public attitudes, influence decision-makers, and get results.

Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide each year. Despite its global impact, the charity is not a big anonymous organization but a family of like-minded people working towards the same goals. Celebrity supporters include Bryan Adams, Joanna Lumley, Martin Shaw, and more.