International wildlife charity Born Free is calling on the Government to implement a long-overdue review and reform of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 to significantly raise the standards in the more than 300 licensed zoos in Britain. Find out more…
Category: Zoos
Lockdown no more. My birthday wish at 30
Tomorrow, 11th June, is my 30th birthday. Rather than thinking about parties and presents, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight some recent, poignant rescue stories from Born Free and some of the amazing people who are raising money for the charity during this time.
Coronavirus outbreak and animals in zoos
As Britain enters a period where opportunities for people to leave the house are restricted, and as some zoos plead poverty and threaten to kill their animals, we need to consider carefully what this crisis means for animals in captivity – now and into the future. Dr Chris Draper, Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity at Born Free shares his views…
Animal emotions film raises awareness of zoo animals’ welfare issues
The key to holding zoos and safari parks accountable in their standards of care — today and for years to come — is to encourage the general public, especially youngsters, to see the benefit of ensuring all animals held in captivity receive good care and welfare.
Big Cats in captivity — Shamwari Diaries: Interval
One topic that I’ve never shied away from on this blog is that of wild animals in captivity. This week, I attempt to untangle the challenges and moral obligation of each of the places that have come to house lions; game reserves, zoos, sanctuaries, lion farms and ‘the wild’,
Jumbo the elephant: the story of London Zoo’s most famous resident
“For nearly 15 years after he arrived at the London zoo Jumbo gave very little trouble, made the turnstiles click profitably, and was a source
Making Nature exhibition
Making Nature is an exhibition I recently visited at the Wellcome Galleries in Euston. It provides an intriguing look at the evolving relationship between humans and nature.
Harambe the silverback gorilla and the question of captivity
Every so often, an individual animal comes along, whose plight opens up a big debate concerning how humans react to, interfere with, or ‘manage’ animal
Conservation: the cons, count downs and continuations
Unsurprisingly, BBC Wildlife magazine is a favourite of mine. I’ve long enjoyed the columns and comments from BBC animal activist favourites, such as Simon King,
Be the one traveler, long I stood
I believe in journeys. I believe in journeys because they bring change and challenge and movement. Journeys bring progress. They bring knowledge and hunger and