Born Free
40 years of action for wild animals

Born Free is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to wild animal care and conservation. We were officially launched on 19th March 1984, by our Co-Founders Dame Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers MBE and their eldest son Will Travers OBE, together with our Founder Patron Dame Joanna Lumley. 

We pledged to be a voice for wild animals and, from those humble beginnings, Born Free has grown into a global force for wildlife, campaigning for a future where animals and people can coexist. But, a personal passion for wild animals and desire for positive change remains at the heart of our charity. Today, working with local communities, we take action to save lives, stop suffering, rescue individuals and protect species.

The year, 2024, marks 40 years of Born Free’s devotion to wild animals in need. So, why don’t you go wild with Born Free and discover a world full of lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, giraffes, pangolins and many more?! To find out more and get involved visit: www.bornfree.org.uk 

“Our love and concern for animals should go beyond those within our personal environment. We should see the world as a whole, see nature in its entirety and realise the importance of humans being part of the animal world and animals being part of theirs. It is only in this way that we can prevent the complete destruction of our environment and perhaps, ultimately, of ourselves.”
- Dame Virginia McKenna DBE