Spotlight News

A milestone event that occurs just once every three years, the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is well under way in Bangkok, Thailand — and Born Free USA is there in force, doing all we can to advance the companion causes of compassionate conservation and keeping wildlife in the wild. Our chief executive officer, Will Travers, already has spoken out many times, including at a wildlife law enforcement awards ceremony March 6. Watch his six-minute presentation by clicking on the accompanying image; find that speech and other up-to-the minute tweets, photos, blogs and videos on our "Latest from CITES" webpage; and check out our CITES photo gallery.

Every three years, representatives from more than 170 countries gather to discuss issues related to the planet's wonderfully diverse animal and plant species. The 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora) is under way through March 14 in Bangkok, Thailand. Born Free USA is there and focusing on a number of important issues. Among them are the threats that poaching and the illegal wildlife parts trade pose to elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers and sharks. Find out more on our CITES Key Issues webpage, and stay tuned for tweets, blogs and other updates from Born Free USA's leaders on the scene, Chief Executive Officer Will Travers and Executive Vice President Adam Roberts.

Click on image to see a portion
of Virginia's handwritten letter.

The following was written by Virginia McKenna, star of the iconic movie “Born Free” and a co-founder of Born Free.

Being given a second chance in life is rare. But this is the happy fate for more than 600 primates at Born Free USA’s sanctuary. Most of the animals have been rescued from lives of misery and pain and solitude, but now they can make friends, walk on the earth, climb trees and, above all, be cared for with love and compassion.

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Time is running out to enter our second annual Free Bird Photo Contest! E-mail a picture you have taken of a bird in the wild by the end of the day on Thursday, Jan. 31 and you will be eligible for the top prize: a bag of goodies from our online store worth more than $100. You'll also receive prominent mention on our website. Find contest rules here. Click here or on the image at right — a photograph of a great gray owl entered last year by Sherrie Duris of Oregon, OH — to see results from our inaugural contest.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared that our joint petition to list the African lion as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act may be warranted. From now until 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, Jan. 28, the FWS is seeking scientific, commercial and other data in support of classifying the lion as endangered. Please consider adding your voice to this most worthy cause! Also, if you have not done so already, check out Born Free USA's lions page and read about our recent year-long, undercover investigation into the lion meat trade.

Today (Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013) is National Bird Day! Please join us in our annual celebration by taking a few moments to check out this year's happenings, including National Bird Day e-cards, the second annual Free Bird Photo Contest, special community events, and new tips on bird care. The best way to honor National Bird Day is to see them in action! Take a walk if it's nice outside or check out the wintry scene through a window and you'll be sure to witness birds of various sizes and colors. Perhaps you will agree with us that they are worthy of celebrating every day of the year.

At Born Free USA, we enter the new year as determined as ever to promote and make happen our core mission: to end the suffering of wild animals in captivity, rescue individual animals in need, protect wildlife — including highly endangered species — in their natural habitats, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. Thank you for your support and for all you do to help animals. Have a happy, compassion-filled new year!

Because of compassionate people such as you, one hundred eight monkeys we rescued this summer have settled into the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary. Lions are one step closer to gaining protection in the United States under the Endangered Species Act. Five cheetah cubs we rescued in Ethiopia suddenly have a bright future. We have accomplished all that, and so much more, in 2012. As we look ahead to 2013, much vital work remains to be done. Will you please consider giving $13 (tax-deductible) today to make next year a "Lucky 13" for animals? Thank you for your support, and have a very happy new year.