Born Free Podcast

Born Free is an international wildlife charity that works to ensure the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats. Join us as we talk to inspiring wildlife conservationists, welfare activists, campaigners and biologists, to cover all things from the controversial nature of trophy hunting, to uncovering the personal stories that inspire a lifelong commitment to wildlife and habitat protection. Follow us on Twitter @BornFreeFDN and Instagram @BornFreeFoundation

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Episodes

The Sockstar Project

Wildlife rangers in developing nations have one of the most notoriously dangerous and unpredictable jobs around. While they might have the latest technologies and ammunition to defend wildlife, often their own basic welfare requirements are severely lacking. In this episode, we bring you the story of The Sockstar Project, a charity that strives for change by providing rangers in Africa with products like bars of soaps, toothpaste, women’s sanitation products and socks. Its two main areas of supp...

Mar 20, 2020•27 min

In conversation with Virginia McKenna OBE

Virginia McKenna OBE tells us about the brave decision she and her husband took back in 1964 to travel to Kenya, with three children in tow, to film Born Free. It became a family classic that followed true story of the rescued lioness, Elsa, who was released into the wild. Little did they know that wildlife would become their inspiration and true calling. Bearing witness to the animals they worked with being shipped to various captive establishments, they established Zoo Check, a body to prevent...

Mar 06, 2020•29 min

Chimpanzees for neighbours

In this episode, we speak to Dr Matt McLennan, Director and Co-Founder of the Bulindi Chimpanzee & Community Project, Uganda. Here, chimpanzees live alongside farmers in rural areas of the country and often come into conflict with one another. Matt tells us what it’s really like living alongside our closest relatives, how they are able to cross roads, and how they share similar behaviours and emotions as us! Alongside chimpanzee research, the project identifies ways for sustainable human-chi...

Feb 21, 2020•24 min

Living with Tigers

Can humans and tigers live alongside each other peacefully in one of the most populated countries of the world? That’s the daily challenge for rural communities in India, which is home to about 3,000 – or 70% – of all wild tigers left worldwide. We find out from Dr Nikki Tagg, Born Free’s Conservation Project Manager how Born Free’s Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership is working across central India to support Indian NGOs in their own work, within their own communities, to show that co-existence...

Feb 07, 2020•22 min

Have we forgotten about dolphins?

Did you know there are more than 3,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises in captivity worldwide today? Even though places like SeaWorld have committed to a breeding ban of their captive orcas the same has not extended to other whale and dolphin species. We talk to Sam Goddard, Born Free’s Campaigns Officer, about why bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales and sea lions are treated so differently from their relatives.

Jan 24, 2020•31 min

Fighting wildlife crime with Greta Iori

Fighting wildlife crime Wildlife crime consultant Greta Iori is fighting to protect Ethiopia’s wildlife, one elephant at a time. Specialising in ivory-related crime and the protection of elephants, she is responsible for championing an alliance protecting the most northerly population of elephants in the horn of Africa. With a deep love for wildlife and for her home country of Ethiopia, Greta’s role has given her a unique perspective on the world. We met up with Greta to find out more about her ...

Jan 10, 2020•21 min

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