(c) George Logan
Born Free Remains A Member Of The IUCN
7 years ago 
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Internal appeal calling for Born Free to be ejected is unsuccessful
In 2016, The Born Free Foundation was accepted as a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), joining the world's pre-eminent conservation body in its ongoing efforts to protect global biodiversity.
However, in an attempt to marginalise the conservation work undertaken by Born Free over nearly three decades, a number of IUCN members from the zoo and trophy hunting industries appealed Born Free’s membership of the IUCN, a members vote requiring a two thirds majority.
That appeal was sent to the entire IUCN membership for a vote and last week the results were announced, confirming that the two thirds majority had not been attained and that Born Free will remain a part of IUCN.
Will Travers, President of The Born Free Foundation, said: "I want to thank the many members of IUCN who voted in favour of Born Free remaining a part of this vitally important organisation. Born Free's longstanding and significant conservation efforts - which have seen many millions of pounds invested in the protection of wolves, elephants, lions, tigers, great apes, marine turtles, pangolins, cheetah and many more species - have made, and continue to make, an effective contribution to safeguarding the future of wild species and the wild places they rely upon."
Howard Jones, CEO of The Born Free Foundation, added: "I have always believed that IUCN is a 'big tent' with room for a wide range of opinions and perspectives. The rejection of moves to have Born Free ejected from the IUCN confirms my belief. Now, together with all my colleagues, I look forward to collaborating with like-minded organisations and individuals to achieve our shared mission of conserving life on earth."
Compassionate Conservation, where caring about individuals brings improved conservation outcomes, is at the heart of The Born Free Foundation. Elephants across Africa, tigers in India, lions in Kenya, Eastern Lowland gorillas in the DRC, marine turtles in Tanzania, wolves in Ethiopia, and more, have all benefited from Born Free's steadfast investment in both measures to reduce the threats they face, and support for the rangers - the brave men and women on the ground - who risk their lives to ensure wildlife survives in our increasingly human-dominated world.
Travers added: "Nothing will deflect us in our determination to ensure, as far as it's humanly possible, that species do not disappear on our watch, and that all living creatures are treated with respect and care. That is our goal."
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- New report highlights South African governments role in the bloody, commercial lion body part trade
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- Trouble at the Zoo Born Free calls for overhaul of UK zoo licensing and inspections
