On this day, 39 years ago, a young elephant died at London Zoo.
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Hello John
Today is so poignant for Born Free. On this day, 39 years ago, a young elephant with a unique connection to our Co-Founders, Bill Travers MBE and Virginia McKenna OBE, died at London Zoo. Only 17 years old, Pole Pole’s* untimely death led to the start of our charity.
In 1969, Bill and Virginia had starred with Pole Pole in An Elephant Called Slowly, filmed in Kenya. She was just two when the Kenyan government took her from her wild family as a gift to London Zoo.
When filming ended, Bill and Virginia did everything they could to prevent the move, but ultimately, she was sent to the UK.
In 1982, Bill and Virginia went to see Pole Pole in London Zoo. Lonely and confused, she paced her concrete enclosure. Yet, when Bill and Virginia called her name, she came immediately, her trunk outstretched.
Even in her distress, she remembered them. It was a heart-breaking, life changing moment.
Virginia and Bill campaigned to give Pole Pole a better life but, despite their best efforts, she died at London Zoo in 1983.
“October 17th , for me, will always be a day of remembrance, a day of deep regret that we couldn’t save her. But it also became the day that began the rest of our lives.
My husband Bill, our eldest son Will and I decided we would start a little group called Zoo Check, to expose the conditions that so many wild creatures are forced to endure in zoos and circuses. To this day, now as a part of our charity, the Born Free Foundation, we continue this work, uncovering and spotlighting wild animal suffering wherever in the world we find it.
Pole Pole is always remembered. Her legacy lives on.” Virginia McKenna OBE
On this important and poignant day for Born Free and the elephants we work hard to protect in Pole Pole’s name, please adopt an African elephant ( [link removed] ) and help us stop elephants being poached and killed for their ivory, support wild elephant ranger patrols, and help us overcome human-elephant conflict, creating increased tolerance of elephants amongst local communities.
Together let’s give elephants the safe future they deserve! ( [link removed] )
From your friends at Born Free
PS Inspired by Pole Pole’s heartrending true story? Support our vital work by adopting The Elephant Family in Kenya ( [link removed] ). Just £3 per month, includes gift pack.
Photos © georgelogan.com, Daily Mail
*Pronounced Po-lee Po-lee, her name means ‘Slowly Slowly’ in Swahili.
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2nd Floor, Frazer House, 14 Carfax
Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1ER
The Born Free Foundation is a registered charity. (Charity Number: 1070906). Registered as a company limited by guarantee (Number 03603432) (England & Wales).
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