International singer, presenter and animal lover, Peter Andre has made an epic trip to the heartlands of Kenya to raise awareness of the plight of Africa’s endangered lions with wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation.
Peter Andre in Kenya to help save wild lions
Africa’s lions are in crisis, with an estimated 50% population decrease over the last two decades and fewer than 32,000 animals remaining in the wild today. Peter, who is a Born Free patron, was keen to see the charity’s vital work first-hand, and learn more about its efforts to save Africa’s most famous big cat.
After touching-down in Nairobi, courtesy of Kenya Airways, who support Born Free with a range of fundraising and awareness activities, including an in-flight collection, Peter travelled 250km south in a Land Rover Defender, to Amboseli National Park, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here, the Born Free team explained how big cats can be saved with the help of a simple and cost-effective structure known as a boma.
Peter said: “It was staggering to learn that the threat to Africa’s wild lions doesn’t just come from hunting, but local farmers too, as they lose livestock to wild animals, and sometimes kill the lions in retaliation. By building these bomas, we can help protect their livelihoods, as well as help ensure the survival of these beautiful animals.”
Known for presenting ITV1’s 60 Minute Makeover, and having recently appeared on the popular animal rescue series, Give a Pet a Home, he was more than happy to get his hands dirty during the incredible trip!
The team worked alongside local Maasai villagers to construct the boma. Large wooden posts were dug-in around a circle of thorn bushes which had formed the existing livestock enclosure, before the whole structure was wrapped with steel wire mesh. Finally, doors made from recycled oil drums were hung to allow the livestock in, but keep the lions out. It will now provide protection for up to 800 cows and 400 sheep or goats, and save the lives of numerous big cats in the area which will now move away from the village to find their food.
Peter was excited to be able to help with this project, saying: “Building the boma was really hard work but also an absolute privilege to be part of. I’m a huge animal lover, and love watching Born Free the film with my family, so it was a very special trip for me. Kenya is such an incredibly beautiful country, and we received an incredibly warm welcome at the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge and wherever we went - we were even treated to a traditional Maasai celebration dance once we had finished building, and helped to plant trees at the beautiful hotel.
“As a Born Free patron, it was great for me to see first-hand how this will benefit these amazing animals as well as the human population. The work that wildlife organisations such as the Born Free Foundation are doing alongside local people is absolutely vital, both now and for future generations – without them, some of Africa’s most iconic species could quickly become a thing of the past.”
Another highlight of the three day stay was visiting orphaned elephants at the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, run by US conservationist Cynthia Moss.
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. It rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.
Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. Its high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide.
For more information about Born Free please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk