Beyond Zoos
In her role as a patron of the Born Free Foundation Anna-Louise was pleased to attend Beyond Zoos – an inspiring evening of discussion exploring the moral, ethical, conservation, educational and economic questions posed by the keeping of animals in captivity.
Hosted and chaired by Born Free’s Co-Founder and Executive President, Will Travers OBE, the panel of world-renowned speakers included Greta Iori, an Ethiopian-Italian environment and wildlife conservation adviser, Dr Winnie Kiiru, Executive Director of Kenya’s Mpala Research Centre Damian Aspinall the Chairman of the Aspinall Foundation and The Howletts Wild Animal Trust, and acclaimed naturalist and broadcaster, Chris Packham CBE. (Pictured left with Anna-Louise and Will Travers during the event)
Held in front of a packed audience at London’s prestigious Royal Geographical Society,the fascinating evening was a ground-breaking opportunity to discuss whether greater support for conservation, biodiversity, animal welfare, public education and effective research can be delivered in a future where animals are no longer held captive in zoos. The speakers took to the stage, to outline their own profoundly unique, personal and professional journey that has led them each, for differing reasons, to believe that now is the time for conservationists, wildlife lovers, politicians and the public to humanely push for change away from the zoo model.
Anna-Louise commented “It was a fascinating and thought provoking evening questioning whether zoos still have a role to play in the 21st century, and how best to conserve and protect wildlife in their natural habitats”.
The night of challenging, passionate and rousing discussion was dedicated to Born Free Co-Founders Dame Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers MBE, whose vision to look ‘beyond zoos’ more than 40 years ago inspires the charity to this day.