Click here to Befriend Pollyanna Cheetah
On 30th July 2020, in remembrance of what would have been Pollyanna’s 78th birthday, The Born Free Foundation honoured her by naming a rescued cheetah cub inher memory.
Pollyanna was world renowned for her paintings of endangered species sketched fromnlife during expeditions which took her to some of the most remote and inhospitable parts of the world. She acted as a Patron of The Born Free Foundation for many years, and was always delighted when her artwork could help to raise funds for a cause so close to her heart.
Virginia McKenna OBE, actress and founder of Born Free said “Pollyanna first came into our lives 30 years ago. She travelled to India to do a painting of five tigers we had rescued from a travelling circus. We were, from the start, bound by our love and admiration for animals. And it was through her extraordinary talent as a wildlife artist, her loyalty to our charity and our deepening friendship, that our relationship never ended.
“In a very special connection to the past, we planted a tree in her name at Ensessa Kotteh. This is one of the many places where her name will live on. Through Pollyanna, the beautiful little cheetah, the flourishing tree, and in our hearts. She was, as we all know, one of life’s true givers. Illustrating a poetry book by the amazing poet Richard Bonfield and holding numerous events for Born Free at her gallery. And always warming us with her smile. But for me she was, above all, a loyal, generous and beautiful friend– qualities that Anna-Louise has inherited beyond all doubt.”
Pollyanna’s daughter Anna-Louise who continues as President of The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation told us “There could be no more wonderful and fitting tribute to Pollyanna. She was passionate about conservation and the animals which she painted, and always had a special love for cheetahs. Our Foundation will fund the care of little Pollyanna cheetah in her new home, and we are proud to be able to give this beautiful cat the opportunity of a safe and happy life in the beautiful surroundings of Born Free’s sanctuary after such a sad and traumatic beginning”.
Little Pollyanna cheetah was one of two cubs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and given a lifetime home at Ensessa Kotteh, the Born Free Foundation’s wildlife sanctuary in Ethiopia.
The male and female cubs were thought to be siblings and about three months old. They were seized by the Somali State authorities in Ethiopia, having most likely been taken from the wild to meet the demands of the pet trade in the Middle East.
The authorities in Ethiopia had been caring for the cubs at a police station. Born Free was notified of their situation and were able to give them a lifetime home, once all relevant permissions had been issued authorising their relocation. The journey to collect the cubs went ahead with assistance from Born Free’s government partner the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
The exotic pet trade poses a significant threat to this species, with tiny cubs taken from the wild to supply demand across the world, consigning them to a life of misery in captive environments. Poachers are supported by criminal networks who work without fear of conviction due to corruption and low level penalties. Cheetahs’ distinctive markings make them popular choices for captive collections in zoos and circuses, a practice which dates back to Roman times.
The cubs were active and alert, despite their ordeal, but clearly faced a long road ahead to recovery. Both cubs were undernourished and walking with a slight limp, and the female also had two old but healing injuries to her front paws.
At the time of their rescue, Maggie Balaskas, Born Free’s Animal Rescue & Care Manager, said: “We were incredibly lucky to be able to get the cubs to Ensessa Kotteh before further travel restrictions were put in place and Ethiopia went into lockdown. (Due to the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic). Both cubs have a good appetite and are eating and drinking, which is a positive sign. Hopefully they will start to show signs of improvement and, once they have had time to adjust to their new surroundings, will then be given access to the outside part of their enclosure. For the moment, they are being closely monitored and receiving veterinary care to help improve their condition.”
The cheetahs will now live in the beautiful surroundings of the Ensessa Kotteh sanctuary – and appropriately the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation raised £7500.00 in 2012 to help build enclosures for rescued wildlife at this beautiful facility which is located just 30km from the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Ensessa Kotteh means ‘animal footprint’ in Amharic, and it is the first sanctuary of its kind in the region. The sanctuary founders planted a tree for Pollyanna in their grounds as a thank you for her support.
Situated on an impressive 77 hectares partly-wooded site, and only houses wild animals in need – orphaned or confiscated from illegal trade or ownership. Each animal that enters Ensessa Kotteh is carefully assessed to see whether full rehabilitation and release back to the wild is feasible.
As Pollyanna cheetah will be unable to be returned to the wild, the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation has committed to funding her lifetime care at the sanctuary.
She is pictured (Top of page) with her brother Coro two weeks after they arrived at the sanctuary.