A Safari for Survival as Born Free brings Pride of life size Lions to Edinburgh

International wildlife charity, Born Free, is bringing a dramatic and powerful exhibition to Edinburgh to raise awareness about the catastrophic plight facing the world’s wild lion population.

Article Source: Born Free
Last Updated: 6 October 2022 9:58

International wildlife charity, Born Free, celebrates its ‘Year of the Lion’ at the Edinburgh opening of a stunning exhibition of 25 bronze lions, including the iconic Elsa from the much-loved film Born Free (1966).

“There are 7.8 billion people on Earth, and we now have to decide: are we prepared to share our planet with the shockingly few wild lions that remain or not?" Virginia McKenna OBE

• Free, family-friendly, outdoor exhibition highlights plight facing the world’s lions

• Locals and tourists can visit the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition at The Meadows for the next 3 months

• Studies predict lions could be extinct across much of their wild range in less than 30 years as numbers plummet by 90% since the 1960s

Today, 6th Oct 2022: International wildlife charity, Born Free, is bringing a dramatic and powerful exhibition to Edinburgh, to raise awareness about the catastrophic plight facing the world’s wild lion population, and fight for the long-term survival of these majestic beasts.

Entitled ‘Born Free Forever’ and created by internationally-recognised Australian artists, Gillie and Marc, the exhibit features 25 life-size bronze sculptures of lions. Each representing a real-life lion, with its own unique story, the exhibition highlights the grave threats facing these big cats, both in captivity and in the wild. Its centrepiece is the iconic Elsa the lioness on top of a 4x4, as depicted in the much-loved 1966 film Born Free, which starred charity co-founders Virginia McKenna OBE and her late husband Bill Travers MBE.

As the spectacular installation opens to the public at The Meadows, more than 50 local youngsters from the nearby George Heriot’s School will be taking part in a lion-based art workshop, led by Scottish artist and designer, Jane Lee McCracken.

For Edinburgh-born Jane, who is the Founder and CEO of Drawing for the Planet, the exhibition brings a vital message about the future of the species to the people of Scotland. When the film Born Free was made in 1960s, there were around 200,000 lions in the wild across Africa. There are now only 20,000 remaining, a devastating decline which, if not halted, could see them becoming extinct across much of their wild range within 30 years.

The free exhibit, the largest of its kind in the UK, will be in Edinburgh for the next three months. During this time, the majority of the lions will take ‘pride’ of place at The Meadows. However, in a special partnership with Essential Edinburgh, three of the beautiful lion statues will be situated in St. Andrew Square Garden, a serene space among the hustle and bustle of the capital, well-known as a hub for art exhibitions. This will give visitors in the very heart of the city the opportunity to experience the sculptures, as well as follow a trail of Born Free decals in windows of local businesses.

The opening of Born Free Forever in Scotland is hugely significant for Born Free. It is part of a year of action for lions in memory of Born Free’s fearless founder, Bill Travers MBE, who would have turned 100 this year, but for his sudden and tragic death in 1994. Trailblazing wildlife campaigner, Bill, co-founded the charity in 1984 with his wife, Virginia, and eldest son, Will Travers OBE. Born Free has named 2022 ‘Year of the Lion’ in Bill’s honour.

A Forever Lions Fund, set up in his memory, will use money raised by the exhibition and other donations to help protect wild lions, resolve human-predator conflict, care for rescued lions, and stop the slaughter of lions for trophies and as part of ‘canned’ lion hunting (the killing of lions in captive facilities from which there is no escape).

Bill and Virginia are fondly remembered around the world for their portrayal of George and Joy Adamson in the much-loved 1966 film, Born Free, which tells the true story of the Adamson’s efforts to rehabilitate an orphaned lioness called Elsa, and return her to the wild. Born Free Forever’s incredible centrepiece features Elsa standing on top of a vintage 4x4. She is the charity’s original inspiration and a symbol of hope for the survival of the species.

Like Elsa, all the sculptures link to Born Free’s history and its ground-breaking rescue and care, policy and conservation work. Each tells a tale of the stark reality and brutal challenges facing lions today. From Christian, the cub purchased from Harrods department store in London and successfully returned to the wild in Kenya, to Makena, the Kenyan lioness living wild in the Born Free-supported Meru National Park, to Cora, saved from appalling conditions in a Spanish zoo, and now living at a sanctuary in South Africa. Other members of the special, bronze pride include Louga, one of Born Free’s ‘Lions of Lockdown’, rescued from a circus in France and given a forever home at Born Free’s sanctuary in Shamwari Private Reserve, South Africa, earlier this year, and Cecil, the lion whose barbaric killing by an American trophy hunter in Zimbabwe in 2015 sparked international outrage.

Each of the incredible statues is available to purchase, with all the funds supporting Born Free’s vital conservation and welfare work: https://www.bornfree.org.uk/born-free-forever/sculpture-pricelist

There has never been a more crucial time to save lions following a terrifying decline of 90% in just over 55 years. Born Free Forever not only allows visitors in the Scotland to learn about these incredible creatures, but also offers them the chance to join the Born Free Pride, people who vow to protect them for generations to come.

Virginia McKenna OBE, Co-Founder & Trustee, Born Free, said: “I am overjoyed to be bringing our beautiful lion exhibition, Born Free Forever, to Scotland, a country which has a special place in my heart as it was where, in 1969, my late husband Bill and I worked together on bringing Gavin Maxwell’s magical story, ‘Ring of Bright Water’ to the big screen. I have been back many times, most recently in the summer of 2021. Tragically, since that time, wild lion numbers have declined catastrophically – and Born Free is determined to do something about it! That is why I urge everyone who can to please visit this incredible exhibition and discover why this magnificent pride of lions means so much to Born Free. Each one has its own unique and powerful true story. Through those individual stories, visitors will learn about the plight of lions in captivity, the challenges they face in the wild – where they belong – and what we can all do to help. I’m so thrilled that Edinburgh is hosting this stunning exhibition and I hope people of all ages will come to share the experience and become part of our Born Free Family.”

Will Travers OBE, Executive President & Co-Founder, Born Free, stated: “Lions are confronted by many challenges, persecuted in the wild and exploited in captivity. We simply cannot ignore their individual suffering and declining numbers for a moment longer. This life-size, outdoor, bronze sculpture exhibition, created by monumental artists Gillie and Marc, and featuring iconic lions, including Elsa on top of a 4x4, champions lions and tells some of their stories. I encourage everyone to visit Born Free Forever in Edinburgh, not only to marvel at the exhibition and learn more about these emblematic and majestic creatures, but to help us raise funds and campaign so that there is a forever for lions.”

Jane Lee McCracken, Artist, Designer & Founder and CEO of Drawing for the Planet, added: “I am beyond thrilled that the Born Free Forever exhibition will be displayed in my hometown, Edinburgh. It is an honour to partner with Born Free to deliver a Biro drawing workshop to George Heriot’s schoolchildren and provide them with the opportunity to draw the stunning bronze lions. This breath-taking exhibition is vital to raising awareness of the plight of lions and encouraging the protection of this majestic, keystone species for future generations. A world without lions is simply unimaginable.”

Gillie and Marc, who created the sculptures, concluded: “The bronze cubs symbolise the future generations of lions that can be created with hard work, dedication and a lot of love. The lion is a big part of our national identity and personifies the qualities of what it is to be British; strength, courage and pride. If wild lions were to become extinct, we would lose part of ourselves.”

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