- Land Rover extends support to Born Free Foundation in India with the delivery of a new Land Rover Freelander
- Land Rover's Freelander with its all‑terrain capabilities will enable workers to reach areas otherwise inaccessible
- Land Rover's partnership with the Born Free Foundation was first established in 2002
Whitley, UK, June 11th 2014 ‑ Land Rover has extended its support to the Born Free Foundation's work in India by delivering a brand new Land Rover Freelander to the Satpuda Foundation, one of Born Free's partner organisations in Central India, to carry out critical conservation work in the country's central tiger reserves.
The Land Rover Freelander features the distinctive Born Free white paw prints, and will be a vital asset in the field and a highly visible ambassador for conservation work in the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme area, which is the largest viable block of tiger habitat in India.
Tigers have become a highly endangered species due to poaching and loss of their natural habitat. In fact, their numbers have now plummeted to just 3,500 worldwide ‑ these creatures are fighting for their very survival. There are dedicated teams at Satpuda working to ensure their future and this Land Rover Freelander is now an important part of that network.
Mark Cameron, Brand Experience Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Land Rover's on‑going partnership with the Born Free Foundation has already helped support some of the Foundation's most important projects in the UK, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. With this addition of the Land Rover Freelander to the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme, I believe together we will now make a real contribution to the conservation of the endangered Tiger in India.
"The Land Rover Freelander's all‑terrain capability will enable conservation workers to reach areas which would otherwise be inaccessible and ultimately protect the tigers throughout the Satpuda Landscape."
Will Travers OBE, President of the Born Free Foundation, added: "In one form or another Land Rover has been part of Born Free's DNA for nearly seven decades, all the way back to the days when George and Joy Adamson used a Land Rover to help return Elsa the lioness to freedom, a story that inspired Born Free the book, and the film.
"Today the link is even stronger with Born Free‑ branded Land Rovers already deployed in wildlife hotspots in South Africa, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. Now India will benefit from this strategic alliance and I am delighted that a brand new Freelander will be assisting in our efforts to protect wild tigers as part of our Satpuda Tiger Landscape Project, as well as help prevent their continued devastation at the hand of poachers.
"As ever, tigers and other threatened species can count on Born Free and we, in turn, can count on Land Rover!"
Professor Claudio Sillero, the Born Free Foundation's Head of Conservation, who leads the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme, added: "We are delighted to be able to assist the work of the Satpuda Foundation through the use of this specialist vehicle which will make a real difference to their ability to negotiate the rugged terrain of the Satpuda forests."
ENDS
For further information log onto www.media.landrover.com or contact:
Lydia Haley
Senior Press Officer
Land Rover PR
Tel: +44 2476 203627
Mobile: 0044 7730 923507
Email: lhaley1@jaguarlandrover.com
Editors Notes:
‑ Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.
About Born Free:
‑ 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. We rescue 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. Our 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
About the Satpuda Foundation:
‑ The Satpuda landscape includes the forests of Kanha, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Pench (Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh), Tadoba‑Andhari Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Navegaon‑Nagzira and all areas connecting these prime wildlife pockets. This landscape is viewed by experts as the largest contiguous tiger habitat in the world. It hosts around 300 tigers.
‑ The Satpuda Foundation operates in all major central Indian Tiger Reserves, working to implement conservation activities including: developing links with local communities bordering reserves; educating children about environmental issues; teaming‑up with villagers to create sustainable employment opportunities; organising medical camps to provide locals with free treatment and liaising with various Government agencies as required. Visit: http://www.satpuda.org for more information about its work.
