- Land Rover continues support for international wildlife charity Born Free Foundation
- Land Rover funds new lion enclosure alongside Defender utility vehicle and contributes towards the running of new visitor and education centre
- New facility set to help educate thousands of school children and visitors each year
Ethiopia, 8th May 2015 ‑ Land Rover and international wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation, have opened a vital new lion enclosure and education centre in Ensessakotteh, Ethiopia.
'The Tree House' centre, is a re‑designed facility set to cater for thousands of visiting school children each year. It provides a base and classroom facilities which will help the team at Ensessakoteh carry out environmental education activities that include interactive games, role‑playing and writing workshops, all focused on educating the next generation on the importance of conversation and care for animals.
Marking the significance of the initiative, actress and legendary conservationist, Virginia McKenna OBE; His Excellency, the former President of the FDRE, Girma Wolde‑Giorgis; Dawud Mume Ali, Director General of Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority; and Adam M Roberts, CEO of the Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA were in attendance demonstrating their support.
Ensessakoteh, meaning 'Animal Foot Print' in Amharic, offers sanctuary to over 70 wild animals who have either been orphaned or confiscated from illegal trade or ownership. The centre is able to house the wildlife within 77‑hectres of protected wilderness whilst offering a peaceful haven for visitors, allowing them to enjoy the beautiful surroundings that still retain their natural environment.
Land Rover has a unique history with the Born Free Foundation and its vehicles have played a key role in the charity's activities in Africa and beyond. Ensessakoteh has a Land Rover Defender on site which assists in the everyday activities of the staff, from transporting food and equipment around the wilderness areas to supporting the day to day running of the education centre.
The charity, supported by Land Rover, is devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare, taking action to protect threatened species and stop animal suffering as well as helping the local government with wildlife management.
Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director, said: "The redevelopment of the centre at Ensessakotteh is a project that Land Rover and Born Free have been working towards for some time. The facility will provide a protective environment to care for the wildlife. The centre will also play a vital role in educating young people about the importance of conservation and will make a real difference by spreading awareness about how people can adapt their lives and attitudes to ensure a sustainable future for man and wildlife alike."
Adam M. Roberts, Born Free CEO added, "The Born Free Foundation works dynamically and diligently the world over to conserve wildlife, stop suffering, and rescue individual animals in need. We can only accomplish our significant successes year after year with the strong support of vital partners such as Land Rover. Ethiopia's wild animals are more secure because Born Free and Land Rover are working together to ensure their well‑being, and that is a partnership of which we will forever be proud."
For further information on Ensessakotteh: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/about‑us/born‑free‑ethiopia/
ENDS
For further information, log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:
Jessica Rumboll
Press Officer
02476 564258
07880 177300
jrumboll@landrover.com
Notes to Editors:
- Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.
- 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 work 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
- Land Rover supports SLTP Mobile Health Units, co‑ordinated by NCSA and SF, to carry out basic health outreach to remote villages in and around some of Satpuda's Tiger Reserves, providing free medical treatment and medicines. Doctors and a health assistant treat approximately 15,000 patients a year as part of this unique community‑based conservation strategy.
- Land Rover's Global Conservation Partnership with the Born Free Foundation reflects its integrated approach to securing global sustainability. The partnership brings together specialist knowledge, innovation and expertise, providing essential support to improve the lives of people, the environment and animals in Ethiopia and around the world.
Follow us on Twitter @LandRoverUKPR
