Dear John,

It’s a special time for our charity – tomorrow would be Joy Adamson’s birthday.

Knowing how you love lions and share Joy’s vision for their safe future, we're sorry to share the distressing images below. But, we need your help. Already under threat from habitat loss, lions are being persecuted across Africa, even hunted and killed for ‘fun’.

Tragically, many animals are still killed by trophy hunters every day. Covered in blood, their lives extinguished, once glorious lions lie slumped on the ground, where their blood flows. Glassy eyed, they died in agony for this nauseating, glorified ‘sport’. The king of the animals, yet these awe-inspiring apex predators have no defence against the hunter’s gun.

These images sicken us but make us determined. We MUST end this repulsive ‘sport’. Thank you for feeling as we do. Trophy hunting is unacceptable and, with your support, we won’t stop fighting until we bring it to an end.

Through our Saving Lions Together appeal, you are helping us to end lion exploitation and save this iconic species. 

Our appeal is coming to an end this week, so this is your last chance to help us reach our goal! Every penny donated to Saving Lions Together matters. Please take action now to keep lions safe, forever.

This is our vision for the future – for everyone who loves lions. A vision shared by Joy Adamson, Dame Virginia McKenna and YOU. This is what you are donating towards. This is Born Free.

Thank you. We can’t do it without YOU.

Team Born Free.

Photos © georgelogan.co.uk, Elsa Conservation Trust, Colombia Pictures