Archive for the ‘Big Cats Campaign News’ Category
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Ensessakotteh, Born Free Foundation’s new wildlife rescue, conservation and education centre in Ethiopia, has received a Planning Award at the 2011 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Victoria Awards.
In 2010, Australian architectural practice, Taylor Cullity Lethlean, travelled to Ethiopia with the Born Free team to undertake research to produce a masterplan for the amazing 77ha site of Ensessakotteh and the structures to be developed within. Alongside partners David Hancocks and Peter Stroud, Taylor Cullity Lethlean worked with the Born Free team to investigate a solution to house rescued wildlife that was economically viable with minimal impact upon the environment. The key focus of the project was the welfare of the rescued animals to be housed on site. Additionally, Born Free wanted to be able to introduce Ethiopians, as well as international visitors, to the diverse flora and fauna of the site as well as further afield.
As explained on AILA’s website, “What has been delivered is a masterplan that goes beyond a wildlife rescue program and embraces broader values towards the community’s relationship to its natural environment… Much can be learnt from this project in terms of the delivery and ambition of the masterplan, and on a more specific level in terms of the design of animal sanctuaries and their relationship with the public.”
It was key that Born Free ensured the integrity of the impressive 77ha site which His Excellency, President Girma Wolde Giorgis, helped us to secure, alongside guaranteeing the highest welfare of the rescued animals destined for Ensessakotteh. With Taylor Cullity Lethlean and animal welfare consultants David Hancocks and Peter Stroud on board, we have been able to create an effective and innovative outline for the first wildlife rescue, conservation and education centre in Ethiopia. As construction continues and we bring the priority rescued animals to Ensessakotteh, the masterplan has provided an excellent, informative guide for the development team as well as to present and future donors. As the AILA jury explained, they “were impressed with the landscape architects’ role in providing a short term response together with a long term program to shift cultural and ethical values.”