MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Orange Orchard 865-977-1973 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Born Free USA Presents “A Celebration of Wildlife” Fundraising Event for U.S. Wildlife Conservation Efforts Actress Abigail Spencer hosts Los Angeles benefit for animal advocacy nonprofit on Sept. 27 LOS ANGELES – September 19, 2018 – Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, is hosting a major fundraising event, “A Celebration of Wildlife,” on Thursday, September 27, from 6:30 - 9:00 PM at Joao - West Hollywood Bar at The Jeremy. The event will raise money to support Born Free USA’s Primate Sanctuary in south Texas, the largest primate sanctuary in the United States, and the organization’s ongoing campaigns to protect wildlife from the illegal wildlife trade, trophy hunting, captivity, the fur industry, and trapping and to defend the Endangered Species Act. “Animals are threatened on many fronts,” said Born Free USA interim CEO Angela Grimes. “The illegal wildlife trade, trapping, trophy hunting, the fur industry, and captivity – as well as attempts to weaken legal protections for endangered species – make the work of Born Free USA more urgent than ever. But, despite these ongoing challenges, there is a growing movement of compassionate conservationists who recognize the need for us humans to protect animals and put an end to their suffering and exploitation. The generous support of this community allows us to keep up the fight with our advocacy, litigation, and lobbying efforts.” “A Celebration of Wildlife” will be hosted by actress Abigail Spencer (All My Children, Rectify) and entertainment executive Mike Fisher. Charity Angels founder Mellisa Nielsen will run the live and silent auction. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will also be available. Will Travers OBE, president and co-founder of Born Free, will be the event's keynote speaker. Travers established the Born Free Foundation (UK) in 1984 with his parents Virginia McKenna OBE and the late Bill Travers OBE, who starred in the 1966 Academy Award®-winning film Born Free. He has dedicated his life to wildlife issues and co-founded Born Free USA in the United States in 2002 to bring the message of compassionate conservation to a global audience. Guests may register online for “A Celebration of Wildlife” for a suggested donation of $100. For more information and to RSVP, visit http://bit.ly/acelebrationofwildlife. The online auction starts on September 13 and runs until September 27. Visit https://bfusa.cbo.io to browse auction items and bid. About Born Free USA Born Free USA, a national 501(c)(3), believes that every individual animal matters. Inspired by the Academy Award®-winning film Born Free, the organization works locally, nationally, and internationally on the conservation frontlines, in communities, classrooms, courtrooms, and in the halls of Congress to end wild animal cruelty and suffering and protect threatened wildlife. Launched in 2002, Born Free USA was inspired by Virginia McKenna and her late husband Bill Travers, who, along with their son, Will, founded The Born Free Foundation (UK) in 1984. Their experience in Kenya filming the classic 1966 Academy Award®-winning film Born Free, the story of Joy and George Adamson’s fight to successfully return Elsa the lioness to a wild and free life, launched the couple’s “compassionate conservation” movement, aimed at keeping wildlife in the wild. This movement continues to motivate millions of followers and activists across the globe. In 2007, Born Free USA merged with the Animal Protection Institute. Located in south Texas, Born Free USA's Primate Sanctuary is the largest such facility in the U.S. and provides a permanent home for roughly 500 primates retired from research facilities or rescued from inhumane conditions at zoos and private ownership. These primates have often endured a lifetime of abuse, neglect, and cruelty, and many come to the Sanctuary with special physical and emotional needs, requiring extensive care and services. Current species in residence include: bonnet macaque, long-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, rhesus macaque, stump-tailed macaque, Japanese macaque, olive baboon, and hamadryas baboon. Follow or friend us at: www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa, www.instagram.com/bornfreeusaorg. ### .