Taj Hotels forms Jungle Book partnership with Born Free Foundation

India’s Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces will release the special edition of the classic children’s story, The Jungle Book, as part of a new partnership with the Born Free Foundation, the international wildlife charity.

2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rudyard Kipling, and will see the release of a new Jungle Book movie. And to celebrate the occasion, a limited edition hardback copy of the classic tale will be released, along with a series of other events and initiatives.

Taj Safaris will be announcing a new range of luxury wildlife tours offering guests their own Jungle Book journey, guided by a Born Free wildlife expert. A VIP event at Taj’s St James’ Court Hotel in London will also be held in support of tiger conservation.

“Inspired by the indomitable spirit of the tiger, we are proud to renew our commitment to pioneering with purpose. We are delighted to be partnering with the Born Free Foundation to help protect threatened species and keep wildlife in the wild,” said Siddhartha Butalia, Taj’s director of marketing.

Taj’s hotels in London are also introducing a series of initiatives to support the charity, including providing cuddly toy tigers, themed colouring books and Jungle Book menus at their kids’ clubs, and promoting tiger adoption packs in the hotel boutiques. New themed menus will also be offered in restaurants, and proceeds from the sale of the books and F&B will go towards Born Free’s tiger conservation work in India.

“Today it is estimated that as few as 3,000 tigers remain in the wild. The Born Free Foundation is determined to save tigers from extinction through conservation and rescue work in India and we are delighted to join forces with the Taj in enhancing this commitment,” said Adam M Roberts, CEO of the Born Free Foundation.

Initially published in 1894, The Jungle Book is a collection of stories by English author Rudyard Kipling inspired by the time he spent in India.