Before I start this month’s round-up of ADI campaigns around the world, I have some great news. A family of six donkeys (above), one male, three females and two foals, that were abandoned when a lodge went into administration, started a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), South Africa yesterday!

The SPCA Bloemfontein asked if we could help and when we said “YES”, collected and brought the donkeys to ADIWS. The family bounding off the transporter will surely be one of the magical moments of 2023. They are currently in a four-acre enclosure while we settle them in but will eventually be able to roam freely around the sanctuary. The male will be castrated to prevent breeding.

The export permit for Ruben to leave Armenia and travel to South Africa has been issued. Lonely Ruben, who was left in a deserted private zoo for five years after it closed, is a big step closer to hearing the roars of other lions again at the ADIWS. Ruben will remain in the FPWC bear sanctuary, Armenia, until the move. A special habitat is ready at ADIWS, and we await his South African import permit. Please help Ruben’s big move.
Please help Ruben’s big move.

Dame Joanna Lumley, Alexandra Paul, Mena Suvari and Tonya Kay joined ADI’s call for government action on April 24 to replace the 115 million animals used in experiments worldwide each year with advanced non-animal scientific methods.
Here’s what they had to say.

ADI Colombia marked World Day for Laboratory Animals with a protest outside the Ministry of Health in the capital Bogota. The protestors displayed pictures of animals from ADI investigations inside labs.

This week four lions escaped from a storm-damaged circus cage in Pakistan. They entered a plaza in Lahore, causing panic, and a group of men, reportedly armed with sticks and weapons, set out to kill them. Police and circus staff captured the animals after a few hours on the loose. A month ago, two lions escaped from a circus during a performance in China and were recaptured in the car park. Two weeks ago, a boy was fatally mauled by a lion at a zoo in Gaza after climbing through safety barriers. These are dangerous animals and should not be kept in circus cages or brought into close contact with people.
Email the Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and urge him to ban the use of wild animals in circuses and travelling acts: info@pmo.gov.pk

As Culpepper and Merriweather Circus toured Indiana and Ohio with its big cat act, supporters called on the circus to adopt an animal-free policy. To stop all wild and exotic animal acts nationwide, please ask your legislators to reintroduce TEAPSPA. Take action here.

The world’s two most famous horse races, the Grand National and Kentucky Derby, saw the deaths of three and two horses respectively. A further seven horses died at the home of the Kentucky Derby in the build-up to the race and there have now been 60 deaths at the Grand National event since 2000. This year, at least 100 racehorses have died in the US, while over a year around 200 horses will die on British racecourses.

Please send your love, thoughts, and prayers to Smith, who we rescued from a circus in Peru (he has no mane because he was castrated in the circus). The huge, beloved lion remains in the hospital where Dr Caldwell has concluded that the root of his ill health issues this year is a heart problem. As our pic shows, Smith is relaxed and eating, but his condition is serious, and Dr Caldwell will do what he can for our boy. We dearly hope that he will be back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary soon.

Bill to ban animal tested cosmetics in Oregon (HB3213) passed the state’s House of Representatives and Senate committee stage and currently awaits a vote on the Senate floor.

A bill to ban the sale of fur in Hawaii passed the House and Senate but ran out of time before the end of the session. A ban on the sale of fur products in Rhode Island is currently held in committee for further study. Similar bills are under consideration in Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C.
Find out how you can help.

ADI is opposing plans by the Sri Lankan government to export 100,000 endangered toque macaque monkeys to Chinese zoos, although it is feared such a huge number means they are destined for experiments.

A key member of the ADI team for 20 years, Alexis Diaz Limaco tragically passed away in April aged just 50. A new video with interviews with Alexis shows some of the work he played such an important part in. It is an inspiring account of some of ADI’s successes in Latin America, a reminder of the impact that each of us can have for animals, and a chance to hear again the laughter of our friend and colleague.
Watch our video tribute to Alexis.

Climate change is the greatest threat to the environment and survival of many species. To save our planet we need to dramatically reduce global carbon emissions, and the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary is stepping up with plans to be fully solar powered this year. Already, lion and tiger habitats, water pumps, motorized gates, security cameras, and lights are solar powered. Next, a huge installation of almost 100 solar panels at the heart of the sanctuary will power our sanctuary, including feed preparation areas, freezers, offices, accommodation, and in future our education center and film theatre.

Please support this important development which will be good for the planet and provide energy and security for the sanctuary.

You can help all of the diverse aspects of ADI’s work here.