August was the month everything changed for lonely lion Ruben when he made his journey from Armenia home to Africa and a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. We have all marveled at the bravery of this battered old warrior, driving himself forward on his wobbly legs and playing with his toys.
Ruben’s chance of a new life had looked in jeopardy, until Qatar Airways’ Cargo WeQare charity scheme stepped in, donating space on two flights to bring him home. After his long journey, we finally saw him step from his travel crate onto African soil, play enthusiastically with a giant catnip toy, and heard his roar grow a little louder with each day.
Due to a lifetime of poor nutrition, he has spondylitis, an inflammatory disease which can cause bones to fuse, exacerbated by confinement and lack of exercise, leaving his legs weak. This causes him difficulty walking and his spine is arched. Dr Caldwell has examined and prescribed vitamins, minerals, and supplements to support his body and, with more space than he has ever known, his mobility is already improving.
His face and demeanor have transformed as he has relaxed.
Watch: Ruben’s arrival at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.
Watch: Ruben’s first roar
To support Ruben’s care, please donate here.
But August wasn’t just the month for Ruben, ADI’s vital work continued around the world as we battle for those like Ruben. Here’s just a few examples…
Heartbreak as chimpanzees Pancho and Chita were shot dead after escaping from a zoo in Colombia. Pancho and another chimpanzee Karla had been surrendered to the zoo after ADI investigators filmed their abuse in a circus – we tried to get them to a sanctuary, but our efforts were blocked. The horrific footage of Karla being beaten with a chain and punched led to Colombia’s ban on wild animals in circuses. After the deaths of Panco and Chita, ADI demonstrated at the Ministry of the Environment and met with the Director of Forests.
Please join our call for the surviving chimp at the zoo, Yoko. To be relocated to a sanctuary. Email servicioalcliente@ukumari.co. Sadly, we have learned that Karla passed away last year.
ADI has called for three wild lions to be spared after an employee of Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa was killed by lions after defying regulations and walking in the reserve at night. A tragedy, but another may now be added after an application to euthanize the lions. Please sign and share the petition to save the Dinokeng lions.
Great news: Governor Kotek signed Oregon’s bill to ban the sale of new cosmetics tested on animals, making it the eleventh US state to embrace cruelty-free legislation. The ban will take effect on January 1, 2024. If you live in the US, please urge your Congress members to reintroduce the Humane Cosmetics Act to ban cosmetic tests on animals nationwide.
Lolita, also known as Tokitae and Toki, never got her happy ending. In March, after her deteriorating health meant she was unable to perform, Miami Seaquarium finally announced plans to move her to an ocean pen within two years. She never made it, dying after five decades in a tiny tank following her violent capture in 1970 at just four years old. In the wild, orcas swim up to 140 miles a day and live with their birth families their entire lives, living up to 90 years old. A victim of cruelty in the name of entertainment. Never visit these attractions and ask friends to do the same.
ADI joined forces with other animal groups to urge the International Finance Corporation to stop financing factory farming. In a letter to its Governor, we raised concerns about the Corporation’s recent funding of multi-story pig farms in China, industrial pig production in Vietnam, industrial broiler chicken production in Uganda, and industrial pig and chicken production in Ecuador. The Corporation has paid little regard to the World Organisation for Animal Health’s international guidelines on animal welfare and its own good practice guidelines.
Since 2000, capuchin monkey Katie – who appeared in the TV show Friends nearly 30 years ago – has been used to pump up fans at Los Angeles Angels’ home games. In clips screened at baseball games, she is made to dance and hold signs while wearing the team’s strip. The stadium also uses live monkeys for photo ops. ADI has written to Los Angeles Angels, urging them to stop exploiting wild animals. Join us by contacting LA Angels’ owner Arte Moreno (arte@angels.com) and chairperson Dennis Kuhl (dennis.kuhl@angels.com) today.
The Banana Derby, a cruel race which sees capuchin monkeys strapped onto dogs to emulate jockeys, is currently on tour. This shameful act was at the Lawrence County Fair in New Castle, Pennsylvania last month, and is currently at the Upper South Carolina State Fair in Easley, South Carolina until September 10. Please call or email a polite request to both fairs to cancel the Banana Derby and adopt an animal-free entertainment policy:
Lawrence County Fair: 724-654-7745 / lawcofair@gmail.com
Upper South Carolina State Fair: 864-269-0852 / upperscstatefair@gmail.com
Contact ADI if you see Banana Derby or similar acts coming to your hometown.
We also said farewell to a giant for the animals, US gameshow host Bob Barker. You will be missed, Mr B. Read our tribute to Bob Barker.
ADI one of the winners of a 2023 Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits! We are overwhelmed by the wonderful comments and stories that our supporters posted to secure this prestigious award for the third year running. Read inspiring stories about our work or add your own review here.
That was August, what will September bring? We expect many exciting developments for Ruben as his strength grows and he explores more at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, and there will be challenges ahead in our campaigns to end animal suffering around the world.
Jan Creamer 