On this day last year, I was in Armenia and met Ruben for the first time. Back then he was an angry, frightened lion, and barely able to go a few paces without stumbling and falling. What a difference today, standing with him this morning at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (pictured above), he was happy, relaxed, and confident in his habitat.

Ruben’s story captured hearts and headlines around the world: The lonely lion who went home to Africa to roar with his own kind again, and his heroic battle to walk and play again.

2023 was certainly Ruben’s year, but there were other important achievements for animals. Here is our countdown of our top ten magic moments of 2023:

One of the most joyous sights of the year was Matilda the cow and her ragtag family of goats and sheep running together at ADIWS. Saved from suffering and abuse – the sheep were on their way to be killed at a political rally – there really was nowhere for them in our region until ADI stepped in to provide them a home at ADIWS. Thank you to everyone who helped.

In Colombia, we celebrated a ban on the use of horses and dogs for riot control. It was one of several unheralded but important laws for animals during the year. The UK’s Online Safety Act was a first, aiming to protect people from harmful content online, and includes a measure to crack down on animal abuse for online entertainment. Also, the UK Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act was passed, to end UK promotion and sale of cruel and low welfare animal experiences overseas like elephant rides.

Two more unplanned residents for ADIWS were rescued pot-bellied pigs, Roosevelt and Churchill, who arrived just in time for Christmas. Maybe the 5-year-old brothers will decide to join our dogs Rollo and Milo on their walks in the near future!

Once the target of an ADI investigation, what a great day it was in 2023 when the last of Norway’s fur farms closed, just two years before the country’s ban came into force. Elsewhere, Lithuania banned fur farming, Hudson’s Bay Company and Harvey Nichols went fur-free, and Lexington became Massachusetts’ sixth municipality to ban the sale of new fur products.

Throughout the year, we released over 20 rescued tortoises into the 455 acres of ADIWS. Most were seized from the illegal pet or food trades, seven were rescued from wildfires. With a lifespan of 80-100 years, most have very long, happy lives ahead.

From the start, ADIWS has been committed to being a green sanctuary, leading by example against climate change, and in 2023 we took a giant step, with all operations moving to solar power! Our fences, motorized gates, cameras, and water supply pumps were already solar – now everything including freezers, accommodation, computers, heating, etc., are powered by the sun!

One of the most horrific circus industries ADI has exposed was in Spain. Few will forget the harrowing findings of our undercover team, the beatings, or the tiger who lay dead among his cage mates for a day and was then dragged out and skinned in front of them. Now it’s over, with Spain joining 50 other countries with bans on wild animals in circuses.

Surely, the US must act soon? There was progress: UniverSoul, one of the first circuses ADI investigated, dropped animal acts; Moolah Shrine dropped their bear, big cat, and elephant acts; Circus World in Wisconsin ended elephant performances; and Ringling Brothers returned without animals.

In May, a family of six donkeys who had been abandoned when a tourist lodge closed found a new life at ADIWS. With a donkey pregnancy lasting up to 14 months, what we didn’t know was that another little donkey was on her way! Just before Christmas, Mom gave birth to a beautiful baby foal. Both are doing well and have rejoined the herd roaming the Sanctuary.

Canada passed a ban on animal testing for cosmetics and sale of animal tested products, and also amended the country’s Environmental Protection Act to begin a phase-out of toxicity testing on animals which, if effectively implemented, could have a huge impact.

The US now lags behind over 40 countries on cosmetics testing, although state action is progressing, with Oregon becoming the eleventh cruelty-free state in the US. The Humane Cosmetics Act (HR5399) was reintroduced to ban cosmetic tests on animals nationwide. Please urge your Congress members to support.

My top magic moment is, predictably, Ruben’s arrival at ADIWS. As his travel crate was opened and supporters all over the world held their breath as he stepped out, his huge paws touching African soil for the first time. He wobbled but stayed on his feet with great determination and went on to play with his first-ever toy. Ruben’s life transformed before our eyes. Watch the video here. Ruben’s progress has been nothing short of inspirational; he has a zest for life which we had not seen before, and we cannot wait to see what this year holds for him. Thank you to everyone who cheered him on and helped bring him home.

These magic moments represent just part of ADI’s work which you helped make possible. Some transforms the lives of individuals like Ruben, while other work impacts countless animals for years to come – nearly a million animals were once killed on Norwegian fur farms every year.

Together we made a difference in 2023. Will you help make 2024 a special year for animals? Please consider a donation today.

Happy New Year and as always, we thank you for your support.