The past month has seen us move closer to not only getting the five Kuwait lions home to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, but when Tim and I visited Kuwait Zoo to see the lions and discuss transport plans, a sixth young lion, Aziza, had just arrived. Naturally, we said we would bring her with the rest of the group as we cannot leave anyone behind (more below).
 
We also bring important campaign developments in the UK, Colombia, and the US – never forgetting that changing laws for animals is the way we can end the suffering (and sometimes even save animals in the process). Here are just a few of the highlights:

When we visited Kuwait Zoo to see the lions and discuss the transport, a new young lioness had just arrived, Aziza. We said we would take her and in anticipation of success, we cut up and flat-packed six crates instead of five and shipped them to Kuwait ahead of the move. Kuwait officials worked super-fast to reissue the CITES export permit to include 18-month-old Aziza. We have explained Aziza’s situation to CITES South Africa and they will also cancel the application for the five and issue a new permit for six lions to include Aziza. Although this potentially delays the move, these animals get a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and we cannot leave anyone behind. More about our new passenger soon.
 
To recap – these lions were all rescued from the illegal pet trade. Our thanks to Kuwait Zoo who continue to care for them, and to Qatar Airways Cargo who have offered a free flight for all six.
 
We are still raising funds to cover the cutting and remaking of the 6 transport crates to flat-pack, transport, export clearing fees, etc., together with costs of amending the current Kakato Home Sweet Home introduction habitats so we can safely move lions and introduce more pairs/groups. These two parts of the operation are currently running at around $18,000. Some costs are still to come in. 

Can you help us with this rescue? Please donate here. 

Good news – bullfighting: Colombia’s bill 219/23C, to ban bullfighting, now faces just one final debate and vote in the House of Representatives, after being passed by ten votes to one in its final committee hearing. The bill has already been passed in the Senate and so is now on a knife edge as the bullfighting industry mobilizes its powerful lobby. The supporters of this brutality will do everything they can to stop it. Please support the ADI Colombia campaign here. 

ADI and other UK animal groups are urging political parties to develop a nationwide plan to phase out experiments on animals, and adopt scientifically advanced, animal-free methods as part of their manifesto commitments for the general election. We joined fellow advocates outside parliament as MPs discussed animal testing and non-animal methods, following public petitions. During the debate, the government announced that it will publish a plan this summer “to accelerate the development, validation, and uptake of technologies and methods to reduce reliance on the use of animals in science.”

Dr. Peter Caldwell, Prof. Gerhard Steenkamp, and their team spent two days at ADIWS dental surgery (aka the kitchen!) on Rolex, Simba, Scarc, and Ruben. Prof. Steenkamp removed some broken incisor teeth and performed root canals on Rolex. Simba had a filling replaced, and Scarc required root canal treatment to repair the tip of a canine tooth. Dr. Caldwell had been waiting for Ruben to build up his strength prior to surgery. Prof. Steenkamp managed to save all four of Ruben’s canine teeth with root canals, although several molars were removed. Battered Ruben will need further surgery, but another substantial improvement in the quality of his life is envisaged. Dr. Caldwell also checked on Kiara, who has a cataract on her eye, which he has been monitoring and will need to be removed at some stage. 

It is known that captivity fails to meet the basic psychological, physical, and social needs of cetaceans, resulting in their suffering and distress. Yet some 50 orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales remain in concrete tanks in the US. The reintroduced Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act would ban both the taking and breeding of these species for public display, and their import/export unless for transport to sanctuary and return to the wild. Please urge your Congress members to support the SWIMS Act, S3694, today. 

Last May, ADI agreed to provide a home to a group of free-roaming donkeys which had been abandoned at a closed holiday lodge. We speculated there could be a hidden passenger with one of the females, but little did we know, two were already pregnant. Our new baby, Nugget, has been joined by another baby. Eeyore, so nicknamed because of their floppy ears, should be the last of our surprise babies; the two male donkeys have been sterilized. The donkey herd is loving roaming the entire sanctuary, keeping tabs on all the other residents, including the humans. Support our expanding family of rescued domestic animals here. 

In its final parliamentary stages, the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will prohibit the export of sheep, goats, pigs, cows, horses, and other bovine/equine animals from Britain for slaughter or fattening for slaughter. In the EU alone, 44 million farmed animals are transported in poor conditions on horrific long-distance journeys each year.

New arrivals: ADIWS dogs Rollo and Milo have a new friend joining their walks, Harold the Egyptian goose! Harold arrived at ADIWS with two rescued Pomeranian geese (Hoighty and Toighty). Harold has become Rollo’s friend, grooming him, and joining the dogs on their walks – part flying and part walking alongside. The dogs watch over our rescued ducks, chickens, turkey, and guinea fowl living around the Chris Lee Lodge gardens. Other newcomers include four tortoises rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The ADI family is growing!

A new bill to advance a UK ban on hunting trophy imports has passed its second reading today. It was introduced after the government failed to deliver on its 2019 manifesto promise to introduce a ban, and after a previous Private Member’s bill fell due to pro-hunting opposition. Ahead of the reading, ADI, and other members of Coalition to Ban Canned and Trophy Hunting, called on the government to affirm their commitment to a ban and ensure the bill’s passage through parliament.

We have all been mourning the passing of our magnificent warrior, 21-year-old Leo, lion father of the Sanctuary. Pictured earlier this year, Leo enjoyed a decade in ADI care after we rescued him from a circus in Peru. Thanks to ADI supporters, Leo crossed the world to live in the sunshine and with his own kind, among the flowers in the land of his forefathers. His golden years were spent with the love of his life Muñeca, home in Africa. Despite our sadness, please remember what an incredible gift you gave this magnificent lion. Read our tribute to Leo. 

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who submitted a review on GreatNonprofits, making ADI one of the first winners of the 2024 Top-Rated Award! See the inspiring stories posted by supporters, get involved, and add your own here.
 
With your support, we can make a difference for animals. To help us continue this work, please donate here.
 
Please also remember you can make a huge difference for animals with a bequest in your will. These lasting gifts secure our work to change the world for animals and provide lifelong support for those we rescue from suffering.

Thank you so much for your support.