The countdown has begun! We are so excited to share with you that the Kuwait 6 lions will be arriving at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday 20 May.

Young lions Saif, Dhubiya, Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, and now Aziza, have been rescued from the illegal wildlife pet trade in the Middle East – and were either surrendered, confiscated, or captured after being abandoned. We are so thankful to the workers and volunteers at the Kuwait Zoo for caring for the lions, and to Qatar Airways Cargo who will move the lions free of charge as part of their WeQare scheme. I will be in Kuwait this week and will update you as we prepare for take-off on Sunday 19^th May.

To help fund the lions’ lifetime care at ADIWS donate here: UK £, Euros, Rand | US $, CA $.

Read on to learn more about our campaign developments in the UK, Colombia, and the US, as well as rescue and sanctuary news.  

Colombia’s bullfighting ban on a knife edge. Despite hours of debate in the House of Representatives this week, the historic Bill 219/23C to ban bullfighting has yet to go to a vote. The ban will be back on the agenda on May 14. As well as lobbying, ADI has sponsored mobile digital billboards to tour Bogota, showing footage from bull fights and giving people the facts on the suffering of the bulls and horses. Despite public support for a ban, the powerful bullfighting lobby continues to pull out all the stops to block the bill. Support the Colombia Sin Toreo campaign

World Day for Laboratory Animals saw us highlighting the suffering of lab animals around the world. Globally, four animals suffer and die in tests or experiments every second. On World Day for Laboratory Animals, April 24, supporters urged their MPs and Representatives to call for the adoption of advanced scientific non-animal methods and wider scientific scrutiny of proposals for animal use. Better science for animals and people. If you have yet to do so, please take part here: UK | US

Our new End Animal Testing range is exclusively available from the ADI store. With t-shirts, hoodies and more to choose from, check out and order here: UK store | US store. As well as helping to raise awareness of the issue, all purchases help raise funds for our life-saving work too.

Wenatchee City Council in Washington unanimously voted to ban exotic/wild animals in traveling shows and to restrict their private ownership.

Elsewhere, female Asian elephant Viola escaped from the Jordan World Circus in Butte, with videos showing her crossing a busy four-lane street, obstructing traffic, with a handler helplessly running after her with a bullhook. She was eventually re-captured, but has a history of escaping the circus. Such incidents underscore the public safety risks of wild animals in circuses. If you live in the US, help secure a nationwide ban. Urge your Congress members to call for and support the reintroduction of the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA).

The Scottish Parliament has banned snares, under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. These noose-like devices, used to trap animals, are indiscriminate and can cause prolonged suffering.

Elephant and camel rides are back at Scarborough Renaissance Festival, Waxahachie, Texas, every weekend until May 27. The suppliers, Trunks and Humps were previously caught by ADI on video repeatedly beating Krissy the elephant and using a stun gun on her. The loud, crowded festival is a stressful environment for elephants and camels who walk in circles for hours carrying people. Please call on the Festival to stop these rides. Send a polite email to entertainment@srfestival.com.

Washington has become the 12th US state to take a stand against the use of rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice to test cosmetics. Modern testing methods should now replace outdated animal use. With public support for ending these tests, national bans have now been secured in over 40 countries worldwide. For a nationwide ban in the US, call on your Congress member to support the Humane Cosmetics Act today.

Miami Seaquarium’s lease has been terminated reportedly due to deteriorating conditions and animal welfare violations. They have been ordered to leave but are refusing to do so. Lack of recourses led to them euthanizing a sea lion at the end of March. Aquariums and marine parks are no place for animals who belong in the wild. In the US, ADI supports the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act to ban the taking, breeding and import/export of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales and false killer whales for public display. Please urge your Congress members to support the SWIMS Act, S3694.

UK Government promises ban on Forced Swim Test, during which mice or rats are placed into a water-filled container, from which it is impossible to escape. The principle is that the animal will initially desperately attempt to escape, knowing that they will otherwise drown. When the animal eventually despairs, and gives up, becoming immobile, this is measured as an indicator of depression. Used for decades to test drugs for treating the incredibly complex human condition of depression, an end to this torture is long overdue. ADI is urging the commitment to implemented without delay.

House of Representatives votes 209 to 205 to remove protections for gray wolves. ADI and 102 other organizations signed onto a letter to US House members opposing The Trust the Science Act (HR764), which directs the Secretary of Interior to reissue the final rule to delist gray wolves in 44 states and threatens to remove Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves. Sadly it was passed and moves to the Senate. Please call your US Senators and urge them to OPPOSE Trust the Science Act, HR764.

A young female capuchin rescued in Peru will be joining the ADI animal family in Peru in our Amazon forest habitats! Estimated to be 1-2 years old, she had been kept as a pet until the authorities intervened. Forced to live in environments so different to their natural worlds, wild animals kept as pets suffer deprivation and loneliness, and can develop physical and psychological problems. You can support the care of our newest rescue here: UK £ | US $.

UK Bill to ban hunting trophy imports, after passing its second reading, is now in the report stage in the House of Commons, date to be announced. The previous bill to progress the ban failed to pass in the House of Lords, after running out of time due to opposition from Lords. Help keep the pressure on and join the call to the Prime Minister to get the ban done.

Sea Lion Splash (despite their numerous USDA citations) makes ludicrous claim that they demonstrate the animals’ natural habitat. Yet, the sea lions and otters are transported in trailers that double up as a stage with portable pools and tanks that are wholly inadequate. Last month at the Pima County Fair, Tucson, Arizona, sea lions were forced to balance balls, catch rings, perform handstands and other tricks three times a day while Otter Adventure had otters swimming in tiny tanks described as an “interactive show” for “nonstop entertainment”. Please call and/or email Pima County Fair and politely ask them not to invite Sea Lion Splash, Otter Adventure, or any other performing wild animal acts back. Phone: 520-762-9100 | Email: office@pimacountyfair.com | https://www.facebook.com/pimacountyfair

Lab animal supply company Safer Human Medicine plans to build a $396 million facility in Bainbridge, Georgia to 30,000 long-tailed macaque monkeys. Aside from the horrific fate these animals would be sold into, there are concerns about escapes and potential for disease. There are better, advanced scientific methods to replace animals. This International Macaque Week (the first week of May), will you speak up for the tens of thousands of macaques that could end up here? Urge Mayor Edward Reynolds to stop the plans and support better science. Send a polite email to edwardr@bainbridgecity.com.

Killing of badgers in England is to intensify in ‘hotspot’ areas where populations could be reduced to almost zero, despite Government pledges to stop the culls. As studies have found, culling badgers cannot meaningfully contribute to the future control of bovine TB in Britain, the removal of badgers also impacting negatively on the wider ecosystem.  Join ADI in calling on the Prime Minister and DEFRA Secretary of State to end the killing. Take action here.

Easyjet will no longer offer trips to zoos and marine parks in their holiday packages. Tours and activities will not include tickets to harmful animal-based attractions, including rides, performances, and sporting events. ADI supports this positive change in policy and hopes other companies will follow their lead. In the UK, the promotion/sale of harmful animal activities will be banned under the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act, once regulations have been decided which ADI is calling on the government to progress.

Finally, if you missed our Facebook live from ADIWS as Max, Stripes, Kesari, Coco and Coco enjoyed some special watermelon and catnip treats, you can watch (or watch again!) the fun and games here. 

The past weeks have been overshadowed by the passing of Ruben. We have been overwhelmed and comforted by the touching response and kind words from all of you who followed Ruben’s story and supported his rescue and care. Thank you.

Ruben’s remarkable determination and lust for life inspired us all. We have rarely seen an animal so determinedly grasp his new life with both paws. When he arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, Ruben’s entire countenance changed; his face was no longer furrowed and stressed but relaxed and happy. Above all else, a steely determination to grab hold of his new life emerged. He pushed himself to walk further and further each day. We came to believe Ruben could achieve anything. 

For seven months, he lived a wonderful life – a lion in the land of his forefathers and living with his own kind after years of loneliness. He found his roar again. His time with us was not enough, but we would do it all again to see him enjoy even just a week of the life he enjoyed in Africa. Farewell, Ruben, you lit up our lives. Read more here.

When the Kuwait 6 lions arrive at the sanctuary later this month, there will be an undoubted sadness amongst us all that they will not be moving in next to Ruben. But his memory and inspiration will live on.

With your support we can continue to make a difference for animals. To help, please donate here: UK £, Euros, Rand | US $, CA $