Our very best wishes for a peaceful and successful New Year!

Muheeb has been taken to hospital this week, for Dr Caldwell to examine him and undertake more tests to establish the reason for his weight loss. One of the #Kuwait6 lions, rescued from the illegal trophy pet industry, Muheeb has a friendly, playful nature, and since his arrival at ADIWS, has developed a loud roar and is now a regular voice in the daily chorus with Chino, Coco, Kesari, Simba and Rey. You may recall that Muheeb was sedated before Christmas for blood tests – the Christmas break delayed results, but they were inconclusive. We hope to hear further results soon. In the interim, his food, dietary supplements and vitamins have all been increased, and he has been given a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Although his weight stabilized, he has not yet gained weight, which is what we need to see. As a precaution, he is under strict quarantine. This does not appear to have impacted his playful nature, he wrestles with any form of enrichment and remains engaged with his carers, enjoys his blood/water ice lollies (to keep his fluids up), and continues to roar with his neighbours. We are all hoping for the best for Muheeb.

ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) Our journey building the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary to provide a safe and loving home for our survivors of circuses, zoos and private ownership is now in its seventh year – and what a journey it has been! This coming year, we hope to be ready to bring schools and other visitors to learn how they can help change the world for animals. In the meantime, the campaigns to end suffering of animals in entertainment have secured many more circus bans, as well as other entertainment.

I am delighted to bring you the latest news of our fundraiser to install the state-of-the-art waste disposal and grey water recycling and filtration system to conserve precious water at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Since our pre-Christmas update, we have now raised the remaining $21,764 / £17,799 of our $125,600 / £100,000 goal. THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this important appeal, and to Big Cat Rescue for their generous $50,000 / £40,000 match fund. WE DID IT and, with your help, the Sanctuary will enjoy water security for years to come, and work is already underway!

It has been over three years since the cataract on Kiara’s left eye began to significantly impact her vision and she now has very little, if any, vision in that eye. The ADIWS team constantly monitor for any inflammation and discomfort, so it can be treated quickly. Dr Peter Caldwell examined Kiara and determined that the eye will need to be removed at some stage. Now around 15 years old, ADI rescued Kiara from a circus in Peru ten years ago. Eye problems are common in rescued circus animals due to early age malnutrition, and it is often a case of holding the damage at bay for as long as possible. Over the years, several of our lions (Leo, Kiara Cusco, Smith) have needed surgery to remove an eye due to cataracts, which can become infected and painful. All have coped well and resumed life as normal following the surgery.

A barrage of lawsuits is before the Constitutional Court in Colombia in efforts to stop Law 2385/2024 banning bullfighting coming into force. The bullfighters argue the law violates fundamental rights such as culture, work, and personal freedoms, among others. ADI has filed a brief in defence of the law, citing the public’s strong opposition to violence towards animals in cultural events and that social norms and standards have evolved beyond such events. The public wishes to leave such activities in the past. The passing of Law 2385 has involved a colossal effort by ADI and other Colombian groups, and now we will defend the law until abolition of bullfighting becomes a reality.

ADI Colombia attended the 16th International Summit Against Bullfighting in Mexico City. The Summit, convened by CAS International, is an opportunity for campaigners across Latin America to exchange experiences, news, and strategies to help colleagues in the few countries in Latin America which still allow the barbaric bullfights. During the Summit, ADI and other Colombian groups, along with Senator Esmeralda Hernandez and House Representative Juan Carlos Losada, were recognized for their work to pass the Colombia bullfighting ban with an award from the Defenzoores Organization. ADI Colombia’s Eduardo and Yani are pictured with the award.

Our hearts and thoughts are with Los Angeles as wildfires in the area continue to rage. Taken from the ADI office, this image shows the fires starting to blaze, driven by exceptionally high winds. Members of our team and friends were under evacuation orders, and we were heartbroken to hear that some close friends lost everything. Our gratitude to everyone who has helped those still fighting the fires, and the wonderful people helping the animals. Our thoughts are with all affected. We are familiar with defending our Sanctuary in South Africa against wildfires but, thankfully, nothing of this magnitude.

If you live in the LA area, click here for relief effort resources.

Washington State: A new bill to prohibit the use of elephants, big cats, primates, and bears in traveling animal acts has been introduced in Washington State. This week, ADI testified in support of SB5065, which passed its first committee and now heads to the Rules Committee. The only way to stop the suffering of animals in circuses is to get prohibitive measures like this passed, so please join ADI in supporting them every step of the way, and until they become law.

If you live in Washington, please send a comment to your State Legislators and urge them to support SB 5065.

Across the US, call on your legislators to support the reintroduction TEAPSPA to ban traveling wild animal acts nationwide: 

The New Zealand government is to phase out greyhound racing with a ban from 2026. This allows time for the rehoming of dogs and for workers to transition to alternative jobs. In 2021 alone, 232 greyhounds died and 900 were injured on New Zealand’s tracks. ADI is hoping to see other countries, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, and the US—follow New Zealand’s example.

The Bern Convention’s Standing Committee has voted in favour of an EU proposal to downgrade the status of wolves from ‘strictly protected’, to ‘protected’. The Convention is a binding international legal instrument, and this is a step in the wrong direction for biodiversity and conservation. ADI with Eurogroup for Animals argue for the wolf to remain ‘strictly protected’. Scientific studies have shown culling is not an effective measure to reduce attacks on farmed animals. This decision will leave wolves in Europe vulnerable to hunting.

Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was fined 10,000 Swiss Francs and banned for one year after being found guilty of ‘engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.’ The Team GB medallist withdrew from last year’s Olympics after video emerged of her hitting a horse 24 times. Since the ban is backdated, Dujardin is eligible to compete again as early as July as well as at the next Olympics. Horses are the only animals used in the Olympics and ADI is supporting a petition to drop equestrian events from future Games, to stop horses being subject to intense training, travelling, competing, and physical abuse. Sign the petition here.

Animals in entertainment: Belgium has become the fourth country in Europe to ban dolphinaria, with a plan for the seapark in Bruges to close by 2037. It is hoped that improvements will be made to the conditions for the dolphins until they can return home. Provisions include a mandatory ban on breeding and import, and regular welfare evaluations to be conducted. Dolphins are highly intelligent and communicative, they live in family groups and have been known to show compassion, even for humans. The world’s oceans are their home – confinement in small concrete tanks is mental torture for such individuals, deprived of their family and the rich environment of the sea.

Over Christmas, Waldo the goose joined the gaggle at ADIWS after he was found caged and in appalling conditions in Bloemfontein by the SPCA. Of course we offered a home! Our rescued Pomeranian geese Hoity and Toity honked as they greeted the new arrival and the three now patrol the Chris Lee Lodge (volunteer housing) gardens and swim in the pool together.

Orca Kshamenk has been confined to a small concrete pool in Argentina’s Mundo Marino aquarium for over 30 years. Viral footage showing the male orca lying motionless has reignited the global outcry for his release. Although Mundo Marino insists he is “healthy” the scientific evidence is clear: captivity harms orcas, leading to abnormal behaviours and shortened lifespans. ADI is supporting a petition calling for his release. Help us push for the Kshamenk Law, a bill to ban captivity of marine mammals for shows in Argentina and demand rehabilitation or reintegration into the wild. Sign the petition here.

Good news. After banning fur from its catwalks, London Fashion Week has taken the next step, ending the use of exotic animal skins this year. Leading the way, collections will no longer feature the skins of animals such as alligators and snakes.

Widespread condemnation has followed the decision of Iceland’s outgoing government to grant 5-year whaling permits to two companies, Hvalur hf and Tjaldtanga. This will allow over 400 whales (209 fin whales and 217 minke whales) to be caught each year until 2029. Isolated in allowing such cruelty, only Iceland, Japan, and Norway are issuing whaling permits. Thank you to those who have taken action and spoken out against the killing. Please keep up the pressure and urge caretaker president Bjarni Benediktsson to end the hunts, see here.

Jordan World Circus will continue touring with animals this year, despite repeated calls to end animal performances. In 2024, one of their female Asian elephants, Viola, escaped after being spooked by backfire from a truck. She ran through the streets of Butte, Montana for 15 minutes before being caught and returned to the circus, put back in the ring and even giving rides to children. Loomis Brothers are also set to hit the road later this month. Help us to get TEAPSPA reintroduced in Congress in 2025 and ban the use of wild animals in traveling acts in the US.

If you missed our special video of the ADIWS residents enjoying their catnip stockings, stars, gingerbread men, elves, Santas, and other gifts over Christmas, you can watch (or watch again!) here.

Our rescued monkeys and bears, saved from circuses, wildlife traffickers, restaurants, and illegal zoos in Peru, received some special treats too. Watch them receiving these here.

With your help, we are continuing to make a difference for animals. We love to celebrate the victories each year, but we know in this fast-changing world, animals are suffering, tormented and under threat all over the world. Like us, you have chosen to step up and speak for the animals – please keep doing that.

To support our work over the coming months and year, please make a one-time donation, or consider a monthly gift, here: Donate UK £, Euros, Rand | Donate US $, CA $.