The past month has been an emotional rollercoaster, as we received news of Muheeb’s cancer diagnosis, but saw him active and playful after arriving home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary from the hospital – his whole attitude is one of a fighter, who is determined to enjoy the best of his new life.

To support the work of the Sanctuary, where animals saved from suffering can enjoy their life as close to nature as possible:
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Muheeb’s cancer is a diffused intestinal lymphoma which has spread along his intestine and there is no potential surgery and no cure. He is not in pain and enjoying a good quality of life and will be monitored by Dr Caldwell, and us, to ensure he remains comfortable for as long as possible, with as many toys, enrichment and treats as he wants. On his arrival back home after his diagnosis, he amazed us all with a huge display of energy and enthusiasm with his orange playball. Dr Caldwell is pleased with his energy and appearance, and he is now on two small meals per day, to maximise the nutrition he can get from each meal. Our thanks for the incredible outpouring of love our supporters have given him, see Muheeb with his ball here.

Give Muheeb and the other cats a special treat:
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GREAT NEWS! SB5065 to prohibit the use of elephants, big cats, non-human primates, and bears in traveling acts in Washington state, has passed the Senate with a clear majority of 30-19 votes! The bill now goes to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. Drew McCormick, ADI Public Policy Specialist, presented evidence in support of the Bill.

If you live in Washington, send a comment to your State Legislators TODAY! Find your Legislators with this easy-to-use form: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5065 Simply fill in your contact details, and click SUPPORT. You can then add a comment to let them know why this is important to you.

In the US, contact your Congress Members and urge them to support the reintroduction of TEAPSPA, to ban traveling animal acts nationwide: bit.ly/SupportTEAPSPA

Los Angeles finally got some much-needed rain to contain the massive fires that swept the area. Our thoughts remain with those impacted by the fires, which ripped through LA County, driven by unusually high winds, displacing wildlife, families, and their pets. As LA begins picking up the pieces, we launched an appeal to provide assistance on the ground and deliver resources to individuals and organizations whose voices are perhaps not heard above the other emergency calls for help. Our LA office will get help to where it is needed most.

Excellent progress has been made on the new system of sewage and grey water recycling management at the Sanctuary. Five new septic tanks are being installed alongside four ‘grey’ water filtration tanks and water storage tanks. Once fully installed, all grey water (from showers, sinks, etc.) will be filtered for use for watering plants, firefighting, washing cars, etc. This preserves our supplies of fresh drinking water for the humans, lions, tigers, and other animals. We have tested the older boreholes on the property for water supplies and will reopen new wells where possible. The Sanctuary has just been through another drought during rainy season, where our lake dried up completely for the first time since we arrived five years ago– fortunately we are getting rain now and the sanctuary is turning green again. Global weather cycles are changing, and the first rains have arrived months later than normal, it will take months for the lake to recover. This, and the horrific fires in Los Angeles have been a shocking reminder of the impact of climate change. Water security will be critical to the Sanctuary’s growth and capacity to save more animals.

In an attempt to counter legislation to end bullfighting and cockfighting, Peruvian Congressman Juan Bartolome Burgos has launched bill 2828/22, declaring these cruel events ‘cultural’. The bill has already been approved in the first debate in the Culture Committee of the Peruvian Congress despite negative reports from the Ministry of Culture, the Bar Association and animal rights activists. Following the law banning bullfighting in Colombia, ADI recently met with activists and congressmen in Peru, to stop the initiative and end the suffering once and for all (pictured: ADI’s Yani Mateus address a meeting in Peru).

To help, please contact the Peruvian Embassy in your country here and urge them to join other countries in promoting protection of animals, and also support the campaign for a #PeruWithoutToreo.

Following approval of amendments by the UK House of Lords in November, hippopotamus, narwhal, killer whale and sperm whale now have greater protection under the UK’s Ivory Act. Also, strengthened penalties mean offenders face up to five years in prison and unlimited fines.

We’ve built a lot of houses for lions and tigers, now we are nearing completion of accommodations for the humans who care for them each day. Work on the final wing of the Tohir Staff Village began last month and is making great progress. Once complete, the complex will house 15 Resident Welfare carers at the heart of ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, on duty 24/7. Thank you to everyone who has helped get us this far.

Five years ago last month, the last circus animals to perform in Guatemala, 17 tigers and lions, arrived at the ADIWS. It had been a volatile, challenging 18-month operation to empty the country’s circuses. Then flight restrictions through several countries meant a two-day journey via Mexico, Belgium, Qatar before finally reaching South Africa – perhaps you were one of those cheering us on and following the live updates at every stop? Little did we know at the time, we were just weeks away from a global pandemic which would have left the animals stranded in Guatemala. Watch the video to re-live one of the greatest animal escapes and enjoy the incredible moments when the lions and tigers stepped out into their new home, to more space than they had ever known.

ADI’s inflatable owl monkey continues traveling Colombia, generating empathy and awareness in schools, fairs, libraries and streets. The friendly 4-meter-tall monkey is highlighting ADI Colombia’s campaign to end the use of animals in laboratories. We recently attended a festival of independent publishers organized by the Fondo de Cultura Económica at the Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center, where we hosted workshops for children and attendees. The message is clear, animal testing is unreliable, unethical and unnecessary.

For decades there were live shows with dolphins and whales at the Antibes facility. The shows were banned in 2021 and the park has finally closed. The 4,000 animals are to be sent to different parks in Europe. France’s Inspector General had determined the best option for Wikie and Keijo, the last orcas in captivity in the country, would be the Whale Sanctuary Project’s Nova Scotia sanctuary. However, in a disturbing development, the Ministry of Ecological Diversity has rejected the application, the attraction Loro Parque in the Canary Islands is now an option.

Tekwe, the smallest of our rescued goats, was treated for ticks by veterinarian Dr Eksteen before quickly rejoining her pals. Tekwe is named after the place from where she was rescued.  A reminder that as well as the lions and tigers, the Sanctuary has many other rescues, and they all need our care.

ADI Colombia joined colleagues in Mexico to support the citizen’s initiative seeking a ban on bullfights in Mexico City. Proposed by our Cultura Sin Tortura and Mexico Sin Toreo (ADI is a member), if the citizen’s initiative is successful, a ban will be debated and a vote held in the Congress of Mexico City.

ADI Colombia, Cultura Sin Tortura and Mexico Sin Toreo have launched a campaign of public support – letters, postcards, lobbying – to persuade the city’s deputies to ban the archaic, cruel and violent bullfights in the city.

Supporters have been asking what President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders mean for animals and the environment. ADI is analysing their potential impact, and at this stage, there does not appear to be any good news, mainly several concerns.

For example, we do not know yet the full implications of EC 14192 ‘Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation’. Regulation is frequently decried as “unnecessary” and presented as bureaucratic over-reach, but regulations are often the only line of protection animals have. They stop hunters from killing wildlife, provide animals in laboratories or on farms with the little protections they have against the worst suffering, or prevent destruction of habitats and dumping waste into the natural world. Deregulation and cuts in departments like the Environmental Protection Agency may have a significant impact.

Four of the Executive Orders look like bad news for the environment and wildlife, with a drive for more fossil fuel production (despite US oil production already hitting a record high under President Biden) – ‘Declaring a National Energy Emergency’, ‘Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential’, ‘Unleashing American Energy’ and ‘Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements’; the last Order removes the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, which heralded a global approach to tackling climate change. Signed by over 190 countries and representing the overwhelming scientific consensus, the Paris Agreement is a rare worldwide initiative to try to protect and preserve our planet. Now, the USA joining Iran, Libya, and Yemen outside of this agreement represents a significant setback in the battle to prevent, or slow, climate change. 

Finally, supporters will also have seen the order “Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws”, which raises the question, do we really need more plastic do dispose of for such a trivial use? And does nobody think the US is capable of manufacturing effective paper (or other alternative) straws?

If you missed our special Valentine’s compilation of the Sanctuary residents having fun with their special treats, sit back and enjoy here.

With your help, we are continuing to make a difference for animals. To support our work you can make a one-time donation, or consider a monthly gift, here:
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Thank you so much for your support.