After an epic journey, Goliath and Coralie, rescued from a tiny circus cage in France, stepped onto African soil for the first time at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), South Africa. ADIWS veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell gave them their first post-arrival examination, and Coralie received stitches for a cut on her paw. Both lions received vaccinations and vitamins following their journey from France. These majestic lions are now settling into their new home.
For their first period of time with us, they will remain in the 2.5-acre Stephi quarantine habitat, sponsored by Antonia Symes. They will remain here until Dr Caldwell is satisfied quarantine is complete and they have no ailments or disease. For their first night, we kept them in the night house for warmth and comfort, as it is winter in South Africa. Next day, they explored the two 20mx20m feeding camps and outdoor dens, and Goliath roared with the lions nearby. They have especially enjoyed sitting on their new trampoline and experiencing freedom in the land of their ancestors for the first time. They have become increasingly relaxed and interested in exploring, so they have now gone into the rest of the habitat to explore.
Also, just nine days after their arrival, we were thrilled to celebrate Goliath’s 12th birthday! He spent a quiet day with Coralie after an incredible two weeks that saw him fly from Paris to Doha to Johannesburg on a cargo flight donated by Qatar Airways Cargo. We wish him a very happy birthday and many more to come!
You can re-live Goliath and Coralie’s incredible journey from French circus to a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary – with previously unseen footage – on our YouTube page here. Enjoy!
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary is pleased to welcome another new resident – a peacock we named Bob. He was found in an abandoned house, his splendid tail feathers missing. The SPCA asked if we could provide him with a home for life, and of course, we said yes! Bob was very excited when we released him into the feeding camp of Antonia Habitat to join some of our rescued chickens. Matilda the cow and her gang of sheep came running over with much excitement to greet Bob through the fence. We are seeking another peacock or peahen to make a small group, and eventually, they will live among the trees where our new main building will be constructed – we will have a schools education facility, a film theatre, café, and visitor area later this year. Welcome to ADI, Bob!
Four months after his intestinal cancer diagnosis, Muheeb is still defying all the odds and going strong. His zest for life shows in his excitement for new enrichment and his dedicated monitoring of all the human activity and lions roaring around him. Dr. Caldwell checked in on Muheeb again last week and was impressed with his condition, particularly that he had gained weight. Born in the illegal pet trade in Kuwait, Muheeb was kept as a pet for four years. Luckily, his owner came to understand it was wrong to keep him, and surrendered him to Kuwait Zoo, giving Muheeb his magical pathway to a new life at ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. We don’t know how long Muheeb has, but he is looking incredibly well right now and enjoying life.
Sealing the deal, Governor Bob Ferguson signed SB 5065 into law, banning the use of elephants, big cats, primates, bears, and hybrids of these species in traveling acts statewide. Washington is now the seventh US state with such a ban. ADI lobbied for the ban over many years, alongside our local supporters, providing oral and written testimony in support. Our thanks to the bill sponsors and to everyone who helped ensure this legislation passed.
The US Food and Drug Administration has launched their ‘Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies’, a strategy to reduce and replace animal tests with advanced scientific alternatives, called new approach methodologies (NAMs). ADI is pleased to see the FDA take up the scientific problems with animal research and testing that we raise regularly, such as the differences between species and how laboratory conditions compromise results. We have also funded research into advanced, non-animal techniques. The roadmap is a statement of intent, the new policy ending no animal tests immediately but proposing a steady plan to bring in non-animal replacements over time.
During the World Health Assembly, ADI and 100 other groups called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to amend its draft 2025-2034 global traditional medicine strategy to REJECT the use of threatened wild animal species. Our letter called for WHO members to phase out use of threatened wild animal species as ingredients included in their pharmacopoeia standards. It is time for the WHO to ACT to end this driver for illegal and legal wildlife trade.
Last month, the Pima County Fair in Tucson, AZ featured Sea Lion Splash, pig races, and a petting zoo. Animals used in shows which move from place to place suffer extreme confinement in long, arduous journeys shut inside transporters. Intelligent and communicative, these animals are living in permanently stressful, temporary facilities. Marine mammals are confined to trailers with small, portable pools, nothing like the miles of ocean they would normally inhabit. Sea Lion Splash has a record of USDA citations, yet markets sea lions balancing balls, catching rings, and doing handstands as educational.
Please call and/or email Pima County Fair and politely ask them not to use performing animals: (520) 762-9100/ office@pimacountyfair.com
With its CEO stating that its main market in Japan is “unfavourable…and getting worse,” Hvalur Hr will not hunt fin whales in Iceland this season. In December, the Government of Iceland granted the company a 5-year licence to hunt 209 fin whales. A second company, Tjaldtangi ehf, was granted a similar licence to hunt 217 minke whales. Iceland is just one of three countries which issue whaling licences, alongside Norway and Japan. Although a reprieve for fin whales this year, ADI will continue to call on the Icelandic government to bring about a permanent end to the hunting of whales. Take action here.
Captured as a baby in Sri Lanka, this month marks 48 years that Lucy, a 50-year-old Asian elephant, has been confined at the Edmonton Valley Zoo in Canada – a lifetime of loneliness for a member of a species which lives in close-knit family groups, highly intelligent and communicative, keeping in touch with other elephants over huge distances. ADI with Lucy’s Edmonton Advocates Project (LEAP) is calling for the zoo to release Lucy to a sanctuary. However, the zoo still refuses to allow Lucy to live out her days in peace alongside other elephants. If you’d like to raise your voice for Lucy, here’s how you can help:
- Call Edmonton’s Mayor | (780) 496-8100
- Call Edmonton Municipal Office | (780) 442-5311
- Reach out to the Edmonton Zoo Valley Zoo: (780) 442-5311
The Spanish Electoral Board has validated 664,777 signatures on a Popular Legislative Initiative, seeking to eliminate the legal protection afforded to bullfighting on the basis that it is ‘Cultural Heritage.’ Spain’s Congress now has six months to debate the citizens’ petition.
Max, one of the tigers ADI rescued from a circus in Guatemala, recently suffered a seizure. A member of the ADIWS Resident Welfare Team filmed it, and we forwarded the footage to Dr. Caldwell, who immediately prescribed medication. Max got to his feet after the seizure, but his legs buckled, and he fell. His brother, Stripes, came over and nuzzled Max and checked him all over. Max also seemed to find comfort by being near his mother, Lupe, next door. Rescued as a cub, it appears Max may not have escaped the genetic problems caused by inbreeding and early age malnutrition in this family. We will continue to monitor him.
The European Parliament has voted to lower the protected status of wolves under the Habitats Directive. ADI, as part of Eurogroup for Animals, has opposed the downgrading of wolves from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ since plans were tabled in December 2023. The Habitats Directive aims to protect over 1,000 species and their habitats in Europe. Sadly, this backwards move, backed by farmers and hunters, was approved despite the majority of EU citizens believing that wolves have a right to co-exist with humans, and should be strictly protected.
Circuses are touring across the US right now, and ADI evidence has shown how they haul elephants, lions, tigers, and other animals from location to location, on long, arduous journeys of up to 12, 18 hours or more. Once they reach their destination, they may continue to be confined to their transporters, regardless of how long or short the journey itself might be. Once unloaded, they live in small, temporary pens, tethered or chained in parking lots or arenas, If a circus is coming near you, protest, educate, or start a local ban campaign. ADI can provide free posters, leaflets, promotional support, video to present evidence, and fact sheets—email usa@ad-international.org.
Did you know you can fundraise for ADI through fun and creative events like bake sales, arts and crafts markets, rummage sales, and more? Whether you’re selling plants or other goods at a sale or market, every sale and donation can help ADI continue to campaign to protect animals, rescue, and care for animals. So, if you have a knack for knitting, an amazing cookie recipe, or some extra clothes hanging about, put it to good use this summer and fundraise for ADI. Your support enables us to keep saving animals! For more ideas see here.
It’s been great seeing Sasha tiger out exploring her big new habitat. Best of all was the sight of Sasha and Sun greeting each other at the gate with loud chuffs. Sasha and Lupe were also watching and calling each other. Sasha has been alone since she lost her beloved Kumal. Now, there’s a lot of monitoring to do but we are hopeful Sasha can spend time with other tigers again.
Nine years ago, the record-breaking Spirit of Freedom flight took 33 ex-circus lions home to Africa. Years of ADI investigations and campaigns for legislation to end circus suffering and banning animal acts rippling across the world and gathering momentum in Latin America. After emptying every circus cage in Bolivia, ADI enforced bans in Peru and Colombia, with the biggest ever rescue of its kind. Over 100 animals including lions, a tiger, bears, monkeys, birds and others were saved, and after almost two years the lions were heading home. During the complex operation, nine lions were loaded in Colombia, with 24 lions joining them in Peru. As the flight touched down in South Africa, the lions roared. Do you remember the rescue and cheering us on as we crossed the world to bring them Home?
Ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, a horse was euthanized at the track after fracturing both front legs while training. An average of 26 horses die each year at the track. In the UK, a racehorse died after breaking his leg from a horrific fall during a meet at Sandown. To help horses bred to race, do not attend or bet on races and spread the word on social media.
To mark World Day for Laboratory Animals in Colombia, ADI addressed a conference on ‘Animal Research: Relevance, Alternatives, and Regulation’. Staged by the District Institute for Animal Protection, part of the Bogotá Mayor’s Office, the event included presentations from the Ministry of the Environment, the Animal Protection Institute of Bogotá, and ADI. The ban we secured on testing cosmetics on animals included a commitment to replace animal tests with New Alternative Methods (NAMs), so this is a critical time in Colombia for engaging with the government work to eliminate animal tests.
Despite immense public outcry and a motion from the LA City Council to pause the move and explore other options, elephants Billy and Tina were quietly shipped from the Los Angeles Zoo to the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma in the early hours on Tuesday, May 20—under the cover of darkness. This is not transparency, and it is far from a victory. Rather, it is a tragic failure to do right by these elephants after years of suffering. We are heartbroken that the Los Angeles Zoo and Mayor Karen Bass chose to disregard the many voices advocating for Billy and Tina and what was in their physical and psychological best interest – to be moved to a sanctuary. These elephants deserve autonomy, space, and peace. Another zoo cannot offer them that.
On May 18, ADI stood with animal advocates in the US, UK, and Colombia, as part of a global protest and memorial for cats tortured and killed for horrific online videos. This disturbing content is often traced back to underground networks operating in China and other places, and then viewed and shared worldwide. In a similar way to the monkey torture videos, where some arrests and convictions have taken place. Not only should the law in these countries prevent causing suffering for entertainment, the social media giants should be held to account for spreading offensive material.
We’ve launched a new line of shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and tanks in a variety of colors and sizes, in honor of Goliath and Coralie’s arrival at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. You can show your support for them by purchasing commemorative merchandise here.
As always, any donations you can spare for the animals are appreciated.
Jan Creamer 