The brothers are back together! When Stripes returned to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary from the hospital last week, his brother Max was clearly pleased to see him again. Stripes had been taken to Old Chapel veterinary clinic after looking unwell. An ultrasound indicated a blockage, so Dr. Peter Caldwell operated on Stripes and removed some material from his stomach. It seems that Stripes had been chewing the conveyor belt material that we use for winter insulation around the sides of the outdoor platforms. Although this has not happened before, insulation for all dens is being replaced with wood and hay bales until we can find a permanent solution. Dr. Caldwell is very happy with Stripes’ progress, and we will continue to monitor him.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) finally shut down its last in-house beagle lab after 40 years of taxpayer-funded cruelty. Thousands of gentle, trusting dogs were force-fed toxins, deliberately infected with disease, and killed. These experiments caused immense suffering and delivered results that can’t be trusted due to species differences. This decision follows years of public pressure and campaigning, and is a significant step toward ending the use of dogs (and other animals) in experiments and adopting advanced technology, biologically relevant to humans.
THANKS to Amsterdam Fashion Week for ditching the use of real fur and exotic animal skins. Partnering with Copenhagen Fashion Week, it will bring in the bans through adoption of sustainability standards in September 2026. Australian Fashion Week has also introduced a policy to no longer use fur, wild animal skins, and feathers. In the UK, a private member’s bill, the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill will ban all imports and sale of fur.
Please ask your MP to support the bill. The UK banned fur farming two decades ago but continues to allow the import of fur and fur products to the UK.
Congratulations to ADI Colombia and partners for a raft of new laws to protect animals in Colombia: increased penalties for those who abuse animals, with a ban on ownership; a ban on confiscating companion animals in litigation (e.g., divorce); and resources to be allocated to care for animal victims of disasters such as landslides and floods. The legal framework for animals in Colombia is expanding!
Sasha Tiger has settled into her new Alexis Habitat at ADIWS. Her former Siddhi Habitat was converted into our new permanent quarantine unit, with its first occupants, Goliath and Coralie, who will move to their forever habitat after quarantine. Sasha is enjoying her new area and house, and is closer to her family – Max, Stripes, Lupe are in talking distance across the road. The next habitat to them is Sun, Moon and Luna, which has a section of fence adjoining Sasha, so they can communicate and rub through the fence. There has been a great deal of happy chuffing (greeting) vocalizations between the family!
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently approved rules for a proposed three-week black bear hunt in December. These brutal hunts will undoubtedly cause terror, pain and suffering, with potential use of cruel methods such as packs of dogs, bows and arrows, and baiting. An overwhelming majority stands in opposition to this hunt, with three quarters of the 13,000 comments submitted to the FWC opposing it. These intelligent, important animals deserve respect and coexistence — not slaughter.
The measure will be voted on again in August for approval. You can email BearComments@MyFWC.com to voice your opposition.
Two horses aged just 2-years-old tragically died following injuries suffered during races at Epsom Downs and Royal Ascot in the UK and a 3-year-old racehorse in the U.S. was euthanized after fracturing his leg during training. Pushed beyond their limits, when racehorses’ bodies give out, they pay with their lives. Horses also suffer in other equestrian so-called ‘sport’, with Australian Olympic rider Heath Ryan joining a growing list of riders caught beating or punching horses or other cruelty. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia after a video emerged showing him whipping a horse 42 times.
Thankfully, there was also some good news. Sacramento’s Cal Expo has officially ended harness racing, bringing over 50 years of horse racing at the venue to a close. Cal Expo cited rising costs and declining participation—further signs of an industry in decline. This marks another important step away from using animals for entertainment. As live racing disappears from Northern California—with no racing planned at Cal Expo, fairs, or Golden Gate Fields in 2025—ADI urges all venues to prioritize humane, animal-free events that reflect evolving public values of compassion and respect for all beings.
Kamea, another orca who spent her entire life in captivity, has died. Born in 2013 at SeaWorld San Antonio, Kamea was just 11 years old and was the youngest orca at the facility. Born into a life of deprivation and confined to a shallow concrete tank when not performing for crowds, Kamea never knew the ocean or the freedom that wild orcas experience. SeaWorld San Antonio still has 4 orcas – the last generation to live at this marine park, as they announced the end of their breeding program in 2016.
Following the joint letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) from ADI and 100 other groups, its draft 2025-2034 global traditional medicine strategy was strengthened, to address a number of concerns raised. Revised during the recent World Health Assembly, sadly it did not end the use of threatened wild animal species as had been urged, so there is still more for WHO to do to tackle the illegal and legal wildlife trade.
Lovebirds Tanya and Tarzan have been spending time together in their heated outdoor den at the Sanctuary, as Tarzan battles severe osteo-arthritis. It’s winter in the southern hemisphere, and July is the coldest month of the year in South Africa. We recently adapted the couple’s favorite sleeping place, installing a raised floor, extra insulation, and a heat pad for extra warmth. We are working to keep Tarzan’s weight up, and he is hand-fed either with tongs, or his food is placed on a raised table to take the pressure off his neck, shoulders, and spine. Dr. Caldwell has been monitoring and adapting Tarzan’s medication and is happy with his progress.
GREAT NEWS: Garden Bros Nuclear Circus has eliminated wild animal acts from their performances, as well as the dogs and snakes used in their “Humans Gone Wild” traveling show. However, they are continuing their pony rides. Ponies are not pets, they are tools for the show, also spending many hours of their day before, during and after transport shut in trailers. We urge Garden Bros Nuclear Circus to adopt a fully animal-free model, aligning with evolving public expectations for ethical entertainment.
Contact Garden Bros circus, thank them for their decision to remove the other animal acts, and politely urge them to end the pony rides and adopt a no-animals policy: fun@gardenbroscircus.com or 941-259-1252
Mexico’s Senate and House of Representatives unanimously approved a reform to the General Wildlife Law to prohibit the use of marine mammals in fixed or traveling shows. This new law includes a ban on captive breeding (except for conservation purposes); a ban on acquiring new marine mammals by dolphinariums; a ban on acrobatic performances and tourist activities involving human contact with dolphins; and a ban on the use of concrete tanks to keep dolphins. This will ensure the number of dolphinariums in Mexico continues to decline and that permits for the opening of new dolphinariums are no longer granted. The initiative is being called the Mincho Law (Ley Mincho) in honor of Mincho the dolphin who recently suffered severe injuries while performing an acrobatic stunt. Dolphinaris Barceló, where Mincho performed, was permanently closed by authorities following an investigation.
Following consultation on a bill to ban hunting wildlife with dogs from John Blair MLA, an end to hunting wild mammals with dogs is important to more than 80% of citizens. A total of more than 12,000 consultation responses were received.
Join the call on Minister Andrew Muir to support the bill.
Coralie & Goliath are loving life at ADIWS, home in the land of their ancestors, they have more space than they have ever known! And it’s just the start. Once they clear quarantine and the new habitat for our rescued cow, sheep and goats is complete, Goliath and Coralie will be moving to a habitat 3 times the size at over 7.5 acres with mature trees. Re-live their incredible journey from French circus to a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary with previously unseen footage from the journey and exploring their new home here.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed adding all seven remaining pangolin species to the Endangered Species Act, which would help crack down on the illegal trade of their meat and scales. Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals, cruelly hunted and smuggled for use in traditional medicine, despite having no proven health benefit. This move would give them vital protection under US law and send a strong message: pangolins are NOT products – and they deserve protection.
Submit a public comment in support of the proposed rule to protect pangolins HERE BEFORE AUGUST 18 DEADLINE.
Online animal cruelty content is an ongoing issue, but it is encouraging that the UK authorities are taking action on this. In recent weeks, a Scottish woman was jailed for more than 2 years for distributing baby monkey torture content. If you see such content, always report it to the social media platform and do not engage with comments, even to express outrage or draw attention to the issue.
The Fight Act of 2025 (HR 3946/ S 1454) will strengthen the Animal Welfare Act by expanding federal protections for roosters and targeting the criminal infrastructure behind animal fighting. The bill prohibits gambling on animal fights—including in-person and broadcast events—bans the interstate transport of roosters or their shipment through the mail, and allows citizen lawsuits to help enforce the law. It also authorizes the seizure of property used in fighting operations. ADI supports this measure to stop cruelty, dismantle trafficking networks, and protect animals from brutal abuse for entertainment and profit.
Please urge your Congress members to support the Fight Act of 2025.
Natural England has authorized supplementary badger culls in nine areas of England. The decision was made despite the agency’s own director of sciences stating for a second year that there is ‘no justification’ for this action. In September, culls will be extended in 10 more areas. The Labour party stood on an election manifesto to ‘end the ineffective badger cull’, but stated last August it would be phased out in 5 years.
Help badgers and call on the Government to stop the cull now.
Finally, we saw another sibling reunion at ADIWS when Tomas returned to the Sanctuary following emergency surgery to correct an intestinal blockage. He was welcomed home by his adoring brother, Kimba, who provided plenty of head bumps and cuddling, while sister Sasha offered support and comfort from her neighboring habitat. I am pleased to report that Tomas is recovering nicely and enjoying all the extra attention he’s receiving from his siblings and his care team at ADIWS.
As always, any donations you can spare for the animals are appreciated.
Jan Creamer 