It has been a busy start to 2026 with the emergency relocation to ADIWS of two white lions from a South African sanctuary hit by a wildfire, ex-circus lions Coralie and Goliath moved into their forever home, and major campaigns for animals in the UK, US, Peru and Colombia. Here’s a few of the highlights.

On 8^th January, a devastating wildfire ripped through Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa’s Western Cape. True sanctuaries across South Africa scrambled to take in the animals and ADI flew a team to assist.  Two white lions Elsa and Lei-ah were evacuated on a 15+ hour journey to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS). After arriving shaken from the trauma of the fire, the lions have since settled in and are now very relaxed. Last week it was time for the girls to explore their main habitat, and we were delighted to be joined by founder Lizaene and Taryn, one of the carers, from Panthera Africa. The lions have a house, feeding camp and a 2.5 acre habitat and will be guests at ADIWS for as long as it takes for Panthera to rebuild. We had to act fast to evacuate these animals, so are especially grateful to the wonderful ADI supporters who then stepped up to help cover the costs of these two unexpected VIP guests. We do not as yet have any estimates on how long the lions will be with us.

ADI has also been working intensely to take over the relocation of two lion cubs from Israel, who had been destined for Panthera Africa until the devastating fire happened. This is another huge addition to our plans, and we will need to start raising funds quickly. This is moving very quickly and we will be providing a full update in the coming days.  

UK Government’s animal welfare strategy sets targets which aims to ban trail hunting in England and Wales, phase out colony cages for laying hens, ban CO2 stunning in pigs, ban snares, ban the boiling alive of crustaceans like lobsters and crabs, and more by 2030. The decision on lobsters is based on scientific evidence confirming that such animals are sentient and feel pain. Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand have already introduced similar bans.

It is important for supporters in the UK to write to their MPs saying that you support the proposals and urge that they be moved forwards as quickly as possible to ensure that some of the target must be hit before the next general election. We anticipate consultations on these issues and it will be vital for supporters to participate and speak up for the animals – watch out for ADI updates.  Find out more.

Our huge inflatable owl monkey Musmuqui continues to tour drawing attention to malaria experiments on small nocturnal monkeys. ADI undercover investigators exposed shocking scenes of trapping gangs catching monkeys in the forest and inside Colombia’s animal labs. The recent appearances of Musmuqui have included a three-day music festival and various schools in Colombia.

Kiara Piura (Kiara2) eye surgery: For a long time, we have been aware that at some stage the cataract in Kiara’s eye would become inflamed and require removal.  Just before Christmas, there was rapid deterioration, and Dr Peter Caldwell and his team stepped in to perform the surgery and keep Kiara under observation during the holiday period. Brother Rolex and sister Africa were delighted to see her return to the Sanctuary for the new year.  Kiara had already adapted to severely restricted vision in one eye, and has adapted following the surgery with ease, leaping onto her platforms or crates – she is pictured above this week enjoying a snooze with sister Africa.

Beagle breeder Ridglan Farms will surrender its state license on July 1 this year, ending the sale of dogs to labs. The Dane County facility, long criticized for regulatory violations, will however, continue to breed dogs for its own research under USDA licensing.

The UK Parliament debates fireworks: This month MPs debated two petitions aimed at restricting the sale of fireworks to council approved events and reducing the noise limit from 120 to 90 decibels. The petitions, with almost 400,000 signatures combined, reflect the rising concern about the increasing domestic use of very loud, bright fireworks. The discussion covered terror induced in companion animals, livestock and wildlife, as well as human injuries, anti-social behaviour and effects on veterans. Not a single MP was against increasing restrictions but despite this, the debate concluded without any tangible timeline or plan of action from the Government.   

The International Candlelight Vigil for Elephants took place on January 10, backed by ADI and 30 other groups. Most of the elephants seen in zoos or circuses over the years have been born in the wild and spent decades in captivity. Candles were lit to remember these social, gentle, intelligent animals who lost their freedom to entertain people, and passed away in captivity last year.

In the US, please continue to speak up and fight for all those who are still confined and abused in the name of entertainment and contact your Congress members in support of the reintroduction of TEAPSPA, to end elephant and other wild animal circus acts nationwide.

Horse-drawn carriages for tourists have been banned in Peru’s capital. The Superior Court of Justice accepted that horses are mistreated and a lack of oversight by municipal authorities, and so revoked all permits for “tourist” horse-drawn carriage rides. The court reviewed evidence of how horses are injured, suffer stress and respiratory problems working in noisy and heavily polluted areas of the city, crowded with cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles. This could be an important precedent, because the court established that as animals are constitutionally protected sentient beings, the standard of protection cannot be reactive but must be preventive and protect animals from harm.

Report reveals lab suffering and incompetence: The UK’s Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) annual report reveals suffering and death in UK labs: regulated procedures performed on pregnant mice due to misidentifying sexes; multiple cases of mice mothers being removed from their new born  too soon resulting in the deaths of pups; a system fault led to fish dying from chlorine exposure; dozens of mice killed by staff without proper euthanasia training; many animals accidentally left without food and/or water for up to 5 days; multiple live animals mistakenly put in waste bins. None of these cases received more than a letter of reprimand.

French Government confirms relocation of orcas: Mother and son Wikie and Keijo will be going to a coastal sanctuary off Canada. Both were born in captivity and have their lived entire lives in small concrete tanks in a marine park in the south of France that closed last year. The relocation is tentatively set for this summer when construction is complete.

In the US, please urge your Congress members (directory below TEAPSPA graphic) to reintroduce the SWIMS (Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings) Act to ban the taking and breeding of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales for public display. It would also ban the importation and exportation of these marine animals, with exemptions for transportation to sanctuaries and the wild.

Rescued French circus lions move into new habitat at ADIWS: In preparation for the arrival of Lei-ah and Elsa, Goliath and Coralie were moved out of the Stephi quarantine unit into their forever home. The 3.7-acre Augie habitat is where Tarzan and Tanya spent so many happy years and so it feels appropriate that this loving couple are moving in and keeping their spirit alive. Don’t miss the beautiful video of Goliath and Coralie exploring their new home here.

Thank you for your support that makes the work featured here possible. To help us continue with our campaigns and rescue work: Donate US $, CA $ | Donate £, Euros, Rand