It is with great sadness to announce our dear Tarzan has passed away, a month after his beloved Tanya. The two lions, rescued by ADI from a circus in Guatemala seven years ago, had been inseparable and their devotion to each other won the hearts of people all over the world. They became known as the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary Sweethearts.

Our annual ADI Art Auction helps support the care of our rescued animals at ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa AND provides the opportunity for you to bid on one or more of the incredible pieces of animal themed artwork donated by the artists. We hope you will join the auction and place YOUR bid!

ADI founded International Primate Day on September 1, 2005, to highlight the suffering of primates. Our campaign has had some major breakthroughs since then including ending the use of chimpanzees and wild-caught monkeys in EU and UK laboratories, airport awareness drives in Peru discouraging people from purchasing primates and trafficked animals as pets, and the rescue, rehoming, and return to the wild or sanctuary for dozens of monkeys rescued from circuses, laboratories, restaurants and traffickers. There is still much to do as primates continue to suffer but with your help we are turning the tide.

This International Primate Day, we are asking for your support to end the use of primates as pets around the world.

At Animal Defenders International (ADI), we are deeply grateful for your generous support as we fight to end animal suffering worldwide. Your compassion has fueled our work, from our ground-breaking Stop Circus Suffering campaign to abolish the use of animals in circuses – which has led to bans in over 50 countries – to our ongoing investigations and work to end animal testing and replacement with advanced technology, stop fur farming, ban trophy hunting, save wild animals from the illegal pet trade, and so much more.

I am heartbroken to announce that our dear Tanya, Tarzan’s lifetime companion and protector, has passed away. Tanya was 15-16 years old and rescued from a circus in Guatemala with her lifelong love, Tarzan.

International Tiger Day is July 29. As it approaches, I have been thinking about the wonderful, brave ex-circus tigers that now roam acres of wild, natural space at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa.

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 summer holidays are here and for many, that will be a chance to enjoy nature and wildlife at home and abroad. There are plenty of ethical options, supporting wildlife and nature preserves in different countries, helping wildlife rescue and, from next year, we will welcome our first visitors to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. This will educate children about animals and the environment and also help care for our rescued animals – watch for our news!

Sadly, there are also plenty of unethical options to be avoided.