Animal Defenders International
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Farewell, Bimbi
We are heartbroken that we have lost one of our Guatemala circus survivors, Bimbi. Bimbi succumbed to the results of inbreeding and malnourishment in the circus, with a brain scan showing many lesions from seizures, too extensive to be treatable. Thanks to ADI supporters, Bimbi had two and a half years in ADI’s care and her life was full of fun and freedom.
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Mexico moves towards cosmetics animal testing ban
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies has approved (442 to 1) a bill prohibiting the manufacture, import and sale of cosmetics tested on animals. The bill now returns to the Senate (which approved the main text of the bill in 2020). ADI briefed Deputies in the buildup to the important vote.
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Rescued turtles and tortoises on way to a new life
Nearly 100 turtles and tortoises were seized from illegal animal traffickers in Peru by government staff before being cared for in Lima by UPA and ADI. The first 32 rescued are on their way to Taricaya Ecological Reserve, but almost 60 more animals need to be cared for and relocated.
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Cholita is back in the forest
Rescued Spectacled bear Cholita has returned to her forest home at Taricaya after the flooding prompted emergency evacuation earlier this year. Over 30 years old, Cholita now receives pain relief medication for arthritis. She is monitored by veterinarians and appears to be comfortable and enjoying life.
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Progress on Colombia’s animal protection bill
Colombia’s National Animal Protection Code, Bill 011/2020, was approved in its first debate! If passed, it would be the most comprehensive animal protection standard in Latin America. With more than 250 articles, it seeks to protect domestic and wild animals (native and exotic).
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Tai: End of a sad life
The elephant in the movie Water for Elephants has died “after a brief illness”. An ADI investigation showed how elephants like Tai were trained for movie roles and circus appearances, with video showing them being beaten, electric shocked, and chained by owners Kari and Gary Johnson of Have Trunk Will Travel, California – now The Preserve in Texas.
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Big Cat Public Safety Act introduced in the Senate!
Senate bill S.1210, a companion to House bill H.R.263, seeks to ban private possession and public contact with certain big cats, and restrict their breeding, trade, and exploitation. The Act would directly target backyard breeders and roadside zoos.
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End the cruel bull runs
The famous Pamplona running of the bulls has been cancelled for a second year due to the pandemic according to the mayor. Bulls are tormented by drunken mobs as they run through the streets, and then killed in bullfights. ADI is also campaigning to end bull running in Peru and bullfighting in Colombia.
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Renaissance festival returns with known animal abuser
Scarborough Renaissance Festival returns with elephant and camel rides. Elephant exhibitor Trunks and Humps, previously documented by ADI beating an elephant, is offering the rides through May 31 at the festival in Waxahachie, Texas.
Eat, play, love - Sasha and Kumal’s tale
Tigers Sasha and Kumal were born in a miserable circus cage in Guatemala – no space, no comfort, no fun. They were rescued by ADI and Sasha and Kumal began to play. A happy ending and a reminder that whenever animals like tigers and lions are caged and confined, there’s a wild animal just bursting to get out and come alive again.
Having secured and helped enforce an animal circus ban in Bolivia, ADI returned to Latin America to assist the authorities in Peru and Colombia. Over 100 animals were rescued during Operation Spirit of Freedom. In 2018 ADI launched Operation Liberty in Guatemala, and in November 2019 and January 2020 flew 20 rescued tigers and lions to Big Cat Rescue in Florida and the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.
Exposing what the animal abusers want to keep secret, ADI shines a light on Fur farms... The movie industry... Primates born to suffer... Britain’s last circus elephant... Elephant rides... Circuses in South America... USA... UK and more...
ADI exposes suffering, educates and secures permanent change. Successes include: Circus bans in 46 countries and 96 US jurisdictions... Cosmetics testing ban in Europe... Elephant rides cancelled in California... NASA primate experiments halted... EU monkey test restrictions...