Animal Defenders International

Animal Defenders International Active worldwide to end animal suffering. Founded World Day for Laboratory Animals in 1979. Founded International Primate Day in 2005.

Education; awareness; investigations; prosecutions; scientific, legal, economic research; animal rescues; funding of non-animal research. http://www.ad-international.org

GOOD NEWS 🐾 Milan Fashion Week has announced an end to promotion of fur at any official MFW-related event or on social m...
19/06/2026

GOOD NEWS 🐾 Milan Fashion Week has announced an end to promotion of fur at any official MFW-related event or on social media, while also calling on brands to go fur-free. Organisers Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiania state in their guidelines it “is committed to not promoting fur” adding that participating brands not “present garments, accessories or anything else with fur”.

Many designers and fashion weeks around the world have now dropped fur.

For decades, millions of animals have suffered and died for an unnecessary fashion item. As more fashion houses, retailers, and fashion weeks move away from fur, the industry is proving that style and compassion can go hand in hand.

ELEPHANT PARADED FOR POLITICS. Paige, an elephant kidnapped from Africa in the 1980s, was used in a stunt at the Convent...
18/06/2026

ELEPHANT PARADED FOR POLITICS. Paige, an elephant kidnapped from Africa in the 1980s, was used in a stunt at the Convention for the Republican Party of Texas in Houston. Videos of Paige at George R. Brown Convention Center have gone viral – she urinated as she walked through the loud crowds, her handler pulling her along and jabbing her with his bullhook. ADI has contacted D’rinda Randall, Chair of the Republican Party of Texas asking that the party commit to ensuring wild animals are not used for entertainment at their events in future – we await a response.

The archaic performing elephant industry has a shocking history of violence and abuse towards the animals to ensure they are compliant during public appearance. Paige is one of three elephants owned by Trunks and Humps, which operates out of the East Texas Elephant Experience. ADI undercover footage has shown Trunks and Humps’s presenter Mike Swain viciously shocking, hooking and beating his elephants.

Our letter to D’Rinda Randall included evidence of the abuse of elephants during training, and concluded: “ADI urges you to consider the physical abuse, psychological pain, and public safety issues inherent to the use of wild animals in traveling acts, especially elephants, the largest land animals on this planet.

“The American people have a huge affection for animals and nature. We do not feel that having a performing elephant at the Convention for the Republican Party of Texas is something that the majority of Republican voters across the country would endorse. Certainly, our experience is that they do not condone the cruelty that has been exposed to date in the performing elephant industry.

“The elephant is the symbol of your party and we feel, and believe your members would agree, deserves respect.”

🐘 Learn more about our No Fun for
Elephants Campaign and watch the video of our undercover investigation: link in the comments

🔔Contact the Republican Party of Texas and ask that they never use performing wild animals at such events.
📩 [email protected]
📞 512-477-9821

18/06/2026

MOVING DAY. Four lions rescued from the illegal trophy pet trade in Kuwait, have moved into their new forever habitats at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Aziza, Saif, Dhubiya and Muheeb were loaded into travel crates and moved across the Sanctuary to the new 2.5-acre Keith’s Happiness Habitat for Muheeb, and the 5-acre Sam & Eric Habitat.

ADI always works on crate familiarization with the animals, so that they do not need to be sedated to be loaded. It is important to build trust, so that they are always confident when we ask them to do something. This is helped by putting travel crates in habitats so that they become enrichment and places to play, a den to snooze in, a platform to jump up and watch the views. In our preparations for a habitat move like this, or a rescue airlift, we also feed the residents in their crates. Fast crating is good for emergencies, too.

Aziza, Saif, Dhubiya and Muheeb were all successfully lured into crates with treats and driven to their new homes where they bounded out and excitedly explored. Muheeb raced over to see new neighbor Smith – and his Kuwait friends are on the other side of his new home. Introductions of the three youngsters have been much slower than we had hoped, in part due to Muheeb’s cancer diagnosis. However, having her own space for a while has enabled Aziza to build up her confidence. She is transformed since arriving at ADIWS two years ago, when she was very nervous and skittish. She has grown confident and sought out the company of Dhubiya and Saif. The process of them sharing the same space will be easier in the new habitat.

These changes have come at a very significant cost, but with our quarantine unit occupied by guests Lei-ah and Elsa, we needed to free up the Kuwait lions’ old habitat for the arrival of lions Ben and Ori from Israel. To move Muheeb, Dhubiya, Saif and Aziza, a new 3-room house has been built in Sam & Eric Habitat and the single feeding camp split into two ($21,609); a new habitat and two room house were built for Muheeb next door ($39,698); and a new two-room house and habitat adaptations made in their old habitat, for the arriving Israel lions, Ben and Ori, ($29,339). This totals over $90,000/£67,000 investment in the Sanctuary, providing homes for these six lions for possibly, the next 20 years. Please help us cover these costs and their lifetime care. Thank you.

NEW ARRIVALS AT ADIWS. Four adorable barn owl chicks have arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. The chi...
18/06/2026

NEW ARRIVALS AT ADIWS. Four adorable barn owl chicks have arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. The chicks fell from their nest down the back of a silo at a local farm, and after several days the parents were nowhere to be seen – it is feared they were shot or poisoned. Brent Bester, ADIWS Wildlife & Education Director, has experience rearing and returning birds to the wild and has taken in the four, as yet unnamed, chicks (suggestions for names in the comments please). They are already eating well and we will be tracking their progress with regular “Owl Watch” videos.
Thank you to all the supporters who have made sure our Sanctuary can help so many different species, other wildlife and domestics, as well as our lions and tigers. Click the donate button if you’d like to help the owls and other birds at ADIWS.

17/06/2026

IS THEIR WAIT NEARING ITS END? In late January, at short notice, ADI took over the rescue of young lions Ben-Tzur and Ori, who had been confiscated from the illegal pet trade in Israel. We flew to Israel to evaluate the lions and their situation and meet with officials. We organized new travel crates and were progressing rapidly towards the relocation when war broke out. While the situation remains unstable, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Last week we were told cargo airlines were considering announcing some flights. Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv is operational, but flights are extremely limited, subject to security restrictions, but repeatedly cancelled because of the conflict. With the news of the Memorandum of Understanding to halt the war, we are crossing everything for peace and for Ben-Tzur and Ori’s wait to be nearing an end.

The boys remain temporarily housed in a zoo which agreed to take them in until a home could be found. They are safe but growing bigger all the time.

We hope to secure a flight from Israel to Germany and from there to South Africa. As feared, costs have escalated. We must raise $40,000 for the journey to cover their flight, accompanied by carers, transport to the airport in Israel, import and export services, permits, ground handling at three airports. This just gets them home to Africa. Then, we must raise the biggest cost of all – construction of their new house, habitat, and lifetime care, food and veterinary costs. Potentially 20 years.

If all goes well, we could be booking within days, and fly in July – but we must be ready to pay for the flight at the first opportunity!

Can you help? Anything raised – the cost of a coffee, or a beer during the World Cup – will help us bring Ben-Tzur and Ori a step closer to a new life.

You can bring them home to sleep under African skies, bask in the sun, watch (and possibly chase) the native wildlife, hear the roars of other lions and learn to join the morning and evening song.

HAPPY WORLD CROCODILE DAY 🐊Crocodilians have lived on earth for nearly 100 million years. These ancient survivors have o...
17/06/2026

HAPPY WORLD CROCODILE DAY 🐊

Crocodilians have lived on earth for nearly 100 million years. These ancient survivors have outlived the dinosaurs and remain vital apex predators, helping to keep ecosystems in balance. Their natural home range covers huge distances, where they are a vital part of the ecosystem, they explore, find interest, interact with their environment, with complex behaviours they have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom.

Threats to crocodilians include intensive farming for their skin for the fashion industry, captivity in zoos and tourist attractions, where their lives and enjoyment of their surroundings are severely restricted, confined in small spaces, lacking interest compared to the wild.

🐊 How we can help:
Never buy exotic skin products and support genuine conservation and sanctuary organisations. Awareness and responsible choices reduce demand and improve conditions.

Let’s respect and protect these remarkable ancient animals.

LOS ANGELES RODEO BAN MUST BE HEARD! Over two years ago, the LA City Council voted unanimously to instruct the City Att...
16/06/2026

LOS ANGELES RODEO BAN MUST BE HEARD! Over two years ago, the LA City Council voted unanimously to instruct the City Attorney to draft an amended ordinance banning rodeos. Since then the ordinance has sat in committee. TOMORROW Councilmember Bob Blumenfield will be holding a press conference to break the deadlock and push for the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee to put the ordinance on the June 23rd agenda to be voted on.

When passed, the ordinance will ban ba****ck bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and team roping in the City. Rodeos using animals are already banned in other Californian cities, including Pasadena, Irvine, Laguna Woods, and Chino Hills. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties have also passed specific bans related to rodeo activities.

BACK THE BAN WITH ADI
Do you live in Los Angeles? Join the rally and press conference to show your support!
🐂 WHERE: Los Angeles City Hall South Lawn, 1st Street Steps, 200 N Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
🐂 WHEN: Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 - Arrive at 8:30am
🐂 Signs and t-shirts will be provided

If you can’t attend, YOU CAN STILL HELP. See link in the comments to leave a public comment in support

MOTHER OF OUR PRIDE. Kiara Cusco (also known as Kiara 1) is the most senior of our ADIWS lionesses at almost 18 years ol...
16/06/2026

MOTHER OF OUR PRIDE. Kiara Cusco (also known as Kiara 1) is the most senior of our ADIWS lionesses at almost 18 years old, the human equivalent of her mid-eighties. What tales she has to tell: touring with a circus in the snow of the Peruvian Andes, having her cubs torn from her, then reunited with them by ADI, flying across the world to a new life in South Africa, and enjoying her golden years in the lush land of her ancestors, with her family.

Animals like Kiara, who have endured so much abuse, cannot be returned to the wild, but ADI works hard to give them a life as close to what nature intended. This is a lifetime commitment by ADI, Kiara has been in our care for 12 years, and you can help by getting your friends and family involved with a Facebook Fundraiser.

It’s fast, easy, and it helps ADI rescue and care for animals like Kiara. Why not use your birthday to make a difference for the animals? Get started with your Facebook fundraiser here: https://www.facebook.com/fund/AnimalDefenders/

📢 THE DEFRA TRAIL HUNTING CONSULTATION CLOSES ON 18 JUNEThis is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to help end trail hunting — a smokescre...
16/06/2026

📢 THE DEFRA TRAIL HUNTING CONSULTATION CLOSES ON 18 JUNE

This is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to help end trail hunting — a smokescreen allowing the continued hunting of wild animals despite the Hunting Act.

Recently, ADI joined Chris Packham and others in Westminster to call for an end to this cruel practice. Now it’s time for the public to be heard.

Please submit your response before the deadline. Every voice counts. Find guidance and take part here: https://bit.ly/trail-hunting

MINNIE MUST MOVE. Commerford Zoo’s last surviving elephant, Minnie, remains alone and in a small, concrete enclosure in ...
15/06/2026

MINNIE MUST MOVE. Commerford Zoo’s last surviving elephant, Minnie, remains alone and in a small, concrete enclosure in Connecticut that cannot meet her physical or psychological needs. Her companions, elephants Beulah and Karen, died several years ago after decades being used for circus performances, photo opportunities, and rides.

Beulah and Karen never experienced freedom, but it does not have to be too late for Minnie to go to one of the US elephant sanctuaries where she could have companionship, space, and a sense of freedom.

SPEAK UP FOR MINNIE. Urge Commerford Zoo to retire her to sanctuary.
📩 [email protected]
📞 860-491-3421

If you live in CT, you can also contact your state legislators and urge them to introduce a bill to prohibit the use of wild animals in traveling acts. Link to find your legislators in the comments.

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