AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection

Startpagina
Nederland
Almere
AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection

Let's end their suffering.

AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection is a European animal welfare organization dedicated to the welfare of captive exotic animals such as primates, lions and tigers.

17/06/2026

Did you know that there is no federal legislation in Germany prohibiting people from keeping wild mammals as pets? 💔

The result is a life of suffering in captivity for many wild animals.

Barbary macaques Xarly and Filix were two such cases: a highly sociable species living with humans in conditions unsuited to their needs. Fortunately, their owner realised that their needs cannot be met in a domestic environment and contacted us.

Now, Xarly and Filix are living in AAP’s rescue centre in Spain, where they will go through a quarantine period before being introduced to our outdoor facilities and joining others of their kind.

This is exactly why we are calling on the to introduce an EU-wide Positive List: a standard framework defining which animals can be legally kept as pets that will cut demand for exotic species.

Sign our petition for an EU-wide Positive List to prevent more animals like Xarly and Filix from suffering in a life that is not meant for them (link in bio)

15/06/2026

A special moment for young chimpanzee Giggi! Recently, he was able to explore his outdoor enclosure for the first time – and this big moment has been caught on camera.

Giggi was kept illegally as a pet in Italy. He was chained and lived without any companions of his own kind. In recent weeks, we at AAP have been working intensively on his recovery.

Because Giggi is estimated to be only three and a half years old, he still needs a lot of attention and guidance. Ultimately, he must learn to truly be a “chimpanzee,” so that in the future he can live together with others of his species. We are confident that this will succeed!

14/06/2026

White tiger Sona is continuing his recovery after spending his entire life in a circus in Portugal. He is making excellent progress, and one of his keepers recently managed to capture this lovely photo of him enjoying the pool in his outdoor enclosure . What’s more, his limp is gradually improving. We are very proud of his progress!

Pedro Valente – Big Cat Keeper, AAP Spain

12/06/2026

Serval Whisper was bought as a young animal via an online marketplace in the Netherlands. But as she grew up, it became clear that a living room and a small kennel outside are not suitable places for a wild animal like this.

Fortunately, her owner contacted us, and we were able to take Whisper to our rescue centre. She is now getting a fresh start: after quarantine, she will gradually be introduced to others of her kind. 💚

We cannot stress this enough: servals should not be kept in people's own homes. They need a lot of space and can cause serious injuries with their sharp teeth and claws.

This is why we need an EU-wide Positive List defining which species are allowed to be kept as pets. If a species isn’t on the list, it cannot be bought, bred, or kept as a pet.

31/05/2026

Latest update on the rehabilitation of Sona, the tiger rescued from a circus. In this lovely footage, captured by the surveillance camera in his outdoor enclosure, we can see him starting to work on his muscles! 💪

At AAP, his carers provide environmental enrichment to encourage him to move, so he can start building the muscle he needs, particularly in his hind legs. Sona is doing very well, and we’re delighted with his progress!

28/05/2026

: Good news for the protection of animals! The Enterprise Court of Appeal (CBb) today ruled against a challenge to the Dutch Positive List. This critical tool for ensuring animal and human welfare has been declared lawful and will remain in force within the Netherlands.

The Dutch Positive List uses scientifically substantiated criteria to specify which mammal species may be kept as pets in the Netherlands. Cats and dogs? On the list. Servals and sugar gliders? Absolutely not.

Today’s ruling is an important step, providing clarity and a pathway for expanding this approach to cover other animal groups, including reptiles and birds. We are extremely pleased that the methodology developed to create the list remains in force. We also welcome the ruling as a clear signal to the that it is time to move forward with an EU-wide .

18/05/2026

On 17 May, 2026, an escaped tiger believed to belong to Germany’s “Tiger Queen” Carmen Zander was shot dead by police near Leipzig after attacking one of its keepers. Nine other tigers remain at the facility and must now be secured and moved to species-appropriate housing as soon as possible.

Back in September 2024, AAP offered to take in Carmen Zander’s tigers. We are still ready and willing to bring these animals to safety and give them a future worthy of their dignity.

This story is a tragic reminder of why we need stronger regulations around the private keeping of wild animals. That’s why we’re calling for an EU-wide Positive List that clearly defines which species may be kept as pets, helping to prevent more cases like this one.

🔗 Sign our petition via en.aap.eu/eu-petition

13/05/2026

The moment that 13 Barbary macaques regained their freedom and began their new lives in Morocco’s beautiful Tazekka National Park has been caught on camera! 🎥

The second group of Barbary macaques from the Born to be Wild Project consists of adult and infant macaques. During this pivotal moment, we see them emerge from their enclosure and beginning to explore the world around them.

Born to be Wild is a unique conservation project that returns Barbary macaques rescued from poaching and illegal trafficking to their natural habitat. We are grateful to the organisations that make this possible: Agence Nationale des Eaux et Forêts - Maroc (Moroccan National Water and Forestry Agency); Liverpool John Moores University ; Université de Rennes ; Postcode Loterij. And we are especially grateful to the monitoring team, the park’s eco-rangers and the team at the rehabilitation and resocialisation centre. Without them, this great project would not have become a reality.

12/05/2026

Today, in a very special moment for AAP, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands officially opened the new mammal building at our rescue centre in Almere! 👑

During the royal visit, the Queen toured the building, spoke with AAP staff members, and listened to the moving stories behind the animals currently in our care. The new mammal building is a much-needed addition to our rescue centre. AAP’s small mammals were previously housed in an old greenhouse, but it no longer met our standards after 30 years of use.

With this sustainable, future-proof building, we are now taking a huge step forward. Thanks to a smart climate control system and bespoke enclosures, we can offer these animals even better care. In fact, the first animals have already moved into the new building, and many more will follow soon.

In 2016 it was Queen Sofía of Spain who opened our Big Cats facility in Alicante – and today we were proud to again welcome royalty. We are grateful to Queen Máxima for joining us on this momentous occasion.

Together we are building a better future for endangered animals, now and in the years to come.

10/05/2026

🐅 After spending his entire life in the circus, white tiger Sona is now venturing outside for the first time – experiencing the feeling of grass under his paws. At 16 years old, Sona was the last tiger to be kept by a circus in Portugal. He was rescued and brought to AAP’s centre in Spain, where he was initially kept in quarantine.

But now the gate to his outside enclosure is open – and we are so excited to see him start to explore!

During his first few hours outside, his activity was limited, and his limp and lack of muscle tone were evident. He also has sores on his paw pads, particularly on his left hind leg. Access to natural terrain will aid his recovery and healing. We will continue to respect his pace and closely monitor his progress throughout this rehabilitation process.

Adres

Kemphaanpad 1
Almere
1358AC

Telefoon

+31365238787

Website

https://en.aap.eu/

Meldingen

Wees de eerste die het weet en laat ons u een e-mail sturen wanneer AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection nieuws en promoties plaatst. Uw e-mailadres wordt niet voor andere doeleinden gebruikt en u kunt zich op elk gewenst moment afmelden.