We urge global star Liz Hurley not to ride elephants

Liz shared a picture of her riding an elephant during the shooting of a new film in South Africa. Celebrities must set a better example

One of the world’s cruellest forms of wildlife entertainment

Elephant riding is on our list of the world’s cruellest forms of wildlife entertainment. So we were disappointed to see that the British actress and model Liz Hurley, had tweeted the recent image.

It may not be known to Liz and many tourists who genuinely care about animals, that over 500,000 wild animals suffer in the name of entertainment at tourist attractions every day.

Our animation shows the reality behind elephant riding.

Endless suffering

Behind the scenes, elephants experience endless suffering as most of them are kept at venues with severely inadequate welfare conditions, to provide elephant rides and shows for tourists.

This life of captivity begins with severe trauma, with young elephants separated from their mothers before suffering a harsh training process to break their spirits. This makes them submissive enough to perform tricks and give rides to tourists.

When not giving rides or performing, most of the elephants are chained up day and night.

Moving the world to protect animals

To help bring an end to this cruelty, we provide travel tips for tourists, so they can avoid cruel __animal attractions. We also work with travel companies globally, urging them to stop sending customers to cruel wildlife entertainment venues.

This campaign work has seen huge success in moving the world to protect animals. Globally, 166 travel companies including TripAdvisor, Contiki, Kuoni Travel UK and Jetair have committed to no longer offer visits to venues with elephant rides and shows in any of their markets.

Despite this, there are still several companies yet to commit to ending elephant rides and other cruel elephant entertainment, including Virgin, Audley Travel, Trailfinders and The Ultimate Travel Company in the UK.

‘Never acceptable to ride an elephant’

Kate Nustedt, our global wildlife director, said: “It’s never acceptable to ride an elephant. All elephants used for entertainment suffer a cruel and intensive breaking-in process so they will be submissive enough to give people rides. Their suffering continues throughout their lives in these cruel elephant camps. They are held captive in chains, beaten with metal bull hooks, and unable to form natural social bonds.

“There are lots of opportunities for Liz Hurley to see elephants in the wild in South Africa. Now she knows about cruelties of riding an elephant let’s hope she shows compassion and sets a positive example in the future.”

Learn more about Wildlife. Not Entertainers here.

“There are lots of opportunities for Liz Hurley to see elephants in the wild in South Africa. Now she knows about cruelties of riding an elephant let’s hope she shows compassion and sets a positive example in the future.” Kate Nustedt, our global wildlife director

Further reading

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Animals in entertainment

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Animals in entertainment

Rare leaf-nosed bats sighted after 37 yrs

3 tiger cubs destined for zoo in Syria rescued in Lebanon

Highlights

• A Lebanese animal rights group rescued the Tigers who were trapped in an unmarked, maggot-infested crate in Beirut's airport for almost a week.
• The Tigers could not stand or move and were forced to urinate and defecate on each other, according to Animals Lebanon.

A Siberian tiger destined for a zoo in war-torn Syria, and rescued by Animals Lebanon sits inside a cage, in A... Read More

Leopard rescued from 60-feet-deep well in Madhya Pradesh

Representative image

New birds species discovered in Nepal

An autumn passage migrant bird species Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Monticola saxitilis) was first seen and phot... Read More

Madhya Pradesh tigress ‘Queen of Pench’ delivers 4 more cubs... 26 so far

Highlights

• The tigress is fondly called 'Collarwali' by the visitors to Pench Tiger Reserve because of her radio collar
• This tigress has so far given birth to total 26 tiger cubs
• The latest bunch of 4 cubs were spotted by patrolling squad a few weeks ago

Because of her radio collar, visitors to Pench Tiger Reserve fondly call ther 'Collarwali'. (TOI photo)

Ohio zoo euthanizes 29-year-old polar bear that had cancer

File photograph of Nanuq

Wild chimps have long life spans: Study

File photo

Bhitarkanika National Park closed for crocodiles breeding

Six tigers to be relocated in Buxa Tiger Reserve

Conservationists go wild over Gujarat Tourism ad on endangered ass

Little Rann of Kutch

Giant panda Bao Bao to depart for China from Washington

Highlights

• Bao Bao will be departing for China on February 21 from the Washington's Smithsonian's National Zoo.
• One keeper and one veterinarian will accompany Bao Bao to Chengdu.
• Bao Bao will travel with a supply of her favourite treats, including bamboo, apples, pears and water.

Panda cub Bao Bao hangs from a tree in her habitat at the National Zoo in Washington. (AP File Photo)

A feast for tigers and wildlife buffs

Ken-Betwa link gets forest panel’s nod but with reservations

Ken-Betwa river link project is likely to submerge more than 6000 ha of forest land including prime tiger habitat.

World's last male white rhino getting help from Tinder dating app

Highlights

• The northern white rhino is now on the Tinder dating app as wildlife experts try to keep his species alive
• I don't mean to be too forward, but the fate of the species literally depends on me, his profile says

File photo of the northern white rhino

Rabbit set to be world's biggest dies on United Airlines flight

United Airlines terminal viewed at Newark Liberty Airport in Newark

2 lakh baby Olive Ridley turtles emerge in Odisha beach

File photo of Olive Ridley turtles

Open for consultation: guidance to reduce marine litter and protect animals

Lost or abandoned fishing gear, or ‘ghost gear’, kills hundreds of thousands of marine animals annually. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) invites the public and industry to feed back on its new guidance to protect animals from this most harmful form of marine litter

The Global Ghost Gear Initiative recently developed the Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear (BPF).

The BPF is a set of guidelines specifically tailored to the seafood industry, empowering fishers, seafood companies, retailers, gear manufacturers, policy makers and others, to address practically, the issue of lost and abandoned fishing gear.

More than 40 GGGI participants from across the industry helped develop the BPF. It is the first framework of its kind to provide practical advice to help reduce fishing gear loss and mitigate its impact if it is lost.

Feasibility key for success

We established the GGGI in 2015, it is the first initiative dedicated to tackling the problem of ghost fishing gear at a global scale.

We’re pleased to now offer seafood industry stakeholders an opportunity to give input into a framework of this scale and detail.

Our goal is to make these guidelines as feasible and practical as possible. We want to hear from key industry stakeholders, who we hope will soon adopt the BPF as part of sustainable sourcing policies.

When implemented, the framework will help stop fishing gear becoming ocean waste, and prevent the injury and death of entangled marine wildlife. It will also help end additional expense and hazards for fishermen and marine communities, currently posed by lost gear. When nets are lost, they need to be replaced, incurring additional cost. Lost gear can also get caught in active equipment and damage it, as well as becoming entangled in boat propellers.

A warm reception for sea change

The benefits the Best Practice Framework can offer have already been recognised.

Guy Dean, vice president at Albion Fisheries Ltd. - a GGGI partner - said: “This is a big step towards implementing more sustainable fishing practices globally.

“Ghost gear is a very real impediment to sustainable seafood. Until now, a comprehensive approach to combatting ghost gear with recommendations for all fishery stakeholders was lacking. The best practice framework provides just that. We’re now looking for feedback on the framework so we can adopt elements of these best practices into our business activities.”

No stone unturned

No stone is left unturned. Whether you are a gear manufacturer, fisher, port operator, NGO or seafood business, the framework provides guidance for good management practices including:

• vessel storage
• gear deployment
• the proper disposal for ‘end-of-life gear’.

The guidance in the framework is based on the strongest available evidence and a series of best-practice case studies underway in different parts of the globe.

All parts of the seafood supply chain have a role to play to lessen the amount of lost gear and its detrimental impact on fish stocks, the marine ecosystem and marine animals that can become entangled.

How to feed back

You can feed back on the Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear via a quick and easy online survey.

We will also soon offer a chance to provide verbal feedback through a series of webinars.

“This is a big step towards implementing more sustainable fishing practices globally” - Guy Dean, vice president at Albion Fisheries Ltd.

Further reading

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Sea change campaign

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Protecting animals in the face of a changing climate

To mark Earth Day (April 22), we hear from one of our experts about how we’re protecting animals from natural disasters

Climate change is real and its effects are here among us.

And with the climate changing, so is the frequency and intensity of disasters.

Floods, prolonged-droughts and super storms are increasingly common. They have a huge impact on animals, resulting in millions of deaths, year in and year out.

Using education to reduce __animal mortality

The theme of Earth Day 2017 is environmental and climate literacy.

It states that ‘education is the foundation for progress’ and highlights 'the need to empower everyone with the knowledge to inspire action in defence of environmental protection.’

In the context of natural disasters, education means the difference between life and death. It means preventing endless, unnecessary suffering for millions of animals around the world.

Not just one day

On this Earth Day and all year round, we work tirelessly to protect animals and communities through preparedness and education before disasters strike, as well as through emergency aid. This is as urgent as it gets: no one is safe.

We support farmers and pet owners to improve preparedness and reduce vulnerability. This helps protect both animals and the communities who depend on them. We also lobby governments so animals receive protection in disaster plans.

Gerardo Huertas, our international director of disaster management, tells us more:

Q. What are you doing to protect animals faced with worsening disasters?

Currently, World __animal Protection can deploy four to six teams of vets and disaster experts into the field for each disaster.

We are constantly recruiting and training disaster liaison officers in many vulnerable countries around the world, to speed-up and enhance our ability to help animals and communities.

Our target by 2020 is to have helped five million animals affected by disasters around the world.

We’re working with the United Nations to teach governments how to protect farm and working animals from disasters. 

We also promote a culture of preparedness among pet owners.

Filipino residents carry a dog through floodwater. Climate change is melting polar ice caps and causing sea levels to rise globally. Floods and storm surges are threatening coastal communities around the world.

Q. A study from 2015 found that half of disasters looked at were linked to climate change. How might climate change affect disasters, and ultimately animals?

As climate changes, all previous trends, patterns and knowledge go down the drain.

A year or two ago, weather scientists indicated that hurricanes in the Caribbean, for example, were going to happen less often, but be larger in power and hence, more dangerous. There is little folks and governments can do in the wake of giant, monstrous hurricanes, but there is a lot that can be done if they start early.

Droughts affect people and their animals by the millions, and leave scars that can last decades.

The new culture of risk reduction we champion is vital here. The adage that prevention is better than cure is hugely relevant. The more we can educate animal owners to prepare to protect their animals in advance, the more animals we can help.

Horses in Mongolia look for food under the snow. Mongolia is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Increased droughts in summer followed by colder and snowier winters threaten millions of animals and the traditional nomadic herder way of life.

Q. Are animals made more vulnerable by changes in the strength or frequency of natural disasters? 

By all means. Other factors compounding this are living or working in exposed locations, such as in the path of floods, in arid conditions or near volcanoes. Inhabiting shaky barns and suffering poor infrastructure is another factor causing vulnerability. But these vulnerabilities worsen with each event, and the lack of preparedness by some animal owners, and poor governmental ability to provide effective and immediate relief, makes things much worse.

Q. What can animal owners do to protect their animals?

We encourage animals owners to sit down and write a plan. I can’t emphasise the importance of this step enough.

Animal owners are uniquely-placed to identify the specific risks around their own animals, and work to mitigate them the moment they occur.

Animals have similar needs to their owners but they cannot take matters into their own hands when emergencies descend. They need to stay away from danger, an evacuation plan, a veterinary first aid kit, water and food provisions.

Vaccination records must also be kept updated. Animals also need to be properly identified in case they are separated from their owners. 

You can find out more about how we support animal owners to plan ahead and protect their animals here. We fully encourage preparedness. There is no time to lose.

Find out more about our work protecting animals from the impacts of disasters. 

Further reading

Tide keeps turning, as major travel company halts ti...

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"On this Earth Day and all year round, we work tirelessly to protect animals and communities through preparedness and education before disasters strike, as well as through emergency aid" - Gerardo Huertas, our international director of disaster management

South Korea takes steps to end cruel bear bile industry, following our campaigning with local partners

Countries that keep captive bears for traditional medicine must follow this positive example to end the captive breeding of bears for their bile

South Korea has taken landmark steps forward in ending its bear bile industry, with the completion of a government-funded programme to sterilise all captive bears used for bile.

The sterilisation programme follows 14 years of campaigning efforts in collaboration with our local partner Green Korea United (GKU), and in consultation with the South Korean Government and bear owners.

The programme will prevent any new bears from entering the industry, with the bears in the industry today the last to suffer for their bile.

Changing attitudes to protect animals

Many South Koreans have supported our lobbying for better protection for bears.

A landmark agreement was signed between the Government of South Korea and the Bear Farmers Association of South Korea in 2014, offering a voluntary exit plan for bears farmers. The recently completed sterilisation programme is actively encouraging bear farmers to stop the breeding of new bears for the industry.

‘A significant victory for wildlife’

Gilbert Sape, our head of campaign for bears and traditional medicine, said: “This is a significant victory for wildlife. It sends out a clear message that it is unacceptable for governments to continue to support industries that profit from the suffering and exploitation of animals.  

“South Korea’s example lays down the gauntlet to other countries in Asia, and particularly to China. There is no excuse to continue to support this industry, especially when there are humane alternatives readily available.”

A clear pathway for others

In Asia, more than 20,000 bears are forced to suffer in captivity for their gallbladders and bile, which is used in a variety of products, but primarily for the traditional medicine market. China is by far the largest producer and consumer of bear bile.

An Asiatic black bear caged at a bear bile farm in South Korea

Our new white paper, Ending bear bile farming in South Korea, created in partnership with GKU, sets out a clear pathway for other governments to end the bear bile industry.

In South Korea, the completion of the sterilisation programme marks the beginning of the end of the industry.

MP Jeong-Mi Lee of the Justice Party of South Korea said: "The completion of the sterilisation programme for farmed bears is a crucial milestone to reinforce __animal welfare in South Korea. It will become a catalyst to effectively resolve other __animal issues.”

Jeseon Bae, director of the Ecosystem Conservation Team, of Green Korea United, added: “We must ensure the outcomes of the sterilisation programme progress are monitored and enforced, and the outcome of no new bears entering the industry is strictly adhered to.”

We are committed to ending the needless suffering of bears, and have been working to protect bears for over twenty years; bringing an end to some of the worst cases of their exploitation globally.  

We will continue to lobby for change until bears are no longer forced to suffer in captivity for their bile, but remain in the wild, where they belong.

"There is no excuse to continue to support this industry, especially when there are humane alternatives readily available,” Gilbert Sape, head of campaign for bears and traditional medicine

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Tide keeps turning, as major travel company halts ticket sales to 16 cruel animal venues

Thomas Cook has dropped a host of cruel, captive __animal attractions

British company Thomas Cook has announced it will join a raft of trailblazing travel firms who have stopped selling tickets to some of the world’s cruellest wildlife activities.

This move will protect hundreds of dolphins, elephants and other wild animals from exploitation in the name of entertaining tourists.

Joining the movement

The decision comes over a year after we first called upon Thomas Cook Group to stop selling tickets to cruel elephant rides at venues in Thailand, India and Zimbabwe.

We presented the company with a 174,000 signature-strong petition, showing just how many people wanted to see wild animals protected from horrific abuse in the tourism industry.

Following our petition, in January 2016, Thomas Cook announced it would stop selling and promoting elephant rides. It also carried out an audit on its entire range of wildlife experiences.

The round of 16 venues that will no longer be promoted by Thomas Cook is the latest win for animals.

The attractions affected include:

• 11 involving dolphins, including Sealanya in Turkey and Ocean World in the Dominican Republic, which subjects Japanese dolphins to invasive interactions with tourists
• other captive __animal venues including Baan Chang Elephant Park in Thailand, Asia Safari and Elephant Village in Khao Lak

Tourists riding elephants at an attraction in Thailand

Kate Nustedt, our wildlife director, said:

"The tide is turning as more and more companies stop selling tickets to cruel wildlife venues. Thomas Cook’s decision is fantastic news for the animals that have suffered and a clear sign to the industry that wildlife used as entertainment is unacceptable.

"We’d like to see more travel operators take up the mantle and show the same degree of responsibility to protecting animals."

Working with the travel industry

Wild animals suffer welfare abuse in cruel wildlife tourist attractions. Elephants are taken from their mothers when young, then isolated, starved and beaten until their spirits are broken and they are submissive enough to give rides and perform in shows.

To bring an end to this cruelty, we’re working with tour operators around the world, urging them to stop sending customers to cruel wildlife entertainment venues.

As a result of our Wildlife. Not entertainers campaign, 166 travel companies globally, including leading recommendation site TripAdvisor, Contiki, Kuoni Travel UK and Jetair have committed to stop offering visits to venues with elephant rides and shows.

Empowering with knowledge

Tourists visiting animal entertainment venues are often animal lovers, unaware of the cruelty and abuse inflicted in the name of entertainment. The travel industry has a key role in changing this.

Using Oxford University WildCRU research ratings and our own investigations in Asia and Africa, we defined a top 10 list of the world’s cruellest wildlife attractions:

1. Riding elephants
2. Taking tiger selfies
3. Walking with lions
4. Visiting bear (pit) parks
5. Holding sea turtles
6. Performing dolphins
7. Watching dancing monkeys
8. Touring civet cat coffee plantations
9. Watching charming snakes and kissing cobras
10. Visiting crocodile farms

Want to help? We're running a petition to help protect tigers from a 'new Tiger Temple' tourist attraction in Thailand. Sign now.

"Thomas Cook’s decision is fantastic news for the animals that have suffered and a clear sign to the industry that wildlife used as entertainment is unacceptable." - Kate Nustedt, our wildlife director

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North American fast-food giants, Burger King and Tim Hortons, to give millions of chickens better lives

The announcement made this week by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company for these two iconic brands, will positively impact the welfare of millions of chickens in North America. You have played a pivotal role in achieving this change for chickens

The commitment by RBI means that chickens used by their North American restaurants will grow at a slower, more natural rate. They will have more space and will benefit from enriched environments featuring, for example, better lighting, higher quality litter, and perches.

The company made this landmark decision after more than 100,000 people signed our petition urging Burger King, and six other major fast-food companies, to improve the lives of chickens in their supply chains.

RBI's Responsible Sourcing Commitments web page states that the company will work with __animal welfare experts to achieve these changes by 2024.

"This is a fantastic move for better quality of life for farmed chickens," says Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America. It sends a powerful signal to food businesses around the world that meaningful change for chickens is not only possible but vital."

Good for animals, good for business

Burger King and Tim Hortons are the latest companies in a growing movement reflecting a change in consumer demand for more humanely produced goods.

As consumers learn more about the inhumane conditions and suffering that factory-farmed animals endure, they are demanding more humanely produced goods, which is changing what we buy in restaurants and on supermarket shelves.

At the end of 2016, Compass Group USA, Aramark and Panera Bread became the first major North American brands to announce that they are working with their suppliers to commit to healthier, slower-growing chickens.

Change for chickens

Right now, billions of chickens raised for global consumption live in dark, barren sheds. Bred to grow so fast their bones and hearts can’t keep up, they suffer painful lameness, sores and other health problems.

We are challenging other major fast-food companies to follow Burger King, Tim Hortons and other industry-leaders to improve the lives of chickens.

"With the success of the cage-free egg movement, North American consumers have shown that __animal welfare is important to them in their food purchasing decisions," says Jonty.

"This new commitment for chickens is the right thing for RBI, Burger King, and Tim Hortons to do for chickens, for their customers and for themselves. This is a brilliant start for RBI and we hope to continue to work with them as they transform the lives of chickens," Jonty continued.

Learn more about our Change for chickens campaign, and how we’re working to improve the lives of billions of chickens suffering in industrial farms.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America." - Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

Our concern grows as ‘new Tiger Temple’ takes shape and could open within weeks

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Factory farming

American fast-food giants, Burger King and Tim Hortons, to give millions of chickens better lives

The announcement made this week by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company for these two iconic brands, will positively impact the welfare of millions of chickens in North America. You have played a pivotal role in achieving this change for chickens

The commitment by RBI means that chickens used by their North American restaurants will grow at a slower, more natural rate. They will have more space and will benefit from enriched environments featuring, for example, better lighting, higher quality litter, and perches.

The company made this landmark decision after almost 75,000 people signed our petition urging Burger King, and six other major fast-food companies, to improve the lives of chickens in their supply chains.

RBI's Responsible Sourcing Commitments web page states that the company will work with __animal welfare experts to achieve these changes by 2024.

"This is a fantastic move for better quality of life for farmed chickens," says Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America. It sends a powerful signal to food businesses around the world that meaningful change for chickens is not only possible but vital."

Good for animals, good for business

Burger King and Tim Hortons are the latest companies in a growing movement reflecting a change in consumer demand for more humanely produced goods.

As consumers learn more about the inhumane conditions and suffering that factory-farmed animals endure, they are demanding more humanely produced goods, which is changing what we buy in restaurants and on supermarket shelves.

At the end of 2016, Compass Group USA, Aramark and Panera Bread became the first major North American brands to announce that they are working with their suppliers to commit to healthier, slower-growing chickens.

Change for chickens

Right now, billions of chickens raised for global consumption live in dark, barren sheds. Bred to grow so fast their bones and hearts can’t keep up, they suffer painful lameness, sores and other health problems.

We are challenging other major fast-food companies to follow Burger King, Tim Hortons and other industry-leaders to improve the lives of chickens.

"With the success of the cage-free egg movement, North American consumers have shown that __animal welfare is important to them in their food purchasing decisions," says Jonty.

"This new commitment for chickens is the right thing for RBI, Burger King, and Tim Hortons to do for chickens, for their customers and for themselves. This is a brilliant start for RBI and we hope to continue to work with them as they transform the lives of chickens," Jonty continued.

Learn more about our Change for chickens campaign, and how we’re working to improve the lives of billions of chickens suffering in industrial farms.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America." - Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

Our concern grows as ‘new Tiger Temple’ takes shape and could open within weeks

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Factory farming

Our concern grows as ‘new Tiger Temple’ takes shape and could open within weeks

We’re dismayed to see construction of the ‘new Tiger Temple’ tourist venue, by Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd., plough ahead. Photos taken this week show cramped, old-fashioned cages being built, raising fears that the attraction could open within weeks. We must stop this

Wildlife belongs in the wild

We’re calling for the Thai government to protect tigers and not allow this new venue in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, to open.

We’re concerned that tigers acquired for this new business venture will be trapped in lives of endless suffering, to supply the demand for cruel tourist shows and selfies.   

More than 150,000 supporters have signed our petition urging Thai authorities to stop this new development in its tracks. This number is growing rapidly, showing how strongly the public feels about this urgent issue.

‘Inadequate’ housing for tigers

Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, our senior wildlife and veterinary advisor, said: "The construction of the new tiger venue is well on its way. We are concerned that the old fashioned ‘row of cages’ is very inadequate for the housing of tigers.

“We fear that the inhumane treatment and conditions of the tigers in this new venue will be no different to those at the former Tiger Temple, which was involved in cruelty and illegal wildlife trade practices. This is why we are calling for the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to not allow the new venue to open."

A building under construction at the proposed site for the 'new Tiger Temple', Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Provisional licence

Tiger Temple was raided by police and shut down last year following allegations of illegal breeding and trafficking of tigers and their parts. The matter is still under investigation.  

Golden Tiger Co. Ltd. has a provisional zoo licence, transferred over from the old Tiger Temple venue. If it meets 11 additional requirements, it could be granted the full licence it needs to operate.

Dr Schmidt-Burbach added: "With the new venue underway, it feels like the award of a zoo licence is being seen as a fait accompli. 

"We must remember the reasons why Tiger Temple was closed. The risk to these tigers being illegally trafficked, bred for profit and exposed to more horrific cruelty, is immense."

A close up of cages that tigers are likely to be kept in

Clear links to cruel, former venue

The DNP has publicly commented about the new venue, claiming the project is above board, and stated the following:

• the zoo licence was granted on legal regulations and it permits the Golden Tiger Co. Ltd to build a venue
• once the venue is built, and if the company meets 11 additional requirements, Golden Tiger Co. Ltd. can acquire tigers for the venue
• the Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd. has no links with the previous Tiger Temple attraction.

We refute the last statement. There are clear links, which should be prompting the government to be cautious because the Tiger Temple Limited and Golden Tiger (Thailand) Limited are the same entity regardless of a change of name, director or shareholders.  

Records obtained from the Department of Business Development show that on February 3 2017, Tiger Temple Co Ltd changed its name to the Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd., and kept the same registration ID and zoo licence provided last year by the DNP.

We’re urging the Thai government to take a closer look and stand alongside us to protect tigers from harm. If you’ve not yet signed our petition, please act now.

"We fear that the inhumane treatment and conditions of the tigers in this new venue will be no different to those at the former Tiger Temple, which was involved in cruelty and illegal wildlife trade practices." - Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, our senior wildlife and veterinary advisor

As 33ft sperm whale trapped in fishing net dies, we urge more action to protect marine animals

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Protecting dogs and people in Kenya: launch of national plan to eliminate rabies

Kenya has become the first country in Africa to launch a national strategy for controlling and eliminating rabies.

Late last month, on World Rabies Day, we supported the vaccination of more than 3,000 dogs in Makueni County and helped launch a national strategy to eliminate human rabies from Kenya.

The strategy is simple: vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population each year – for at least three years – and the disease will be eliminated, in dogs, humans and wildlife.

The new plan was launched by Kenyan government principle secretaries, from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.  We attended the launch in Makueni County, Kenya.

Makueni County is one of five pilot counties that will be targeted first by the Kenyan government. Our teams are working closely with government officials there to advise on the humane treatment of animals with the disease.

On World Rabies Day, we supported the mass vaccination of 3,000 dogs across Makueni County. Alongside education on dog handling and care, there was also a competition for the dog in the best condition of health.

The principal secretary for Livestock, Fred Segor, said: “With the help of partners such as World __animal Protection and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we hope that by the year 2030, we will have a rabies free nation.”

Battling rabies in Kenya: what else should you know

• Rabies has been endemic in Kenya since the first reported case in 1912
• In 2012 the government of Kenya set up a Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) to improve the surveillance, prevention and control of zoonotic diseases in the country. Rabies was identified as one of the highest priority diseases.
• In April 2013 we attended a workshop run by the ZDU, with government representatives, universities and other organisations including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) amongst others. Together, the workshop produced Rabies Management Guidelines and the Rabies Elimination Strategy that was launched last month.

Read more about controlling rabies in our resource: Controlling Rabies: One humane solution, three reasons why.

Image: A man brings his dogs to be vaccinated against rabies in Zanzibar, Tanzania (Andrew Morgan)

“With the help of partners such as World Animal Protection, we hope that by the year 2030, we will have a rabies free nation.”

Animal welfare included in UN Agricultural Investments Principles

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Hundreds of dogs treated at mobile clinic in Romania

We have been working with Save the Dogs to protect dogs in a remote area of Romania

Between May and September this year, we sponsored a mobile vet clinic, run by Romanian charity Save the Dogs.

The treatment centre visited 20 villages in Constanta county, Romania, providing veterinary care where previously it was either non-existent or unaffordable for dog-owners.

Since May, the clinic has sterilised and neutered a total of 640 dogs. This will avoid the birth of potentially thousands of puppies, who could have ended up abandoned and living on the streets of nearby towns.

In line with a new Romanian law adopted in September 2013, 626 dogs were also microchipped and registered on a new database.

Villagers received information on dog care and welfare too, meaning a better life for these animals.

Local resident Munteanu Constani is 65 years old and lives in Pestera, a remote village in the region. Munteanu is the proud owner of three white dogs and loves them dearly - although he says his five year old Granddaughter, Maria, loves them even more!

Constantin said, "We are very happy about the Mobile Clinic's activity, and Maria is even happier! Thank you all."

Read more about our work with animals in communities.

640 dogs have been sterilised and neutered. This will avoid the birth of potentially thousands of puppies who could have ended up living on the streets.

Protecting dogs and people in Kenya: launch of national plan to eliminate rabies

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Working with strays a humane alternative

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Our partnership with the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Rio 2016

To help ensure the safety of animals in Rio, we are partnering with the Organising Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the run up to and during the Games.

Millions of people will flock to the city from 5th to the 21st of August, and again from the 7th to the 18th of September 2016, to see events in over 30 different sports facilities. Many animals including dogs, cats, horses, and alligators, live close to the venues and need to be kept safe. 

We are training Olympic operational teams to correctly handle animals, offering guidelines on responsible pet ownership to the communities of Rio de Janeiro, and organising adoption campaigns for dogs and cats in partnership with Special Secretariat for the Defense of Animals (SEPDA).

Rosangela Ribeiro, Veterinary Program Manager at World __animal Protection said:
“We hope that the Rio 2016 Games will set an example for other major sporting events because the joy and celebrations of the events can cause much distress for animals of the organising city.

“We are proud to be working with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee to make sure the animals across Rio are safe, and the owners of animals feel confident they can keep them safe and well.”

Julie Duffus, Sustainability Manager at Rio 2016 said: 

"We were delighted when World Animal Protection offered their support. We trust their technical advice and it has helped us to create and implement management plans for animals who may get into venues, or near the huge crowds. Without them we would have struggled to do it.”

With over 30 years’ experience in protecting animals across the world, our veterinarians will train employees located across the Olympic venues on safe and humane __animal handling. This will help ensure the Games can run smoothly and that guests to the city can feel safe in the knowledge that stray animals entering venues are being cared for and will not be considered a nuisance. 

With a large number of residences neighboring the sports facilities, communities will be given advice on taking extra care of their pets during this busy period. In previous Olympic Games, animals have been known to enter areas intended for competitions and training, putting their own lives at risk and potentially causing accidents or interruptions. 

Working together with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, we will carry out community awareness raising events about the importance of keeping domestic animals safe at home during the competitions, especially street competitions, such as road cycle racing. 

You can help support our work protecting animals across the world by making a donation today.

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"We were delighted when World Animal Protection offered their support. We trust their technical advice and it has helped us to create and implement management plans for animals who may get into venues, or near the huge crowds.” Julie Duffus, Sustainability Manager at Rio 2016.

Global Ghost Gear Initiative gains traction among United Nations member states

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