Five wins for wildlife

Our message is simple. Wild animals belong in the wild. Not to be exploited as entertainers, exotic pets, or killed for use in traditional medicine. 

We’ve been campaigning and combatting all three of these exploitative industries in our efforts to keep wildlife in the wild where it belongs.

Below are just some of the positive outcomes we’ve been able to achieve, with your support, on behalf of wild animals: 

1. Badak Kecil Island Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo now open

In 2017, we worked with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) to buy a much-needed island for rescued orangutans who are unable to return to the wild. Thanks to our supporters, we helped BOSF in the purchase and running costs of the Badak Kecil Island Orangutan Sanctuary to ensure the highest welfare and long-term care for these animals. The sanctuary is up and running with two rescued orangutans recently transferred to the island to live out their lives freely. 

2. Bear Cubs rescued from baiting in Pakistan 

In northern Pakistan, members of the government-led Biodiversity Directorate intercepted a vehicle en route to a trade hub. Acting on information received from our partner, Bioresource Research Centre (BRC), the authorities searched the contents of the vehicle and found five small terrified bear cubs. hidden inside. Thanks our supporters, they were rescued and are now being looked after at the BRC bear sanctuary. We’re working to bring a permanent end to the use of bears for entertainment. One part of the solution is having a sanctuary to care for abused bears. 

3. Moving Turkish Airlines to halt the shipping of African grey parrots 

We’re pleased to say that, within 11 days of the campaign launch, 80,000 people around the world signed our Turkish Airlines petition. In response to our newly-launched Wildlife. Not pets campaign, which aims to end the cruel exotic pet trade, Turkish Airlines issued an immediate global embargo on the transportation of African grey parrots on any of its planes. 

4. Wild animals used as selfie props rescued in Peru 

With our supporters’ help, we rescued over 20 wild animals, including sloths and a manatee from the wildlife tourism in Peru. The operation was carried out by Peruvian authorities and Entropika after we sounded the alarm. The animals have been flown to rescue facilities where they’ll be suitably cared for and treated for injuries and illnesses. This rescue sends a clear message that wild animals are not photo props to be used in cruel wildlife selfies – wild animals belong in the wild.

5. Transition work at Happy Elephant Valley, Thailand, progressing towards completion

Happy Elephant Valley in Chiang Mai is shifting away from cruelty and becoming an elephant-friendly attraction. Together with some of the world’s most influential travel companies, we’re working to push the landmark transition forward. This move will end all contact between tourists and elephants at the camp, to help meet the growing demand for responsible elephant experiences. The transition will allow the elephants to be free to behave as they would in the wild; free to roam the valley, graze, and bathe in mud, dust, and water.

If you’d like to do something good for wildlife, you can sign and pledge your support to be an Animal Friendly traveller. You can protect these animals by reducing the demand for animals in entertainment in the countries where you are on holiday.

Header image credit: Björn Vaughn

Our message is simple. Wild animals belong in the wild. Not to be exploited as entertainers, exotic pets, or killed for use in traditional medicine.