Animal Defenders International
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animaldefenders.bsky.social
Animal Defenders International
@animaldefenders.bsky.social
Active worldwide to end animal suffering. Investigations have led to prosecutions and changed laws. Education, raising awareness. Work with governments on dangerous, large-scale seizures of captive wild animals.
www.ad-international.org
SHUJAA AND SAHAM SIDE BY SIDE
Shujaa and Saham are 2 of the #Kuwait6 lions rescued from Kuwait after being abandoned as “trophy pets.” Now living at ADIWS in South Africa, they love to roam and relax in their large habitat, and using their old travel crates for fun and snoozing.
December 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
COP30 recap:
Some progress on climate finance and fairness, including funding plans, but countries couldn’t agree on a path away from fossil fuels. Division continues and the real action now depends on what nations do at home.
#ProtectThePlanet
December 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
We’re not saying male lions are lazy but some reports say they sleep for around 20 hours a day, compared to lionesses who sleep 13-15 (& do the hunting for the pride!). Our rescued lions are much more active than that, but they do like a good snooze - as David demonstrates here.
December 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Jan's blog: ADI President Jan Creamer updates on the Giving Tuesday Appeal for our new Non-Predator Reception area at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. We are nearly there.
jancreamer.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Help animals while you shop! Our new Bonfire apparel features fresh designs—including styles celebrating rescued French lions Coralie & Goliath. Every purchase supports animals like them. Give a gift to loved ones and to the animals.
🎁Shop: www.bonfire.com/store/animal...
December 6, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Stripes was rescued from a circus in Guatemala in 2018 and supporters have seen him grow up and experience life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Our September star for the 2026 ADI Animal Rescue Calendar get yours at www.ad-international.org/store/
December 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Trophy hunting is NOT conservation. New decisions at CoP20 affecting lions and leopards have been accepted. Whilst positive these still do not address the issues surrounding trophy hunting and fuelling demand for trade.
#conservation #bantrophyhunting #saveanimals
December 5, 2025 at 11:40 AM
No ifs, no buts and definitely no horns! Rhino trade proposals (proposals 9 & 10) have been rejected at CoP20! This is a huge win for rhinos and those in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

#conservation #saveanimals #rhinos
December 5, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Africa the lioness was once confined to a noisy circus in Peru. Rescued through Operation Spirit of Freedom, she now lives peacefully at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Her journey shows what true freedom looks like: sun, grass, and a life far from cages.
#StopCircusSuffering
December 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
31 years ago ADI’s Operation Release saved six beagle puppies from notorious Interfauna (now Marshall BioResources Acres). In 1994, 9K experiments were performed on beagles in UK labs. Last year, 2,646 procedures were performed on 1,651 dogs. There is still much to do.

#UnlockTheLabs #EndSuffering
December 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM
ANIMALS ARE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS OF HUMAN CONFLICTS. A bill in Colombia seeking to recognise animal victims of armed conflict was approved in the 1st of 4 Senate Committee debates. ADI provided info on the bill that would include animals in reparation, care, & memorial programs.
December 4, 2025 at 12:06 AM
This year’s GivingTuesday has been dedicated to a new reception area for our non-predator rescues, ensuring ADI can continue to take in the abused animals of South Africa and local wildlife in need of rehabilitation. We play an important role helping to enforce animal protection laws.
December 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST FUR PRODUCER BANS FUR FARMING! Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, has signed the fur farming ban into law following a decisive parliamentary vote. All fur farms in the country will be closed by 2033. ADI had exposed conditions of fox fur farms in Poland.
December 3, 2025 at 11:48 AM
ANIMALS ARE NOT HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT. Using live animals isn’t festive or fair. Please reach out to the events below & urge them to leave animals out of their holiday experiences. If you spot any events featuring live animals, please speak to the organizers and contact ADI.
December 3, 2025 at 12:17 AM
TODAY IS GIVING TUESDAY. WILL YOU HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST CRUELTY? Apollo was abused and left hobbled in a South African township without shade or water. He was rescued and today, he will lead his family, Amani, Crockett, and Sammy, as they wander hundreds of acres across the ADIWS.
December 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Sun’s out, Shujaa’s out! Once dumped on the streets of Kuwait after life as a “trophy pet,” Shujaa now roams, plays, and naps in peace at ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. A bold spirit finally free.

Support Shujaa:
UK: act.ad-international.org/page/165318/...
US: act.ad-international.org/page/167063/...
December 2, 2025 at 12:07 PM
FIGHTING TO END BULLFIGHTING IN PERU. ADI has been stepping up the campaign to end bullfighting in Peru following the successful campaign in Colombia. #BanBullfighting #StopCorrida #PeruSinToreo
December 2, 2025 at 12:09 AM
TRUSSED UP, TERRIFIED: ADI AND SPCA SAVE CALF. While investigating a report of an illegally kept monkey, SPCA inspectors were horrified to find a calf, tied up in the back of a truck. They contacted ADIWS and together we freed the calf, and our new resident now has a home at ADIWS.
December 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Lions Dhubiya and Saif were cubs when they were dumped in the Kuwait desert – either by traffickers or owners who no longer wanted a status symbol “pet.” Now they have acres of land to roam and play.

Support:
UK act.ad-international.org/page/165318/...
US act.ad-international.org/page/167063/...
December 1, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Aziza was once a neglected trophy pet in Kuwait, now a confident, thriving lioness at ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. From fearful to free, her transformation is a powerful reminder: wild animals belong in the wild, not in homes.
November 30, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Fate of elephants, rhinos & others to be decided at the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. ADI is calling for a stronger CITES: supporting proposals to increase protections & opposing those that would weaken them.
Follow ADI for updates #wildlifetrade
November 30, 2025 at 11:37 AM
🎉Happy Birthday to Simon Amstell — brilliant British comedian, writer, and director! He reminds us of the suffering behind dairy and how choosing plant based alternatives helps create a kinder world for animals. Everyone at ADI wishes Simon a special day!
#SimonAmstell #DairyFree
November 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
THE MANE ATTRACTION. Rey was rescued almost 12 years ago from a circus in Cusco high in Peru’s Andes mountains. Now in his senior years but looking as magnificent as ever. Rey is the July star in our 2026 ADI Animal Rescue calendar. Order yours now!

#ADIWildlifeSanctuary
November 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
ADI stands firmly against CITES CoP20 proposals pushing to weaken international trade controls of vulnerable species such as giraffes, rhinoceroses and elephants. ADI will be encouraging representatives to take a stand, you can too: bit.ly/ADICOP20 #africanelephant #savetherhino #conservation
November 28, 2025 at 12:41 PM
It’s Thanksgiving in the US today, and we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported ADI and the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary throughout 2025. HAPPY THANKSGIVING🧡🤎💛

#HappyThanksgiving #RescuedLion #ADIWildlifeSanctuary
November 27, 2025 at 9:49 PM