Wildlife Trade

Brian Davies obituary (1935 – 2022)

Brian Davies – 4 February 1935 – 27 December 2022 Brian Davies, world-renowned animal welfare activist, has died. He was 87. To the general public, Davies will be most remembered for his success in ending the baby whitecoat seal slaughter in Canada in the 1960s, and for donating £1-million to the British Labour Party election […]

Pangolins! Elephants! SO MANY rare and endangered animals could be EXTINCT IN OUR LIFETIMES!

Our planet is in crisis and our irreplaceable wildlife is in terrible danger all over the world. ASI provides direct action to help animals in the most immediate peril – animals who would die without our help. At ASI, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of climate change, habitat destruction and the merciless illegal wildlife […]

Illegal wildlife trade poaching kills a gentle pangolin EVERY FIVE MINUTES! EXTINCTION LOOMS!

Gentle, shy pangolins are in grave danger of extinction. The insatiable and unrelenting illegal wildlife trade slaughters tens of thousands of pangolins every year. Credit: AFP Experts warn that two critically endangered pangolin species – the Chinese pangolin and the Sunda pangolin – could be wiped out within seven years. We need to act now. […]

11 Sentenced to Death for 2017 Murder of Wildlife Activist Wayne Lotter

Five years after the murder of renowned anti-poaching activist Wayne Lotter, a Tanzanian court has sentenced his killers to death. According to Al Jazeera, 11 people were handed the death penalty by a Tanzanian court last Friday. Those sentenced included nine locals and two Burundians. Lotter, a 51-year-old South African conservationist living in Tanzania, helped […]

FREEDOM FLIGHT! No animal should be held captive… yet this is the plight of two lion cubs who WE’RE ABOUT TO FLY TO A SANCTUARY!

In the Middle East, wealthy Gulf-state nationals buy wild animals to show off as status symbols. These animals are illegally imported, reared in captivity, bred, abused and then often escape or are discarded. This is no life for any wild animal, and no exotic species is safe from the illegal exotic pet trade: lions, chimpanzees, […]

How we helped in October and November 2022

Animal Survival International (ASI) works around the clock and around the globe to help wildlife affected by climate change. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the tireless dedication of our partners, we are able to take immediate action for countless wild animals in dire need of help. Your support is vital in everything […]

U.N. Gathering Rejects Bids to Trade Ivory and Rhino Horn in Southern Africa

In a blessing for elephants, the African nations of Namibia and Zimbabwe have failed to convince a United Nations body to allow them to export elephant tusks, while Eswatini lost a bid to sell rhino horn, reports Reuters. Namibia and cash-strapped Zimbabwe had claimed that sales would protect the animals and raise money for conservation, […]

African penguin populations have declined by 98% in the last century! The species could be EXTINCT within the next few years!

African penguin populations have declined by 98% in the last century. If we do not take IMMEDIATE ACTION, the species could be extinct within the next few years. We have a plan to help them! Please, will you join us? Tragically, it’s no longer unrealistic to imagine a world without these charming and ecologically vital […]

A Remarkable Rescue by the Saint Mark’s Animal Hospital and Shelter

Just a few days ago, our partner, The Saint Mark’s Animal Hospital and Shelter in Lagos, Nigeria, was alerted to a dreadful case involving a vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtle who had been caught by poachers for the illegal wildlife and bushmeat trade. The magnificent creature had most likely come ashore to lay her eggs, […]

Pangolins rescued from criminal gangs urgently need care before they can be returned to the wild. Please, will you help them?

Critically endangered pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, with more than ONE MILLION poached over the last decade. The insatiable demand of the illegal wildlife trade has driven all eight species of pangolin to the brink of extinction. Every year, tens of thousands of pangolins are poached and killed for their scales […]

Conservationists Argue to Protect African Hippo as Wildlife Trade Drives the Species Closer to Extinction

African representatives from Humane Society International (HSI) will argue for the classification of hippo as an endangered species at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora in Panama next month. This after South Africa exported an average of 122 hippos every year between 2009 and 2018, according to […]

South African Rhino Horn Worth $15-million Seized in Singapore

Authorities in Singapore have made their largest-ever seizure of rhino horn, confiscated from a smuggler arriving from South Africa, according to News24.com. The haul is reportedly worth $830,000 (around £735,471). Authorities at Singapore Changi Airport uncovered 20 pieces of rhino horn weighing 34 kilograms (75 lb). The two bags containing the horn were detected by […]

Three Baby Chimps Kidnapped and Held for Ransom in DRC

Is this the new trend in animal wildlife crime? An animal sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been hit with a ransom demand after three of its baby chimpanzees were kidnapped, reports CNN.com. “This is the first time in the world that baby apes were kidnapped for ransom,” Franck Chantereau, founder of […]

Cheetahs Set to Roam in India for the First Time Since Being Declared Extinct 70 Years Ago

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has reintroduced extinct cheetahs on his birthday, reports the BBC.com. The group of eight cats arrived from Namibia on Saturday, and will be the first to roam free in the country since the species was declared extinct in 1952. The cheetahs will spend one month in quarantine before being released […]

Wildlife Trafficker Abdi Ahmed Extradited to the United States

Notorious Kenyan wildlife trafficker Abdi Ahmed has been extradited to the United States (US) on multiple counts of wildlife trafficking, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Ahmed was the final escaped member of a prominent wildlife traffic syndicate wanted in the U.S. for trafficking substantial amounts of ivory and rhino horn, […]

Caught in a snare, ‘Najam’ the lioness suffered horribly for FOUR DAYS. We can save wild animals from snares. Please, will you help us?

Snares are one of the world’s oldest and cruelest devices for killing animals. Usually, the animal dies slowly, after days or weeks of suffering. Recently, ‘Najam’, a magnificent two-year-old lioness in Zimbabwe, was spotted with a steel snare cutting through her mouth and tearing through her cheeks. The slipknot was lodged in her throat, making […]

Rhino Poaching Surges in Namibia

Namibia is currently experiencing an alarming surge in rhino poaching, with the number of poached rhinos reaching 48 this year, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Tourism. Of these, 32 were critically endangered black rhinos and 16 were near-threatened white rhinos. “Poaching has become more prevalent in private farms as […]

The UK’s Leading PM Candidate Refuses to Embrace Animal Welfare – But Her Opponent Will

The Guardian last week reported that Liz Truss, would-be successor to outgoing British prime minister Boris Johnson, has refused to protect animal welfare in post-Brexit trade deals. This according to environment secretary George Eustice, who says that Truss’s rival, Rishi Sunak, has made it clear he would not compromise on welfare standards. “It is fair […]

Cheetah Reintroduction in Malawi Encourages the Return of Vultures

Four critically endangered vulture species have returned to the Liwonde National Park in Malawi, after having not been seen there for more than 20 years. The birds’ resurgence is credited to the successful reintroduction of cheetahs and lions, as the predators’ prey remains increase food availability for vultures. In 2017, seven cheetahs were relocated to […]

More than 100 vultures and a hyena poisoned to death at South Africa’s Kruger National Park

More than 100 vultures at South Africa’s Kruger National Park, as well as a hyena, have been found dead after feeding on a poisoned buffalo carcass, reports local media. The disturbing discovery was made near the far northern Punda Maria region of the park, which borders a village. Local conservationists believe the deaths could be […]

The TORTURE – the BRUTALITY – endured by tortoises is BEYOND BELIEF!

Right now, a group of critically endangered tortoises are in danger of starving to death after being rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Africa. With your help, we can urgently get food to them so they survive this ordeal and bring hope to their entire species. Please, help us right now. In Madagascar, tortoises […]

Rhino Poaching Worsens in South Africa as 259 Slain in First Half of 2022

South Africa’s Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) reports that 259 rhinos have been slaughtered in the first six months of this year in the country – already 10 more than for the same period last year. Of these, 82 were killed in the Kruger National Park, the country’s largest state-owned park. According to […]

Shy pangolins, the world’s most trafficked animals, are being poached to extinction for food and the illicit wildlife trade.

An estimated 2.7 million pangolins are poached annually in Central Africa alone, according to a new study by the UK’s University of Sussex. These statistics are harrowing, and they are worsening every year. Pangolins – shy, nocturnal animals who are mammals despite their scaly appearance – are now the most trafficked animal on the planet. Poached […]

First Beaver Born In Cheshire After More Than 400 years

A pair of Eurasian beavers have successfully bred in Cheshire in northwest England for the first time in over 400 years. The couple, named Willow and Rowan, were released at Hatchmere near Delmere Forest by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust (CWT) in November 2020. The CWT described the sighting of the newborn beaver as “a real […]

11 Black Rhinos Poached in Namibia’s National Park

In June, 11 critically endangered black rhinos were illegally slaughtered and their horns removed in just two weeks. Their lifeless carcasses were discovered scattered across the Etosha National Park, said Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda. No arrests in connection with the killings have been made, but investigations are ongoing. […]

Happy the Elephant is Not a Person, New York Court Rules

Originally published by and adapted from BBC News. 14 June 2022 Happy the elephant, a long-time resident of the Bronx Zoo, must remain there after a New York court ruled she is not legally a person under US law. Animal Survival International (ASI) reported on Happy the Elephant back in May. At the time, there […]

Namibia’s Wildlife Policy Slammed Over Recent Export of Elephants to The UAE

The recent export of 22 wild-caught elephants from Namibia to zoos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sparked outrage at the county’s flagrant disregard of international agreements and appalling cruelty to elephants. Moving wild-caught elephants into zoos has been outlawed since 2002, but Namibian officials chose to ignore the rules. The elephants moved are […]

The young pangolin, Bean, was illegally captured and shot in the head. MIRACULOUSLY, he SURVIVED!

Please, will you help today? In South Africa, a young pangolin has been rescued from the criminal wildlife trade and needs URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION to save his life! During an undercover operation conducted by the Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, in partnership with the South African Police Service, their team found the pangolin stuffed into a […]

Cruel Trade in Ivory to be Illegal as World-leading Ban Takes Effect

The UK Ivory Act, which enforces a near total ban on the import, export and dealing of items containing elephant ivory, came into full effect on June 6. Said to be one of the toughest and most strictly enforced bans on elephant ivory sales around the globe, the Ivory Act has emerged not a moment […]

Smuggling of Exotic Animals via India Escalates as Kangaroos Discovered in Bengal

India’s anti-smuggling intelligence agency, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), says that the country has seen a rapid rise in the demand for exotic animals. Customs authorities have witnessed an extreme spike in the illegal trafficking of exotic animals from Southeast Asia in particular. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), elephant tusks, pangolin scales, […]

Much To Trumpet About: US Court To Decide If Happy The Elephant Has Human Rights

Can basic human rights be extended to an elephant? That is the question being put to the New York High Court this week by advocates at the Nonhuman Rights Project (NRP). According to The Guardian, they argue that Happy – an Asian elephant who has lived at the Bronx Zoo for 45 years – is […]

UK’s Leading Mammal Expert Shows a Ban on Snaring Is the Only Way To Protect Animal Welfare

Originally published by Antisnaring.co.uk (Monday, May 10, 2022) The National Anti Snaring Campaign with the support of Animal Survival International has commissioned a major “Review of the use of Snares in the UK” by Professor Stephen Harris. This follows the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in May 2021, which set out the Government’s plans, […]

Temporary Reprieve for SA Wildlife as Trophy Hunting Quotas Halted

The South African government wants to issue permits so trophy hunters can kill 10 leopards, 10 black rhinos and 150 elephants in 2022.The Western Cape High Court has temporarily blocked the attempt on technical grounds but the fight is far from over because the government will certainly appeal. According to the Daily Maverick, South Africa […]

MILITANT TERRORISTS (called Al-Shabaab) are SLAUGHTERING rare giraffes and selling their meat to BUY MORE WEAPONS!

While the war in Ukraine and its devastating effects on the country’s animals dominate international headlines (and much of our current work), the reality is that animals continue to face mounting crises all over the globe, and we have to be there for them. We are – and with your support today, we will continue to save […]

Ireland Becomes Latest European Country to Ban Fur Farming

Ireland is the latest country to ban fur farming after legislation to end the practice reached the final stages of the parliamentary process last month. The bill is currently on its way to the president of Ireland, Michael Higgins, to be signed into law. Ireland’s three existing fur farms will be shut down during the […]

UNPRECEDENTED RESCUE MISSION UNDERWAY – to save 6,000 Ukraine frightened and starving zoo animals! We must act fast!

As Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on, ASI is deeply concerned about the country’s wild animals. We are dismayed by the relentless anguish thousands of animals are enduring because of the violence and destruction. The war is having catastrophic consequences on Ukraine’s free wildlife and on the poor, unfortunate animals locked captive in zoos. A […]

US Allows Hunters to Import Some Elephant Trophies From African Countries

Adapted from article written by Miranda Green Originally published by New York Times (Friday, April 1, 2022) The US Fish and Wildlife Service informed some hunters last month that it would allow the import of six elephant trophies into the United States from Zimbabwe. The African elephant carcasses will be the first allowed into the […]

The USDA’s Wildlife Services Division Killed Over a Million Animals in 2021

In 2021 alone, the United States Agricultural Department’s (USDA) Wildlife Services division killed more than 1.75 million animals nationwide. This amounts to a shocking rate of around 200 dead creatures per hour. Among the executed are diverse species of wildlife such as alligators, armadillos, doves, owls, otters, porcupines, snakes and turtles. These senseless killings have […]

Here’s the latest on besieged zoo animals in Ukraine’s war!

Over a month ago, Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine, causing devastation to the country’s wild animals. We are horrified by the suffering inflicted. It is having catastrophic consequences for Ukraine’s free wildlife and for the poor, unfortunate animals in zoos. These poor creatures now have war to add to the cruelty they suffer […]

Rescued BABY wild animals (including 4 endangered pangolins) in the clinic are at RISK OF DEATH from stifling heat due to constant power outages!

In the small town of Tzaneen, South Africa, 15 baby wild animals are suffering from record-breaking high temperatures in a small wildlife clinic… The clinic is experiencing nonstop power outages! The heat is insufferable! Our partner, the Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility for orphaned indigenous wildlife. Among the sick […]

Chinese-led ivory poachers need to be stopped!

In Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, the Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit (BHAPU) – a small but fiercely dedicated anti-poaching unit – faces a mammoth task. The team is responsible for protecting 3,500 elephants in the area from violent ivory poachers. BHAPU cannot do this without a patrol vehicle, and theirs has reached the end of its life. […]

Africa Geographic: More Forest Elephants in Gabon Than Previously Thought – New Research

Adapted from article written by Team Africa Geographic Originally published by Africa Geographic (Wednesday, January 31, 2022) The good news is that there are more forest elephants in Gabon than previously believed. A new study from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Gabon’s National Park Agency (ANPN) and Vulcan offer the first countrywide elephant population estimate […]

CHEETAHS at RISK! Illegal wildlife trafficking, habitat destruction, loss of genetic diversity…

It’s ALARMING! Africa’s cheetah population has drastically declined. It’s estimated that only about 7,000 remain in the wild (just 1,300 in South Africa). They have been reduced from eight subspecies to just one. They can only be found on 10% of their historical range. In just one African country, Somaliland, at least 300 cheetah cubs […]

Are Hippopotamuses to Become Belated Victims of Cocaine Lord Pablo Escobar?

Thanks to a dead drug lord, Colombia is now home to the “biggest herd of hippos outside of Africa,” says veterinarian and conservationist Carlos Valderrama (BBC News). The threat the animals pose to both public safety and the environment has fueled a global debate among scientists and animal welfare activists. While every effort is being […]

Independent: Pangolin Kidnapped and Held to Ransom in Congo Amid Fears of ‘New Trend’ in Wildlife Crime

Adapted from article written by Emily Atkinson Originally published by Independent (Wednesday, January 26, 2022) ‘If we pay them, then we are doomed,’ say conservationists An endangered pangolin has been taken hostage by a group of rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who sent a ransom request to conservationists for the animal’s […]

EMERGENCY! We helped rescue FOUR baby rhinos whose mothers were slaughtered. Three are doing well. But one, Aquazi, is FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE!

In December, we told you about four rhino calves who had been rushed to our partner, the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary (CFW) in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The baby rhinos had been left abandoned after poachers mercilessly slaughtered their mothers. Left Aquazi being transported to safety, right Aquazi in ICU We reached out to you […]

Mozambican Poaching Gang Leader Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

In a significant victory against wildlife poaching in Africa, a Mozambican judge has sentenced notorious rhino poacher and gang leader Admiro Chauque to 30 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay 28 years’ worth of fines after being convicted of multiple crimes relating to the illegal wildlife trade and possession of weapons in […]

Elephants, rhinos and more face unrelenting threat from heartless POACHERS who work for CHINESE CRIMINALS!

A poaching epidemic underway in South Africa is killing endangered animals including elephants and rhinos every day. Protecting wild animals is a huge challenge because they roam over such massive areas. Our partner, the Addo National Park alone covers 630 square miles (1,640 square kilometers) of dense vegetation offering poachers ample places to hide. The […]

Rescued baby wild animals, including critically endangered pangolins, need medical treatment and intensive care to be readied for return to the wild!

In a remote part of South Africa, sick and injured orphaned baby wild animals desperately need a bush veterinary clinic to help them. Our partner, the Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre, is a rescue and rehabilitation center for baby wild creatures, orphaned when their mothers were killed. Right now, Umoya Khulula has dozens of very young […]

We helped SAVE SIX BABY PANGOLINS! Finally, they are about to be RELEASED!

In August, we told you about the rescue of five baby pangolins whose mothers were slaughtered for the illegal bushmeat market in Lagos, Nigeria. A few weeks later, a mother and her newborn baby were also rescued. Sadly, the newborn died, but this meant that the Saint Mark’s Animal Hospital and Shelter team now had […]

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