How we helped animals in July 2023

Almost everywhere, our planet’s wildlife is in crisis – from Africa to Asia, Europe and beyond. Rampant population growth, climate change, crime, and commercial activity is at the root of this suffering. At ASI, our mission is to improve the plight of animals who are helpless in the face of their greatest threat: humans.

With our donors’ support, we make a real impact every month. Whether we are evacuating wildlife from burning forests, removing deadly snares or fighting for justice for caged and abused animals, public generosity drives our work, and makes it all possible.

Here is how our supporters’ donations made an impact in July.

Greece 

Racing to the aid of animals trapped in Greek Wildfires

Mid-July, raging wildfires broke out across vast swathes of Greece, including on Rhodes and Corfu, and temperatures soared to the hottest in 50 years. Tourist attractions were closed across Athens due to the heatwave and as people fled, animals were left to battle dehydration, exhaustion, smoke inhalation and the flames.

Our partner ANIMA (the Wildlife Rehabilitation Association), was there to help wildlife in desperate need – birds dropping from the sky and animals who would otherwise have been engulfed by flames. Thanks to your support, we were able to rush emergency rescue funds to ANIMA so they could race into the disaster zones and bring out trapped, terrified, injured animals, including deer, tortoises and birds.

We exist to be there for wildlife when crises hit, and with your support, that is exactly what we were able to do for the wildlife of Greece.

Read the original article.

Credit: AFP

Zimbabwe

A delicate operation to remove torture devices from two snared elephants

Two elephants roaming the vast Lake Kariba region of Zimbabwe were spotted with snares cutting deeply into their flesh. Not only were the snares likely causing great pain, but they would ultimately cause the animals to become sick and die through infection. These elusive creatures – spotted by the Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit (BHAPU) and their partner, Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust (KAWFT) – were difficult to dart, and we knew the only way to do so would be via helicopter.

We appealed to you for urgent funds to hire a helicopter in order to tranquilize the animals, remove the snares, and release them back into their herds – and you donated generously. Thanks to your support, we were able to successfully execute the operation and remove the snares before safely returning the elephants to their herds.

Read the original article.

Credit: BHAPU

Montenegro

Ljubo the caged bear continues to languish in a cruel, cramped enclosure

In July, our worst fears were realized when, after briefly being rehomed to a larger enclosure, Ljubo the brown bear was discovered back in a cage – in debilitating heat. The six-year-old bear, who has been imprisoned in this illegal Balkan “zoo” his entire life, had no essential shade or respite from the blaze in this, one of Europe’s hottest summers. Visitors reported he seemed hungry and sad, and paid his captor $6.00 (£4.30) for food for him.

The bottom line is that Ljubo needs a bear sanctuary where all his needs can be met. Some of our supporters are asking why it is proving so difficult to do the right thing and move Ljubo. The answer is indifference from the authorities and a lack of political will from the government. We are increasing our lobbying efforts and pushing legal action, which your support is enabling us to do. We know the road is a long one but at no point will we give up.

Read the original article.

Good News Updates

Electra the pangolin is on the mend! See her transformation here.

Credit: Taryn Slabbert

Mission success! Zimbabwe elephants de-snared and safe! Read more.

Credit: KAWFT

Remember Bavati, the orphaned rhino calf who survived a hyena attack? Just look at him now!

Credit: Care for Wild

These are the flying foxes your support is helping right now.

Credit: Protect Paradise

Get social with us!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for touching and uplifting stories, like this 28-year-old rescued chimp seeing the outdoors for the first time.

Credit: BBC Save the Chimps

From the News Desk:

Gulf Stream could collapse as early as 2025, study suggests. Read more.

75 suspects arrested in 106 rhinoceros poaching cases in Namibia during 2022. Read more.

Deep sea mining permits may be coming soon. What are they and what might happen? Read more.

EU passes nature restoration law in knife-edge vote. Read more.

World’s oceans changing colour due to climate breakdown, study suggests. Read more.

Government introduces law banning international shark fin trade. Read more.

Climate change is driving earlier springtimes. For some birds, that could equal extinction. Read more.

Three in every five wildlife crimes in Europe go unpunished. Read more.

Climate change spells ‘terrifying’ future: UN rights chief. Read more.

Orca Rams Into Yacht Near Scotland, Suggesting the Behavior May Be Spreading. Read more.

We are sincerely grateful for your generous donations and support in helping us tackle critical issues impacting wildlife around the world. Your support enables us to make a real difference for our planet’s precious wild animals.

Saving animals and the planet,

Campaign Director
Animal Survival International

Banner credit: ANIMA. News desk credits: Image 6: USGS/NASA/Landsat; Image 11: AP/Jay Janner/Austin American Statesman; Image 12: Stuart Westmorland/Getty.