As we close out 2024 and look ahead to a new year, it’s time to celebrate a year of meaningful progress, hard-earned victories and the challenges that have only strengthened our resolve to protect wild animals worldwide.
Around the world there are wild animals suffering due to human-driven cruelty and exploitation. More than 1.6 trillion wild animals, including elephants, bears and lions, are caught up in the global wildlife trade - used for entertainment, as pets, and transformed into products for fashion and Traditional Asian Medicine.
Our mission is to put an end to this cruelty by transforming the systems that allow it to persist. Over the past year, we’ve made significant strides toward this vision, achieving remarkable milestones for wild animals.
Here are just a few highlights:
Mapping Canada’s captive wildlife problem
This year, we launched our interactive wildlife incident map - a database of zoonotic disease outbreaks, wildlife trade issues and escapes and attacks across Canada. This map serves as a vital resource and advocacy tool, adding a layer of transparency to Canada’s opaque captive wildlife problem. It’s time that Canadian governments, both provincial and federal, step up for wild animals.
Progress on our campaign to end roadside zoos in Ontario
With the support of Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) and the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association of Ontario (MLEOA), we launched a municipal resolution campaign in Ontario, asking municipalities to adopt a resolution that calls on the provincial government to implement regulations to end roadside zoos and curb the wildlife (“exotic”) pet trade. To date, municipalities have adopted the resolution and we continue urging others to take a stand.
In August, our team hosted a booth with Zoocheck at the 2024 AMO Conference to promote our municipal resolution. We spoke to dozens of policymakers including mayors and councillors as well as Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Minsters. A big highlight was having the Mayor of Casselman ask Ontario’s Solicitor General, in front of the entire Provincial Cabinet, when he would respond to World Animal Protection’s campaign and pass provincial zoo regulations.
Left: Melissa Matlow with Mayor of Casselman; Right: Melissa Matlow with councillor Sean Kelly and Rob Laidlaw, Zoocheck.
On December 4, alongside Ontario MPP Lucille Collard and Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong, we announced the Bill 236, Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2024. This bill would address the issue of roadside zoos and the keeping of dangerous wild animals as pets by introducing mandatory licensing for zoos, along with annual inspections to enforce high standards of care and safety. It bans the use of wild animals for entertainment and requires facilities to meet clear licensing requirements, ensuring all operations, from major attractions to backyard operations, prioritize animal care and safety.
Moving the travel industry
In April, we released our shocking report, Waves of Profit, which revealed how travel companies are funding the slaughter and capture of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. The report was covered by more than 165 media outlets and mobilized over 2,000 supporters like you to sign our petition urging Get Your Guide to stop selling captive dolphin venues.
We co-presented with Transat and Intrepid to members of the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), Transat mentioned their work with us to remove all sales of captive dolphin venues, including hotels with dolphin pools and their interest in working with us on a wider animal welfare policy.
Advocating for Bill C-293, the Pandemic Prevention Preparedness Act
Throughout the year, we continued to work with Member of Parliament (MP) Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and other MP champions, advocating for the passing of Bill C-293, Pandemic Prevention Preparedness Act. The bill passed the House of Commons and is now being debated in the Senate – only a few more stages before it can be passed into law. If passed, the legislation would require the appropriate Ministers to address top pandemic drivers like live animal markets, the commercial wildlife trade and intensive animal farming. We will continue advocating for the passing of this bill.
Ending the captivity of great apes and elephants for entertainment
Bill S-15 is a crucial step forward in ending the trade and breeding of wild animals for entertainment. We’ve been working closely with other animal welfare organizations, including Toronto Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Granby Zoo, Assiniboine Park and the Jane Goodall Institute, to strengthen this bill and get it passed.
Two of our staff were invited to present expert testimony to the Senate Committee of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, where we urged Members to add big cats to the bill and strengthen the definitions of conservation and research. While Committee Members supported our recommendations, the inclusion of big cats was later ruled out of scope. However, amendments have moved forward to clarify that exceptions to keep and breed these animals for a ‘scientific research program’ must only be allowed if they improve the long-term viability of the species in the wild.
Collaborating to protect animals
Rescuing animals from cruelty and protecting critical wildlife habitats takes teamwork, determination and partnerships that span continents. This year, we've proudly worked alongside incredible organizations to make a difference in the lives of wild animals in need.
Here are a few of the life-changing missions we supported in 2024:
- We supported Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) in the rescue of macaque monkeys from the cruel dancing monkey industry.
- Together with FOUR PAWS, we rescued Chinh, a bear trapped in a bile farm for over 20 years.
- With our partners, Onçafari, we are monitoring maned wolves to support their protection.
- Xamã, the young jaguar cub rescued from the wildfires of Brazil back in 2022, has successfully been rehabilitated and released back to nature!
- We continue the fight to free animals like Baloo, trapped in cruel captivity.
- New places were designated as this year, including Living in the Forest with Elephants (LIFE). Together with the World Cetacean Alliance, we are setting a new global standard for wildlife-friendly tourism. Stay tuned to hear about new Wildlife Heritage Areas to be announced in 2025!
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None of this success would be possible without the dedication of animal lovers like you – thank you! As we embark on 2025, your continued support is crucial. While we accomplished so much this year, there is a long way to go in our fight to improve animal welfare around the world.
Join our community to stay informed and take action to protect animals globally.