Together, we can move the world to protect animals. This is not just something we believe or say, it’s something we do. Our community often comes together to support animals in their most desperate times. We rally behind them, move them to safety and help give them the life they deserve.
With all the bad news out there it’s easy to forget the good we’ve done. In light of our upcoming rescue of 30 macaques in Indonesia, we wanted to remind you of some of the many rescues you made a reality over the years.
2023
Mundi
Orphaned at two, Mundi was stolen from her home in Zimbabwe and brought to Florida, where she was shuffled between zoos and circuses. Subjected to years of solitude and forced to perform in captivity, her story is all too familiar for elephants used in entertainment.
In February 2023, everything changed. The US Department of Justice ordered the zoo's closure, and Mundi was relocated to the Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) sanctuary in Georgia, USA.
Today, Mundi is thriving, thanks to your generosity. She has found joy and companionship with fellow elephants Bo and Tara, and she even shares her food with them.
Recently Mundi celebrated her one-year anniversary at ERNA. Her story is a testament to the difference your support can make.
Photo: World Animal Protection / Katie Bryden
Ghitte, Hugh, Peter, and Bibi
Bear cubs Peter and Bibi were only eight months old when they were discovered walking through a small town in Romania, in August of 2023. The orphaned cubs were both desperate for food and water.
Not long after, seven-month-old Hugh was found orphaned. Being small and alone, surviving in the forest would have been impossible for the cub.
Just one month later, another young cub Ghitte was spotted crying for her missing mother at the edge of a forest. The eight-month-old female was desperately hungry and thirsty. Like the three other orphans, Ghitte was far too young to face the dangers of the forest alone without her mother to protect her.
Thankfully, all four cubs, Ghitte, Hugh, Peter, and Bibi are now protected by AMP Libearty Sanctuary, where they can enjoy nature, proper food and each other’s company.
Photo: AMP
2022
Delhi
Delhi, a female Asian elephant, was stolen from the wild when she was only three years old and taken to a zoo in the Czech Republic. She remained there for 36 years, suffering in captivity, with the last four years at the zoo spent in complete isolation after the other captive elephant died.
Elephants are highly social animals, and it was recognized that continuing to keep Delhi alone at the zoo, without any other elephants, was beyond standard practices and unjustifiable. After careful consideration, the zoo’s managers, city officials and zookeepers agreed it was time to end Delhi’s time at the zoo.
It was decided that Elephant Haven European Elephant Sanctuary (EHEES), Europe’s first elephant reserve, was the perfect destination for Delhi. EHEES construction was financially supported by World Animal Protection and was deemed to be an ideal location due to their specially designed space for elephants, offering 28 hectares of hilly landscape, trees, grass, streams and a large lake. Here Delhi can express her natural behaviours in a peaceful sanctuary with personalized care and nutritious food.
With the support of World Animal Protection and accompanied by a veterinarian for the 30-hour long drive, Delhi was safely transported to the sanctuary on August 24, 2022.
At 39 years old, Delhi began her retirement in her new home with fellow resident elephant, Gandhi.
Delhi and Gandhi together at EHEES
Bolik
On the 22nd of April, 2022, after a perilous 1,200 kilometre (740 mile) journey from a tourist resort in war-torn Ukraine, Bolik the bear safely arrived at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Romania.
Bolik, a 15-year-old male, was being held in a small cage in a tourist resort when it was bombed. The rescue was bravely carried out by a UK-based team called Breaking the Chains, along with other local and international partners who oversaw the co-ordination and negotiation of the rescue. The latter part of this rescue on the Romanian side to the sanctuary and the ongoing care was funded by World Animal Protection donors.
Thanks to your support, Bolik is now enjoying his days in the sanctuary’s large oak forest.
World Animal Protection / Philippa Swindall
2021
Ghandi
Gandhi, a female Asian elephant, was born in the wild, before being snatched and moved to a zoo in Europe.
Sadly, 52-year-old Gandhi has suffered a complicated and traumatic history, including difficult relationships with some of her own kind. Because of these negative memories, she was kept isolated from her fellow elephants for many years. Fortunately, her owners sought to offer her a better life, a place where she could gradually be reintroduced to other elephants in a safe environment.
In October of 2021, Gandhi was transferred to Elephant Haven European Elephant Sanctuary (EHEES). There, Gandhi enjoys several hectares of varied landscape, personalized care and a large space designed for elephants to make their own choices. She is enjoying eating watermelons, cut nettles, plum, parsley and lemon! She gets to live out the remainder of her life in this peaceful haven, thanks to you.
Photo: Elephant Haven
Chaman
Chaman is an Asiatic black bear who endured years of suffering for the cruel practice of bear baiting and dancing. Fortunately, she was surrendered and now lives with other rescued bears from the baiting and entertainment industry at the Balkasar Sanctuary in Pakistan.
Thanks to your generosity, Chaman now enjoys a peaceful life at the sanctuary. She bathes in the pool, enjoys the mild winter sun and loves to stroll during foggy nights. Chaman can often be found playing and chasing Babusar, another Asiatic black bear who arrived at the Balkasar Sanctuary in 2022.
Photo: BRC
All these rescues were made possible thanks to the support and efforts of animal lovers like you. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey to save and protect our precious wildlife.
Support our next rescue
Your generosity will help rescue 30 long-tailed macaques trapped in a cruel ‘dance training village’ in Indonesia. We are ready to go – we just need your help.
Together, we can ensure they are rescued and that our work continues to keep wildlife in the wild.