Bali is working hard on a better animal welfare image for aimals in the tourist industry: animal rescue organisations are achieving hope abused animals

Umah Lumba is worlds first dolphin rehabilitation center and sanctuary. It was constructed in West Bali, Indonesia by the conservation authorities BKSDA Bali, Dolphin Project and JAAN.( Jakarta Animal Aid Network )

https://www.jaanindonesia.org/about-us  Jakarta Animal Aid Network

This facility created new hope for rescued dolphins who previously had to entertain visitors inside a hotel swimming pool. Seized by the authorities in August 2019, the dolphins were entrusted in our care. In the specially built sea enclosures, rescued dolphins can adapt to live independently in the sea again.‍

The dolphins seem to be having so much fun. In fact they are deprived of fish to eat untill they do what they are taught. It is unethical

Swimming with dolphins

‍In Indonesia and Bali there are a number of places where tourists can swim with dolphins. For many people that sounds like a dream come true. They are beautiful, graceful and always have a smile on their face (a purely anatomical feature that tells nothing about their emotions). People think that the animals are having a good time, which is anything but true.

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Dolphins should not live in captivity. After being snatched away from their families, they live with strange peers in pools that are way too small and in which they cannot hunt, play or communicate with other dolphin groups via sonar. In captivity, the animals turn off their sonar because the walls of the cage bounce off the sound: for dolphins, this is maddening. Without sonar it is not possible to catch fish themselves, so the animals perform every trick just to be rewarded with food.

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Sea turtle rehabilitation  

This new part of the program started in 2022 when we received sea turtles from the authorities, all confiscated from the illegal trade. Within one year, we received 109 rescued green sea turtles, all confiscated from illegal traders. Besides illegal wildlife trade, the main threat to turtles in need of our care is plastic pollution and ghost fishing net entanglements.

Removing a fish hook from a turtle

World's largest threatened bear cub rescue and the liberation of 3 bears enjoy 2 video's with a happy end

Success! Thanks to your kind support, 3 moon bears have been rescued from horrific conditions & we've closed down a bear bile farm. The bears, 2 males & a female, are now safely recovering in the Quarantine House of our Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary. Thank you to everyone who has supported this rescue!

It looks a bit strange but newly born bears have a balloon tummy. The bear is not illl

A key reason for bear rescues in South-East Asia is the illegal wildlife trade and the easiest target for wildlife traders are cubs. A mother bear would never willingly part with her cub, meaning most cubs traded have already witnessed their mother's death.

Free the Bears has become a world leader in rescued cub care. Some of the cubs we receive are as young as a month old. They cannot crawl and require 24 hour care, as well as 7 feeds a day.

Free the Bears hopes that one day rehabilitated bears will be able to be released back to the wild. This huge undertaking involves studies of bear behaviour and welfare as well as research on protected areas for safe release.

Meanwhile, these bears need to be looked after at our world-class sanctuaries.  They need rehabilitation, food, living space, enrichment activities, medical provisions and lots of care. We rely on your support to help us help these bears. Learn more about becoming a Bear Carer here. 

SEND A CUB CARE KIT

Electric currents and poison used to destroy monkey's brains at Vanderbilt University in US resulting in nothing of value for human health from this cruel and brutal experiment

 

Guianan squirrel monkey in Ecuador
ggallice (Geoff Gallice)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13276099

Three adult male Guianan squirrel monkeys (over three years old) were subjected to brutal brain damage—and then killed—to see the effects on the part of the brain controlling their hands (Sengupta et al 2025). The experiment was done at Vanderbilt University in the state of Tennessee in the USA, and approved by their animal use committee. It was supported by the US tax payer through grant NS078680, comprising many millions of US dollars, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a branch of the National Institutes of Health.

Before being subjected to brain surgery, the researchers determined which was the preferred hand in each monkey. With this information, they anaesthetised the monkeys and performed craniotomies in order to access the portion of the brain controlling hand movements. After cutting open the skull and determining the relevant brain region, they used a combination of electric currents and a poison to destroy that part of the brain. One of the monkeys had to have two such surgeries because the first one did not produce the desired loss of hand function. Another monkey had to have a second destruction surgery for reasons not stated. The monkeys were kept alive for as many as 46 weeks.

After these surgeries, the monkeys were unable to use their preferred hand normally. They were reluctant to use the hand for climbing and were unable to handle food normally. Whether there were other negative welfare consequences was not mentioned by the researchers. The monkeys were tested to see how impaired their hand use was and then subjected to additional anaesthesia and craniotomies to compare responses to stimuli with those that had been recorded before the brains were damaged. After this, they individuals were killed (euphemistically referred to as euthanized by the researchers).

Nothing of value for advancing the quality of human health was derived from this exceptionally cruel and brutal experiment. The public are repeatedly told that non-human primates are used in research only when absolutely necessary and only when there are no other alternatives available. This shameful experiment, which resulted in substantial suffering for the monkeys, followed by death, demonstrates the meaningless nature of such assurances and a lack of commitment to stop using non-human primates. Not only is the information in monkeys irrelevant to people given the fundamental differences between the two species, humane and ethical clinical studies have been and can continue to be done on human patients and volunteers in order to get data that are directly applicable to people. The monkeys in this experiment had to endure the stress of captivity, major survival surgery—twice— and death, clearly contrary to the Replacement criterion for the 3Rs.

What you can do to help:

• Click here – Dr Koroshetz – to create sample message you can edit and send to the director of the funding agency as well as those listed in box below; if you are using Web-based mail, use buttons below box to copy information to Clipboard for pasting into relevant parts of a blank message.

• If you are a US citizen, also let your President, Representative and Senators know that you do not approve of your taxes being used to fund such inhumane experiments: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
• If you are an alumnus of Vanderbilt University, let them know that you will not support the alumni association unless the university discontinues research on non-consenting beings: onlinegiving@vanderbilt.edu

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Cited information:

1. Sengupta, Anirban; Yang, Pai-Feng; Reed, Jamie L.; Mishra, Arabinda; Wang, Feng; Manzanera Esteve, Isaac V; Yang, Zhangyan; Chen, Li Min and Gore, John C. 2025-02-11 Correspondence between thalamic injury-induced changes in resting-state fMRI of monkeys and their sensorimotor behaviors and neural activities NeuroImage: Clinical 45:103753

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Craniotomy: This is a surgical procedure to access the brain. Typically, an area on the head is shaved. An incision is made through the skin and tissues underlying it, down to the surface of the skull, in such a way as to create a flap that can be pulled away to expose the skull. Depending on what type of access to the brain is required, holes may be drilled through the skull into the brain cavity, for example for injections, or a portion of the bone may be cut out in order to implant a bank of electrodes. When done, bone cement may be used to fill in the hole in the skull and the overlying tissues sutured.

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Information on NIH grant support (funding) is taken verbatim from relevant publications. If you have difficulty with any links provided, you can do your own search through the NIH RePORTER site: https://reporter.nih.gov/, by copying and pasting the grant number into the Search field on the form.

Be aware that some grants include funds for more than experiments on non-human primates.

www.actionprimates.org

In New Zealand children of all ages are encouraged to catch and shoot cats, with cash prizes for the most cats killed.( Graphic photos )

 

Introduced to the island nation by early settlers and left to breed unchecked, New Zealand is home to millions of homeless cats. Forced to survive on their own, these innocent animals hunt native species – a human-caused situation that the hunters are using as an excuse for their bloodsports. 

Credit: Facebook/North Canterbury Hunting

But the strawman of conservation quickly falls apart at the annual weigh-in, where hunters bring hundreds of animal corpses to try and claim the prizes. Here, hunters taunt animal rights protesters with dead cats and ferrets, dress up in outfits mocking local welfare movements, and drag dead animals through obstacle courses for ‘fun.’ 

Last year, facing international backlash, the hunt’s organizers restricted the cat-hunting category to those aged 14 and older. This year, the age restriction has been removed – now, if a child can hold a gun, the hunters will let them shoot cats.

Credit: Facebook/North Canterbury Hunting

Killing cats does nothing to protect local species. This is nothing more than a celebration of suffering and death.

The real tragedy is that the hunt won’t fix anything. As has been proven time and time again, killing cats simply creates a vacuum effect: More cats move in, taking advantage of the available resources and breeding indiscriminately, and the cycle of cruelty continues year after year.

There is a better way to protect both cats and native wildlife – and it works.

We’re fighting to end this horrific hunt by supporting humane, effective alternatives like Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) and rescue programs run by local heroes like our partner, Cat Rescue Christchurch.

But in a nation where even the government is slaughtering cats by the thousands, we need all the help we can get to save innocent animal lives.

There is a better way to protect both cats and native wildlife – and it works.

We’re fighting to end this horrific hunt by supporting humane, effective alternatives like Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) and rescue programs run by local heroes like our partner, Cat Rescue Christchurch. https://catrescue.org.nz/stray-cat-assistance/faq-2/

But in a nation where even the government is slaughtering cats by the thousands, we need all the help we can get to save innocent animal lives.

Touching story: Ukrainian soldier released from Russian penal colony after 6.5 years with cat Myshko who helped him survive the hell

 

He was imprisoned in a Russian penal colony for nearly seven years. Yet, Ukrainian soldier Stanislav Panchenko (26) did not leave that dark place alone. In his arms, he carried a silent witness to his suffering: the tomcat Myshko, who had been his support and confidante all those years. It is a statue that symbolizes the resilience of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the strong bond between humans and animals.

Karen Van Eyken 27-08-25, 11:13 Last update:  13:38  Source:  Ukrainska Pravda, Novyny Donbasu

•  62  comments

Stanislav was captured in January 2019 in the Donetsk region. Shortly afterward, he was sentenced to seventeen years in prison on trumped-up charges. His mother recalls how he was first held in a pre-trial detention center and then transferred to Penal Colony No. 32 in Makiivka, a city now occupied by Russia. "Everything was fabricated, a charade to hold Ukrainian soldiers as long as possible," she told Ukrainian media.   

 

                                                                          

Unexpected companion

What the Ukrainian soldier didn't know then: in those dark years, an unexpected companion would play a crucial role in his survival. One day (about two years later), a weakened kitten appeared in the barracks, found by a fellow prisoner. The animal was barely a few weeks old and barely able to survive on its own. The men decided to feed and raise the little one together. At first, they named the animal Myshka, but it soon turned out to be a male cat, and the name was changed to Myshko.

He became part of our lives in captivity. For many, he provided comfort in moments of despair.

Stanislav Panchenko

"He was more than just a cat," says Stanislav. "He became part of our lives in captivity. For many, he provided comfort in moments of despair."

Myshko soon became the barracks' mascot. The POWs made him a special carrying bag, decorated with inscriptions. The animal took on a special place in their daily routine: he was present during their conversations and offered moral support.

The carrying bag the prisoners had made for Myshko.  © RV

Pact

The men made a pact: whoever was released first would take the cat with them to freedom. "We didn't want him to be left behind and end up a stray," says Stanislav. "He belonged to us. To me." Even the Russian guards sensed their attachment. Nevertheless, they confiscated the travel bag three times. Three times the prisoners managed to retrieve it. "It may have seemed like a minor detail, but for us it was vital. It was the only way we could ever take him out."

The long road to freedom

On August 14th, the moment Stanislav had been waiting for for almost seven years finally arrived: a prisoner exchange. Along with 83 other Ukrainians—including civilians and doctors who had been held for over six years—he was released. As the ambulances transported the released prisoners, Stanislav clutched his bag. Inside, Myshko sat silently.

The medical staff looked in disbelief when I told them there was a cat in my bag. 'Alive? From the penal colony?!' they asked. I showed it to them, and suddenly everyone smiled. For a moment, it felt like the war was far away.

Back home

Today, Myshko lives with Stanislav in Poltava, in northeastern Ukraine. The tomcat is slowly regaining his weight and remains the same intelligent, affectionate companion he was in prison. For Stanislav, his presence is priceless. "We've been through hell together. Now we're starting a new life together."

Still, the soldier can't completely clear his mind. "I raised Myshko with a friend who is still imprisoned. I hope with all my heart that he can soon be part of an exchange too. He deserves his freedom just as much."

Symbol of hope

Today, the bars are behind him, and Myshko purrs peacefully on his lap. Their story is more than a touching anecdote. It shows how even in the coldest penal colony, humanity endures. Because sometimes freedom isn't just a door opening, but also the simple realization that you're not alone.

From pain and fear to smiles and trust: The wondeful achievements of Animal Aid Unlimited India ( video's)

https://www.animalaidunlimited.org/what-we-do/rescue/ This link to the rescue shelter is heartwarming. In India so much love and help for animals in need. 

No doubt about it. What gives Animal Aid the zing that keeps us uplifted even on the hard days is the magic of our staff who give their all to help animals. We had a chance to share love with one another on Raksha Bandhan, the holiday that celebrates the love and mutual protection of siblings and friends. We tied bracelets on one another's wrists and got an extra special chance to say "thank you." If we could tie bracelets on our supporters, you'd each be wearing 150 from wrists to elbows. One of our "magicians" is Nandini. She makes problems disappear, finds solutions out of thin air, and she seems able to defy the laws of physics by being several places at one time when different problems emerge simultaneously. Whether Nandini's expertise is needed to feed an orphaned juvenile dove or help an elderly and grumpy dog feel safe, her specialty is solving the "outlier" problems--animals for whom the normal treatment protocols might not be working as expected; shifting staff around to handle a sudden influx of patients or bad weather.  We're so grateful to our supporters who have given us the means to care for 1,000 ever-changing animals every day by 150 heroic staff members. With every breath, Martha's nose would swell as air leaked out of a deep wound. And thanks to you, we could save her. Blood had pooled all around her as beautiful Martha battled for her life. Martha had sustained a terrible injury to her head and face when struck by a passing vehicle. After rescue, we saw that the blood had come from a wound inside her nose, causing profuse nose bleeding, and, to our horror, we could see air expanding under her skin between her eyes as her breaths drew air into and out through her nasal passages.   When this wound healed, the rising and falling of her nose just between her eyes had stopped. She has survived the crisis of damage to her nose, but we would have to wait and see if she would recover from brain swelling. Wow, it was worth the wait. What a happy lady is Martha now!   When someone has a 50-50 chance to live, we give 100% effort. It just might work! Please donate Desperately wounded, Fawn must have thought the deep pit she'd fallen into was her grave.  The well was at least twenty feet deep. We don't know how long Fawn had been laying there, desperately wounded. It must have seemed to her that she would never leave; that this would be her place of death.   But someone saw her! Someone realized this sweet girl was alive and needed urgent help! Thank goodness they called us. We rushed to her rescue, and as carefully as we could, lifted her out of the pit. But saving her life was a process that had only just begun. Watch as we help Fawn, a dazzling young lady, climb out of pain, out of fear, hunger, and despair.   Love belongs to Every One.  We beat our best record in July! More than ever, our sterilization (Animal Birth Control) program is vital for protecting the community dogs and helping them safely co-exist among us. Sterilization is the humane method of population control that reduces cases of dog bites, reduces puppy deaths, eradicates rabies, and helps dogs be healthier and over-all happier. We're proud of our team who achieved a record number of sterilizations for the month of July!  Devilal has retired, famous among staff and volunteers for cleaning with style. Way back in 2004, when Animal Aid was still in its infancy, we got a tip (from staff-member Kamla!) that a man lived over there, up on the hill, who might want work as a cleaner. Fast forward 20+ years later, and we bow our heads as Devilal leaves a stage he has graced through rain and shine for many years. Devilal worked hard, (and believe it, cleaning up after animals for 20 years is no small feat.) Animal Aid will simply not feel complete without him. However! He lives just up the road, and we're hoping he will be a frequent visitor as a permanent part of the Animal Aid family. Young volunteer Kira, a delightful 8-year-old, sketched her map of Animal Aid and we love it! Everyone's experience of Animal Aid means something different to them. We were charmed to see the world through compassionate Kira's eyes. Too young to volunteer with the larger animals, she comes every week-end with her Mom and Dad and cares for the tortoises, chickens and sheep and is an absolute natural with animals.   Even your purchase will help stop someone's pain! 100 percent of the profit used to rescue injured and ill street animals. GO SHOPPING HERE We thank you deeply for all you do, are, and inspire for animals. Founding family Erika, Claire and Jim, and the Animal Aid Unlimited team. STAY CONNECTED:  info@animalaidunlimited.org | www.animalaidunlimited.org   Animal Aid Unlimited is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organisation. EIN 71-0884843   In India, Animal Aid is tax-exempt and registered as Animal Aid Charitable Trust 35Dev Udai2007   To unsubscribe from this email click here    To change your email preferences click here

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