In a crackdown on illegally trafficked 'trophy pets' rescued in Israel, the lions Ben Tzur and Ori will go to Animal Defenders International Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa

 

Dear Friends, Feeling a little exhausted but positive! Founders of Animal Defenders International ADI :  Yesterday, Tim and I returned from a whistle-stop 36 hours in Israel, preparing for the relocation of lions Ori and Ben Tzur to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. The lions were tiny cubs when they were rescued by Israel’s Nature & Parks Authority (NPA) in a crackdown on illegally trafficked ‘trophy pets’ that also saw a staggering sixty grivet monkeys seized. This rescue is another blow against wildlife trafficking and a chance to create awareness about wildlife pets. We took over the rescue at very short notice after Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary was burned in a wildfire, leaving nowhere for the boys – we also evacuated two of their lions Elsa and Lei-ah, while Panthera Africa is being rebuilt. https://voordierenblogger.blogspot.com/2026/01/yesterday-horrific-wildfire-ripped.html We still do not know how long the evacuated lions will be fed and cared for by ADI but anticipate it will be months or even a year away. So, with Ben Tzur and Ori coming to ADIWS as their first proper home for an indefinite period, we agreed it would therefore be in their best welfare interests to remain at ADIWS for life, rather than settle in, build trust with their carers, only to be uprooted for a 15+ hour journey to another location at some point. The South African CITES authority, who we must commend for the speed they have worked on this, also required that the import be to their permanent home. Animal Defenders Wildlife Sanctuary ( ADIWS ) A big project to take on, and one that will impact our other work. However, your support shows it has been the right choice. Hence, we were off to Israel for 36 hours this week. We have been working intensely since mid-January: hours securing permits, an inspection by the CITES authority and habitat modifications and preparing travel crates in case needed. We had a very productive meeting with the NPA team, planning the relocation, learning about the characters of the lions, feeding routines and so on. It may not seem as exciting as the actual rescues and relocations, but meetings, planning and coordination are what ensure animals are moved safely. We also got to see a little of their work at a local nature reserve returning vultures and other animals to the wild. Seeing Ori and Ben Tzur made all of the hard work worthwhile. These two youngsters will be growing up in Africa! Ori is quite shy and Ben Tzur is extremely friendly, confident and looks after Ori. The NPA team said he had brought Ori out of himself. Sadly, Ben Tzur has been made utterly dependent on humans and craves attention, wanting the social contact he would get from other lions. The traffickers drag the babies from their mothers when they should be suckling and receiving important nutrients and learning from their mothers. When you see people on social media pretending the animals adore them as they crave attention it is a lie. It is learned dependency born of being deprived of the relationships they really need. But there was a very important first impression seeing Ben Tzur and Ori – these are not tiny babies anymore! They are at least 10 months old, and huge. At the zoo they are being taught crate familiarisation. Each day they are fed in the travel crates, the doors are closed and they are given treats while inside - you will have seen us doing this as we prepare for a big lion or tiger move. This is the best way, as it enables loading without sedation and means the animals are calm and less stressed during journeys. We reviewed the process but unfortunately it confirmed the cubs are now too big for these crates. We are looking to resolve this by sending our crates or with construction of new crates in Israel. We hope this will be a minor setback and not add too much cost to the rescue. I still hope that the move will be before the end of February. We really need your support for this additional rescue and have a very narrow timeframe to raise the funds needed, including what will be the biggest cost to ADI – feeding and caring for these boys for the next 20 years. Please donate for Ori and Ben Tzur. Donate here Yours for the animals Jan Creamer, President

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Video and 16 photos: Vietnam will stop with bear bile farming in 2027 : Therefore a race against the clock where hundreds of bears living for decades in cages in deplorable conditions are to be rescued by Animals Asia

 With Spring's new growth celebrating warmth and sunshine in Vietnam, this week could not have been more appropriate to have been invited by the authorities to rescue more bears. At lightning speed, conversations turned into action, and we were driving to the government offices of the Hanoi Forest Protection Department to meet the officials who had transported three bears from two bear farms, after the farmers had been willing to give them up. 

The team discusses final details before the rescue begins.

The farms were in the notorious stronghold of bear bile farming – Phung Thuong, on the outskirts of Hanoi – and we were relieved to be heading back there again. The previous months had seen a re-organisation within government departments across the country, and consequent delays in such rescues, but now we could be optimistic that the authorities were committed to their confiscation of the bears, and to the spirit of our Memorandum of Understanding that, together, we would end bear bile farming in Vietnam.

The Head of FPD Phung Thuong, Mr Ha greets Jill, Heidi, Trinh and team on arrival at the FPD premises housing the bears.

Arriving at the office building just after 7am, we were immediately greeted by the wonderful Mr Ha, Head of the Hanoi Forest Protection Department Unit 5, beaming from ear to ear, despite the fact that he and his colleagues had stayed over at the office to guard the bears, all sleepless night.

Just as we were getting over that surprise, Heidi, our Vietnam Director, our bear and vet team and I were invited by Mr Ha to meet the bears who had languished in cages on the farms for almost 20 years.

Our first glimpse of the bears in the care of FPD - Bud sleeping off that morning's transfer anaesthetic.

Just behind him was a cage with one very sleepy bear who had been anaesthetised at dawn that morning and brought over from the farm. Looking surprisingly well on the surface, we knew not to be over confident of his or her health given the years of bile extraction this bear would have suffered. Confidently, we all looked at what we were sure was a male bear – long and strong, with handsome boy looks, we named this bear Bud for the vibrant growth of spring.

Just behind Bud were another two cages containing two feisty females who we quickly named Bloom and Sprout, again in celebration of the new beginnings of spring. All three bears were now safely in the FPD's own wildlife cages and now our vet and bear care team had the challenging task of transferring them consciously into our own transport cages in preparation for the two-day journey home by road.

Bud is encouraged by rescue team member Tot, to transfer from the FPD cage to Animals Asia's transport cage for the trip home to Bach Ma.

While it took some time, Bud and Bloom were eventually coaxed into the cages by our resourceful and patient team. Tot and Nhung were especially calm and professional as they won the bears' confidence, with a little help from spoonfuls of caramel sauce and raspberry puree – and now they were loaded carefully on to the truck. After transfer to the transport cage, Bloom is moved out of the building ready for loading onto the truck.

Poor Sprout was so stressed throughout, and despite what must have been whole bunches of chopped bananas gently encouraging her from cage to cage over the next two hours, her nerves got the better of her and she stayed firmly put in her original cage. Vets Huong and Han decided that the government cage was robust and would be safe to feed and clean Sprout on the road, and she too was now loaded onto the back of the truck.

Bloom is moved to the truck for loading. 

Soon, we were waving Mr Ha and the officials farewell as we piled into the bus ready to follow our three new bears home to their new sanctuary in Bach Ma National Park in central Vietnam. Animals Asia's truck - a secure space for the bears on the journey home.

The next two days went by in a blur as the most dedicated carers, led by our Bach Ma Sanctuary Manager, Thuy, stopped every two or three hours to water, feed and clean the bears, to make notes of anything unique about every individual; to record if they ate or left kibble, how calm or reactive they were, and perhaps remember if one liked carrots, or another liked pears. Notes that would not only help on the journey but once they arrived back at the sanctuary, to assist with their ongoing care.

Stops are made along the way to feed and water the bears and check on their well-being.

At the back of the truck, we could hear Bud vocalising and moving around, now that the anaesthetic had worn off. Vet Han had been on a mission to determine the gender of this bear, and was now almost certain that Bud was a female. With that news announced, there were sheepish smiles all round knowing that this gorgeous, boyish bear had fooled almost the entire team.

Our bear Bud at loading time. 

As the feeding breaks continued along the road, we wondered what the bears would be thinking each time. Previously on the farm, with groups of people around them, this would often have meant one thing – the painful extraction of their bile. Now people gathering around them heralded only gentle voices, water bowls filled and a rich rainbow tapestry of dragon fruits, apples, carrots, oranges, bananas and kibble. 

On the road bear care every two to three hours. 

Being at the back of the truck where the doors open to the outside world, Sprout took on the role of gate-keeper – and gave warning "huffs" as our team of carers hopped nimbly inside and began chopping up their food. After a few seconds, all three curious faces turned towards the delicious smells as something told them that these strange, but tempting, delights were all for them. Noses exploring, food bowls emptying, and we could even celebrate such milestones that they were pooping normally too!

All of the bears have dry, cracked pads from years of standing only on cage bars.

Initial observations of them all revealed that there were wounds on Bloom's head from previous head rubbing on the bars of her farmed cage, and all three bears had cracked and calloused pads from the years of standing only on cage bars. Future health checks will inevitably reveal more but, for now, they were bright, curious and feisty – and alive.

On the second day, they continued to do well. it was clear that they continued to eye us with caution as they ate, but perhaps just a little less suspiciously than before. We knew that it would be a while before they would trust people for the very first time, but meanwhile, it was special to see them exploring food that they had never tasted before. Sprout suspiciously picked a piece of dragon fruit out of her bowl, before placing it on the back of her "dinner plate" paw. And sniffed. Finally reassured that this morsel was really OK to eat, she tucked in with gusto. I couldn't help smiling, knowing that once she enjoyed such treats every day, and her confidence had returned, she would likely become picky with her food!

And what must they have thought when everyone jumped back off the truck? Nothing hurt them, tummies full, before the truck doors closed, and the rumble of the road lulled them back to sleep.

Bud, Bloom and Sprout arrive at the Bach Ma Bear Rescue Centre.

Finally, we rolled into Bach Ma that evening – and again I wondered what on earth they were thinking. From a dingy bear farm in a noisy street of Hanoi, to the forest of the National Park, with its choir of langurs hooting, birds singing, and the vision and smell of nature all around.

Bloom enters the Quarantine Area at Bach Ma, where the three bears will spend time adjusting to their new surroundings. 

I think we all shed a tear as Bear Manager Ellie and team slickly offloaded them all from the truck and transferred them into quarantine. Here they'll spend 30 days being cared for, understood and loved, until finally being integrated together with new friends, and placing bar-weary paws onto sweet earthy grass.

Bud transfers into her double-size quarantine cage - the first step on the road to her recovery. 

Over those two remarkable and emotional days, I thanked the heavens for a team whose only focus was those three broken bears. Professional, seamless and smiling throughout as they joined together to give these bears sanctuary. Bud, Bloom and Sprout are home.

And with endless gratitude to all the government departments of Vietnam who are implementing the full letter of the law and helping these animals to finally take their steps from farms to freedom.

Thanks to Mr Ha, Mr Linh and the FPD Phung Thuong team whose tireless work resulted in this rescue. 

And last but not least, our deepest thanks to those reading this Blog who have helped us to reach and rescue 703 bears, and to those who will help us free more. The promise we have made together draws closer… … as no bear is left behind.

Three Syrian brown bears were rescued after years of unimaginable suffering in filthy cages in Armenia: The rescue after a public tip-off took 12 hours

Confined to filthy cages and denied even the most basic care, the bears were discovered during an investigation by our partners, Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) following a public tip-off. 

Aram, the male bear, has broken teeth and infected gums, according to IAR

This rescue was perhaps the most difficult one FPWC have carried out and took over 12 hours. The rescue involved a court-ordered confiscation, police intervention, and transport under heavy rain and darkness.

The male bear, Aram, was held captive for 12 years and repeatedly bred with Nairi, a female taken from the wild. Lola, their young daughter, was still imprisoned with them, while previous cubs had been taken and sold. 

This difficult rescue started when the team arrived at the property at 9 am, but the bear’s owner refused entry despite a legal order. After a prolonged standoff, they finally gained access as night fell and worked into the night to sedate and remove the bears from their appalling conditions.

Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue, who was at the rescue, said: “These were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen. The stench, the filth, the sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages and feeding them cola, it was absolutely horrific.”

Now safe at FPWC’s wildlife rescue centre in Urtsadzor the bears are receiving urgent veterinary care. Aram suffers from broken and infected teeth, likely caused by years of poor diet and neglect. All three are in quarantine and under close observation.

We are launching an urgent appeal to fund the ongoing care of these three bears and to help complete a new sanctuary where Aram, Nairi, Lola, and their previously rescued son Noah can live together safely. The cost of caring for one bear is over £7,500 per year. With three, the annual care alone exceeds £22,500, excluding the significant costs of the veterinary care and the cost of the rescue mission itself.

Thanks to two generous donors, all donations to the appeal will be matched, doubling every pound raised.

To donate and support the urgent care and future home for these bears, visit: Urgent Bear Family Rescue

Tragic fire claims The Life Of 'Happy Cat Sanctuary' founder Christopher Arsenault and more than 100 cats (He tried to rescue them)

www.worldanimalnews.com   One of the cats with Christopher in happy moments last year

 

A devastating fire erupted on March 31, 2025, at the Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford, Long Island, leaving the community heartbroken. The fire claimed the life of Christopher Arsenault, the sanctuary’s founder, and tragically killed more than 100 rescued cats. The loss of both the animals and Arsenault has shattered the animal welfare community in Long Island. 

Chris Arsenault, 65, founded the Happy Cat Sanctuary in 2006, driven by the pain of losing his 24-year-old son, Eric, in a motorcycle accident. In the wake of his son’s death, Arsenault sought healing by rescuing abandoned and abused cats, transforming his home into a beloved sanctuary. Over time, his sanctuary flourished, offering a safe haven to numerous rescued cats. At the time of the fire, about 300 cats called the sanctuary their home.

The fire broke out around 7:15 a.m. on Monday, and despite the heroic efforts of firefighters, the sanctuary was completely destroyed. Arsenault sadly perished while trying to save many of the animals he cared so deeply for. Miraculously, as many as 200 cats survived, though many suffered burns and smoke inhalation. These survivors are now receiving medical attention at local animal hospitals, where their condition is being closely monitored.

The Suffolk County SPCA has stepped in to offer vital assistance, deploying a mobile animal surgical hospital to provide medical care for the surviving cats. Neighbors and volunteers have rallied together, many expressing both grief and admiration for Arsenault’s unwavering dedication to the animals. While the sanctuary had occasionally faced complaints from some community members, inspections confirmed that it met all necessary animal welfare standards.

In addition, Paws of War is playing a key role in the recovery process. Over the next two weeks, a team of volunteers will carefully relocate the cats from Arsenault’s property to a temporary shelter, where they will receive the medical attention they need to recover and become healthy enough for adoption. In the meantime, the cats are either being transferred to another sanctuary or treated on-site, through the support of Paws of War, a nonprofit organization devoted to animal rescue.

Chris Arsenault’s life was a testament to his love and compassion for animals. His sanctuary was more than just a place for rescued cats – it was a place of healing for both the animals and Arsenault himself. The loss of Arsenault is deeply felt by his community, but his legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the cats that he has saved. As the community continues to mourn his tragic passing, efforts to care for the surviving cats and honor Arsenault’s memory remain at the forefront.

“We have over 200 cats that are still being secured and will need vetting, vaccinating, and rescues to step up and help us secure them. Please donate anything you can. We are absolutely devastated and distraught over the loss of Chris and the sanctuary,” shared the Happy Cat Sanctuary on their Facebook page.

Authorities are actively investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

If you would like to help the cats who survived this devastating fire, please consider donating to the Happy Cat Sanctuary HERE!

Good News!! 10 year anniversary FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary Netherlands: Slovakia bans circuses see the rescue of the last 2 tigers confined to circuswagons

Rescue Tigresses Kenya and Samba

A new beginning for the last circus tigers in Slovakia

Free at last !! 

In October 2024, FOUR PAWS was contacted by Sloboda Zvierat, a Slovakian civil association working for the welfare of animals, to help find a permanent home for originally three female ex-circus tigers. The three female tigers named Kenya, Samba and Princess, belonged to Circus Aleš, a Czech circus that mainly travels and performs in Slovakia.    

Confined to circus wagons for over a year

The exploitation of wild animals in circuses was banned in Slovakia in 2018. As a result, tigers are no longer used in performances, but the circus has still been allowed to keep them. For more than a year, these tigers have been tragically confined to their small circus wagons, with each tiger having approximately 10 square metres of space. Samba and Kenya share a compartment as they get along well, while Princess is kept in a separate compartment. 

Circus wagon where the tigers had to survive in

These unnatural conditions have completely deprived them of the chance to live out their natural instincts and fulfill their basic needs to exercise, roam, and play.

Confined in a circus wagon

FOUR PAWS has agreed to rescue these tigers and take them to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, Netherlands in January 2025. There, they will finally receive the care they deserve and live in a species-appropriate environment. Once these tigers are rehomed, the local authorities will no longer permit circuses with banned animals (including big cats) to enter the country.

At FELIDA, the tigers will be in great company. Earlier this year, we rescued Manuschka, a former circus lioness who was also voluntarily handed over by her circus family. Later this year we also rescued Diego, a lion who was at risk of being sold for hunting, but he is now enjoying life in his forever home.

A new wonderful life

Princess was in a critical condition

Our Wild Animal Rescue & Advocacy team, along with our expert wildlife veterinarians, visited the tigers to assess their health and provide vaccinations, ensuring they can safely travel to the Netherlands. Unfortunately, years of inadequate care has taken a toll on them both physically and emotionally. Princess was severely ill and when our team examined her, she was already in a critical condition. Tragically, we knew that it may already be too late to save her, but worked with veterinary experts to determine the best course of action to help her.

A heartbreaking update

Our expert veterinarians examined Princess under anaesthesia and collected blood samples that were immediately analysed. They also performed ultrasounds and X-rays, and collected a urine sample. The two-hour intense health examination unfortunately revealed several problems including kidney disease and liver disease. Due to the severity of her condition and based on the veterinarians’ expertise and years of experience, they concluded that the kindest option for Princess and her welfare at this stage of her disease would be euthanasia.  

We spoke with the owner, explained the situation, and he agreed to let her go. We also gave him time to say goodbye to Princess. Big cats that are kept in unsuitable conditions often suffer from chronic illness. We are heartbroken as we wanted to bring all three last circus tigers of Slovakia to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. However, we will continue our efforts to bring Kenya and Samba to their new home in the Netherlands in January 2025. Rest in peace dear Princess, you will not be forgotten.

Arrival at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

After a 12-hour drive from Slovakia to the Netherlands, the 14 year old former circus tigers Kenya and Samba have arrived safe and sound at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. They managed the journey wonderfully, with the vet checking on them regularly throughout the night.

Kenya was the first to be released into her indoor enclosure. She immediately began exploring, accepted food from her caretakers, and showed a calm and curious demeanour. Moving her to the neighbouring enclosure was a bit of a challenge – she loved her new space so much she didn’t want to leave! But with gentle encouragement, she eventually made her way over. Kenya is a very brave tigress. She is already grooming, relaxing and even showed the caretakers a belly roll!  

My new life after years of torture in a circus jumping through burning hoops.  

This was their life. The cruelty the animals experience to be forced to jump through burning hoops is horrific

Once Kenya was settled, Samba had her turn. Kenya waited nearby, encouraging Samba to leave the transport crate with little cuffs. When she was out, Samba also accepted food and drank from her water bowl, which are goods signs. However, compared to Kenya, she needs more time to settle in and relax. The team is observing her, and Samba will require their close attention to trust the situation and to be able to calm down.  

For now, Kenya and Samba will stay in their separate indoor enclosures to adapt further. Over the coming days, caretakers will carefully assess their behaviour and health to create tailored care plans that meet their individual needs.

Settling into their new home

Since their arrival at FELIDA, Kenya and Samba have been making great progress, enjoying their warm indoor enclosures and the enrichment activities created by our dedicated caretaker team, with whom they have bonded very well. Samba unfortunately tested positive for internal parasites, so both tigresses had to stay indoors and separated to prevent transmission to each other and the other residents of the sanctuary. We are very pleased to say that the treatment was effective and the lab results came back negative.

After observing more and more positive signs between them, Samba and Kenya could finally take their first steps on the grass, into their new outdoor enclosure at FELIDA! They were a bit cautious at first, but once they crossed that threshold Samba and Kenya’s hesitations vanished and they were ready to explore their beautiful new home.