Animal Defenders International

Animal Defenders International campaigns to protect animals and the environment. Our mission is to educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of cruelty to animals, worldwide. ADI is a major international force in animal protection.

We lobby governments at both national and international level on issues such as the use of animals in circuses and other forms of entertainment; traffic in endangered species, the ivory trade, and more. We have secured new rules for the cross border movements of endangered species with circuses in over 160 countries.

More recently, ADI successfully rescued and rehomed four lions to a partner sanctuary in the US and a baboon to the UK. This rescue was subsequently followed by ‘Operation Lion Ark’ – a huge airlift of the remaining 25 lions from Bolivia to the US – the biggest rescue of its kind, ever.

Our evidence of circus animal suffering has led to the closure of over half the animal circuses and two of the largest circus animal suppliers in the UK. It has led to national legislation banning animal acts and cities banning animal circuses all over the world. Our education programmes in schools and public awareness drives have opened people’s eyes to the plight of animals and the planet which we share with them.