Release Summer 2025

Release

Summer 2025

A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF FREEDOM FOR ANIMALS

CONTENTS

BECAUSE OF YOU! Zoo Awareness Weekend of action Page 1 Stats reveal animals die in their thousands in UK zoos Page 3 Mobile Zoos Mobile Misery report launched Page 4 Upcoming release of new investigation Page 6 The fight for penguins continues Page 7

Zoo Awareness Weekend 2025 The best Zoo Awareness Weekend ever thanks to you!

Zoos in the UK and Ireland hold hundreds of thousands of animals captive; animals who are living in misery, their whole lives existing purely to entertain humans for mere minutes.

Every year at Easter, we hold Zoo Awareness Weekend, a weekend of action dedicated to highlighting the suffering caused by zoos and aquariums at this industries’ busiest time of year.

Countrywide protests against zoos and aquariums.

Here are some of the amazing demonstrations that were held this year:

• • • • • • • • •

Belfast Zoo Sea Life Brighton Chester Zoo Dublin Zoo Edinburgh Zoo Knowsley Safari Park London Zoo Sea Life London Aquarium Twycross Zoo

And what a success it was this year!

Thank you to everyone who was able to join a demonstration this Easter!

We are delighted to say that this year saw an enormous amount of people take to the streets to protest against cruelty and say enough is enough! Animals are NOT here for our entertainment.

If you are thinking of getting involved in future demonstrations and outreach days, please get in touch so that we can help link you up with a local group in your area, or you can start your own! info@freedomforanimals.org.uk

Release | Summer 2025 | www.freedomforanimals.org.uk

Twycross Zoo

Dublin Zoo

London Zoo

Belfast Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo

Sealife London Aquarium Chester Zoo

Knowsley Safari Park

Protests over Zoo Awareness Weekend Protesters gave out hundreds of leaflets to zoo visitors across the UK and Ireland, even turning some customers away! We only hope now that those who didn’t turn their backs on this cruelty saw the heartbreak on the animals’ faces inside the cages and vow to them never to return!

But of course it wasn’t just on the streets that actions happened!

Many of our amazing supporters also took to social media to echo the calls of protesters, that animals are NOT here for human entertainment!

This is such a powerful tool in campaigning for animals and we cannot thank everyone enough for getting involved.

Sea Life Brighton

We also saw a huge increase in the number of people who have signed onto our letter to DEFRA, demanding more transparency from zoos and aquariums, to cut the lies they spout to the public.

TAKE ACTION No More Zoo Secrets If you haven’t had a chance to send your email to DEFRA yet, you can do so here: https://www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ no-more-zoo-secrets

Thank you to everyone who got involved in this year’s Zoo Awareness Weekend! You have collectively helped to make 2025’s event a huge success for animals!

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Sick lion pictured at a recent zoo visit, heartbreakingly forced to remain on display by being fed in front of a viewing area.

Zoo stats reveal shocking number of animals dying in zoos You have funded brand new research into zoos’ conservation lies!

This not only indicates poor care for animals, but it completely debunks the myth that zoos are conserving endangered species.

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The first stage of this research, undertaken this year, shows that animals are dying in their thousands, including endangered species that zoos claim to be protecting.

As part of zoo licence conditions, they must present a “stock list” to the local authority. This list shows how many animals are born, transferred or have died in the zoo’s care each year.

We have submitted requests under the Freedom of Information Act to every local authority in the UK to see these records. And what we are getting back is horrifying.

So far we have analysed lists from 75 zoos: • • •

44,620 deaths in total 60% saw more animals die in their care than were born there Almost 50% of the deaths were species in threatened categories

Zoos do not contribute to meaningful conservation, they do not benefit wild animals, they do not educate the public. In fact, they actively mislead the public, and animals continue to suffer in captivity while they make money from their exploitation.” Isobel McNally, Campaigns Officer

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Zoos use the conservation lie to excuse the cruelty and suffering they cause to animals, and to allow the public to feel happy about spending their money visiting. But we are here, with you, to expose these lies.

Thank you to everyone who donated to our recent appeal that has enabled this initial research. We will continue to call out zoos’ lies and make the public aware of what they are funding. You can still donate to this appeal here: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/donate

Order campaigns materials Live near a zoo or aquarium? Have a circus or mobile zoo visiting your town?

You can order leaflets and posters from our shop to help with demos, street stalls or leaflet drops: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/shop

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• • •

Together we can end this cruelty

Mobile Zoos, Mobile Misery - New report We are so pleased to announce that our new mobile zoo report, Mobile Zoos, Mobile Misery has now been published.

With your help, we will begin distributing it to many officials, including MPs, councils and schools, to encourage bans across public land, following the same methods we used to finally get a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

What we uncovered whilst investigating events for this report was shocking. Animals were found to be: • •

Transported and held in small, temporary enclosures Trapped without fresh water, shelter, and species-specific enrichment

Lacking species-specific care needs such as essential heat sources for reptiles Constrained and forced to interact with humans for hours a day Shaking in distress, and prevented from escaping human contact

Thousands of animals are being confined, transported and manipulated… all so that they can be put on display and forced to interact with the public as part of mobile zoo events.

Now, with you, we are calling for an outright ban on the use of animals in mobile exhibitions.

You can help by sharing the report with your MP, local council, local schools and anywhere organising a mobile zoo event.

You can download your copy here: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ mobilezoomisery Or request a hard copy by emailing: info@freedomforanimals.org.uk

TAKE ACTION Join the campaign to end travelling animal exhibitions once and for all - click here to send a letter to DEFRA today! www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ ban-mz-action

Adopt an Animal Today!

Looking for a great gift idea or just fancy treating yourself? Look no further!

We have eight amazing animals to choose from, and your adoption will help our work for both that species and all animals held in captivity for human entertainment.

The adopter will receive a certificate of adoption, stickers, a copy of Release, information about your chosen animal, and of course, a cute ecofriendly cuddly toy, all wrapped up in a box!

Choose your adoption today at www. freedomforanimals.org.uk/adopt-an-animal

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In April, we worked with local activists around the UK and Ireland as part of our annual Zoo Awareness Weekend.

Thank you so much to all of you who took part.

It was a privilege for me to attend the protest at Dublin Zoo, where Freedom for Animals, and our friends at NARA, Ireland, have raised serious concerns about the animals being kept captive there.

Andrew Kelly with Ruth Coppinger TD outside Dublin Zoo.

Note from our director Welcome to this summer edition of Release!

It has already been a very busy year for Freedom for Animals. Following the fantastic news at the end of 2024 that South Lakes Zoo had closed its doors for good, we discovered the owner’s intention to transfer some of the animals to another site near Tebay. We are now opposing planning permission for their new business proposal which will continue to exploit animals for profit.

Our campaign to free 15 gentoo penguins from a windowless basement at Sea Life in London continues, as do our campaigns to end the use of domesticated animals in travelling circuses and to end the exploitation of animals in mobile zoos.

We have been working on a project calling on the Irish government to end the keeping of elephants in Dublin Zoo’s tiny enclosure. This follows the avoidable deaths of two young female elephants last summer from EEHV, a virus which is harmless to wild elephants but is responsible for 60% of the deaths of young elephants in zoos.

So, 2025 is shaping up to be a very busy year for the FFA team – but of course we couldn’t do what we do without you – our wonderful supporters and fellow activists!

Sadly, I will be leaving Freedom for Animals at the end of May after three and a half years as Director. I would like to pay tribute to the fantastic and dedicated team here at Freedom for Animals, all of our volunteers and our incredible supporters. I know you will continue to help in the fight for freedom for all animals, and an end to the exploitation of animals for human entertainment. I hope you all have a great summer!

For the animals!

Director

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Coming soon….

We will soon be releasing a brand new investigation into the dark and murky world of bird of prey zoos.

Thanks to your generosity and the double donations appeal during The Big Give Christmas Challenge, we have been working hard behind the scenes on another groundbreaking investigation.

Investigators were deployed to work at three bird of prey zoos in England. Sadly what was found was another grim reality for birds in the UK.

Help secure our future with a Legacy Gift

As with our previous investigations into the bird of prey industry, these findings document a disturbing pattern of neglect - birds tethered, deprived of water and stimulation, bred for profit, and stressed by public handling. Their rights to freedom, dignity, and natural behaviour is completely disregarded... it’s devastating. - Laura Walton, Campaigns Manager

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We are currently working on creating a new video, alongside a report, to be launched with this campaign, to build even stronger evidence to expose this appalling industry.

It is only because of our amazing supporters that we are able to carry out groundbreaking investigations that show the true reality animals face in captivity.

Donate today. Together we can build a future without cages. Thank you. www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/donate

even when you are no longer here. You can play a vital part in securing our future for as long as our work is needed, by leaving a lasting legacy to Freedom for Animals in your Will.

Your legacy gift, however big or small, will help to fund some of our most important projects, from undercover investigations to government lobbying, as well as serving as an inspiration to others to push back against the cruel industries profiting from animal captivity.

Continue the fight for freedom even after you have gone.

As we come closer to our 70th year of campaigning, we invite you to continue the fight for vulnerable and exploited animals,

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If you would like to know more about leaving a gift in your Will, please get in touch with Laura on 0845 330 3911 or by email at lauratomlinson@freedomforanimals.org.uk We always recommend that you also speak to a solicitor. Thank you.

Sea Life Campaign One year on

What an amazing day! As protesters spoke over megaphones about the reality animals face in the aquarium, visitors started to leave the entry queue, some requested refunds from the attraction, and one even picked up a placard and joined the protest!

In February, activists took to the streets once again to help send a very clear message to Sea Life and its parent company, Merlin Entertainments.

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We will not stop until they end their penguin ‘breeding programmes’ and move the penguins they currently hold captive to somewhere they can experience a more natural environment. - Isobel McNally, Campaigns Officer

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Demonstrations took place in London, Brighton and Newcastle, with members of the FFA team, along with our partners Born Free Foundation, and the Daily Express joining protesters outside Sea life London Aquarium, where penguins are held in a basement.

Help end animal circuses

As the demonstration continued, news began to filter through that the penguin exhibit had been closed to visitors.

Eventually, staff confirmed that the area had been closed ʻfor maintenanceʼ and that the penguins had been moved elsewhere. When the enclosure reopened it had a ‘revamped look’ with the area simply repainted to improve the visitor experience. Sadly, zero improvements have been made for the penguins themselves.

Our incredible supporters also took part in the weekend of action through online actions, including taking a new pledge to boycott ALL Merlin Entertainments attractions whilst they are exploiting animals.

A massive thank you to everyone who made this weekend a huge success. With you, we will continue to do all we can, for as long as it takes, to get this issue into the public eye, and ultimately, get the penguins out of the basement.

We have recently launched a new interactive map so that local residents can mobilise to protest, and where possible contact the landowners or venues to ask them to refuse permission for animal performances on their land.

The aim is to draw together real animal lovers from across the country to unite to identify, oppose, and end animal circuses for good!

The fight for animal free circuses continues, thanks to you.

The circus season is in full swing and we are here with you to tackle this industry until they give up and go animal free!

Our Lives Left Behind report, released last year, showed that ‘domestic’ animals are still suffering in UK circuses.

With your help we can be ready to contact landowners to ask them not to host travelling animal circuses and push actions calling for an end to this cruelty and suffering, as well as provide campaign materials to protesters on the streets.

You can help today by donating to our latest appeal to fund the next steps of this campaign. www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/donate-circus

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YES I want to become a Freedom Champion Become a Freedom Champion for animals, by setting up a monthly donation today.

Set up a hassle-free, monthly direct debit on our website: www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/freedomchampion Or set up a standing order using the form provided.

Our Freedom Champions are at the forefront of everything we do. They help us to make plans in advance and be much more effective for animals.

By setting up a monthly gift, of any amount of your choosing, you can become a Freedom Champion. You will fuel vital work all year round to help vulnerable and suffering animals.

Will you join us as a Freedom Champion today? £5 a month could equip grassroots groups with materials to demonstrate outside of a zoo, turning customers away from cruelty £10 a month will power our work with whistleblowers, uncovering the hidden truth of animal suffering £20 a month could help fund an undercover investigation to expose the horrors of captivity and enable us to seek justice for animals Your monthly gift will drive behind-the-scenes actions to help animals.

When you join us today you will receive our new Freedom Champion sign-up pack: • • • •

A welcome letter Our funky Freedom Champion pin badge 15% off all of our merchandise Our supporter newsletter Release, twice a year

So please, visit www.freedomforanimals.org. uk/freedomchampion and join us as a Freedom Champion, or complete the standing order form included.

For too long animals have been exploited by people and companies who have stripped them of their rights and used them for whatever purpose they wish.

Together we can fight back and use our passion and determination to make a difference.

Until all are free!

Need to get in touch about anything else? Our new address is Piccadilly Business Centre, Unit C Aldow Enterprise Park, Manchester, M12 6AE. Or you can call us on 0845 330 3911, or email office@freedomforanimals.org.uk You can update how you receive communications from us by visiting our website or emailing us at office@freedomforanimals.org.uk 8 | Release | Summer 2025