Release
Winter 2025
A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF FREEDOM FOR ANIMALS
CONTENTS
BECAUSE OF YOU! Tethered, trapped, and fighting to fly Page 1 Elephants deserve better - and you’re making it happen Page 2 Your kindness in action Page 3 New Directors at Freedom for Animals Page 5 Festive campaign strikes again Page 6
a week at each site. What they uncovered was heartbreaking:
• • •
Birds photographed during recent investigation
New Investigation Reveals Widespread Failings in Bird of Prey Zoos New investigations at bird of prey centres across the UK have revealed shocking neglect and cruelty. Because of your incredible support and The Big Give matched funding challenge, our investigators have once again lifted the lid on the shocking cruelty taking place at bird of prey zoos across the UK. We wanted you to be the first to know about this. The full report will be released next month, but we’re sharing this early update with you, our valued supporters, to keep you in the loop on the vital work you’ve made possible. Our most recent investigation took us inside three centres, where an undercover volunteer spent
Release | Winter 2025 | www.freedomforanimals.org.uk
Enclosures often had no clean water, shelter, or enrichment Birds were kept hungry so they would perform in flying displays Although, since our 2018 investigation, some centres have reduced tethering, many birds are still tied down for hours, unable to fly or move freely, sometimes day and night
While the public saw polished “shows”, behind the scenes birds’ lives were dominated by confinement, control, and stress. Birds pulled at their tethers, tried to escape, and showed signs of anxiety and distress. These conditions are not just cruel – they break animal welfare laws, yet inspections remain inconsistent and the cruelty continues. But thanks to you, these birds are not forgotten. Together, we are turning evidence into action. Already, our findings are fueling our campaign for a permanent ban on the tethering birds of prey and to end the use of wild birds as props for entertainment. Birds of prey are born to fly free, not to be tied down or starved for the sake of profit. With your continued support, we will fight until every last tether is cut. You can help today by emailing DEFRA and demanding that they ban the tethering of ALL birds PERMANENTLY www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/ take-action-against-tethering-birds