Raju's 5th Rescue Anniversary, ChangChill Opens, UniverSoul Circus in the Elephant in The Room!

Urgent: Send Riverbanks Zoo Elephants to Sanctuary!

On June 19, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden announced it will close its elephant exhibit! Now we must act urgently to ensure African elephants Belle and Robin do not remain in zoo captivity. Your voice is needed now to urge the Zoo to send Belle and Robin to an accredited sanctuary

ChangChill opens for business

June has been an incredible month for our wildlife and farming campaigns, which have reached new heights and generated exposure across the US.  We're so excited to share these highlights with you. Thank you for helping us achieve them! In 2017, Happy Elephant Care Valley began the monumental task of building Thailand's first ever elephant-friendly tourism venue.  The challenge? Transforming what used to be a cruel entertainment venue featuring captive elephants and an under-resourced staff, into a legitimate, high-welfare attraction. Along with several leading travel companies, we stepped in to offer our expertise and resources. 

Watch our latest documentary, Building an Elephant-Friendly Future, which captures this amazing journey from beginning to end and read more about the transition in the link below.

Chilli Tells UniverSoul Circus to Give Animals Some 'TLC' and Stop Using Them

Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas knows animals don't belong under the big top. So she's speaking out against UniverSoul Circus and urging it to end all animal acts. https://www.peta.org/features/chilli-...

Ingrid E. Newkirk writes that PETA and its' affiliates inspire caring people around the globe to shun the cruel use of animals for entertainment. Each week, we get results and, because of our persistence, stop massive animal abuse. Let me give you some examples:

PETA is providing an eye-opening glimpse of the misery that elephants and other animals endure in captivity. At a hideous zoo in Thailand, 4-year-old Gluay Hom and other elephants are tightly chained on concrete floors, jabbed with sharp weapons, and beaten to force them to perform for tourists. Many were seen suffering from bloody wounds, painful joints, and other ailments. Eyewitnesses also saw workers at the zoo striking crocodiles with bamboo poles and harassing a wailing tiger into allowing tourists to pose with him for photos. Such suffering isn't isolated to a single facility in a single far-off country—it's found wherever animals are chained, caged, and exploited for cruel entertainment.

In addition to inspiring families to shun zoos, circuses, and other exploitative animal "attractions," PETA and our affiliates are getting major corporations to end their support of cruel events. Last year, a PETA exposé of the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament shut down that violent spectacle in Thailand—and after releasing horrifying footage from the Chitwan Elephant Festival in Nepal, we're working to end that ghastly event, too. By informing and showing its sponsors that elephants were beaten and gouged with bullhooks—leaving gaping wounds on their sensitive ears and heads—and struck repeatedly with other weapons to force them to "play" football and give rides, we persuaded a wave of big companies, including Renault, Carlsberg Group, and Everest Insurance, to cut ties with the festival. Now, PETA and our supporters are keeping the pressure on Mount Everest Group to do the same.

These exposés by PETA and our affiliates, like others before them, have a tremendous impact on the tourism industry by opening tourists' eyes for the first time. Following years of campaigning by PETA, Buddhist temple Angkor Wat—Cambodia's largest tourist attraction—recently announced that it will end elephant rides, setting a compassionate example that we will use to push other tourist destinations to follow suit.

It is only your support that makes this and all of our life-changing work for animals possible. Thank you for everything you do for elephants, donkeys, and other animals who count on us.

Raju's 5th rescue anniversary is now just two days away, and our team is busy with last minute preparations for a big celebration! Our goal? Shower Raju with love and treats, and let him know how much he means to us. 

Raju's rescue story inspired people from all over the world to help elephants. With that in mind, we recently set a goal of signing up 400 new monthly donors. As of today we are only halfway there, but with Raju as inspiration, we believe we can still achieve our goal.

If you've ever considered being a part of Elephant Rescues, now is the perfect time to start!

After nearly 50 years spent in chains, July 4th, 2014 was the day Raju was finally set free. His tears that day, captured in a snapshot, touched the hearts of millions and made him a worldwide celebrity. 

Thanks to your support, Raju has now enjoyed an incredible 5 years of freedom!

Yesterday, to commemmorate Raju's "rescue-versary," the team at the Elephant Conservation & Care Center put together some special surprises! Here are a few pictures from the celebration.

Elephant in The Room

"Corporations Are People Too My Friends."

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.   Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Activism and Sustainability:

• Gun Safety & Gun Laws

• Cruelty Free

• Death Penalty

• Demand Action

• Sustainable Action Network

Fairness and Equality:

• Grammy District Advocacy

• Privatization

• Voters Issues & Gerrymandering

• Private Prisons & the War on Drugs

• Finance, Housing & the Economy Corporate Responsibility:

• Candidates, Bills, Laws & Protections

• Wildlife & Oceania

• Labeling & Transparency

• Comprehensive Captivity & Hunting Results Databases

Sunder, Raju 5 Year Anniversary, Shriners & Breaking Eyewitness Footage in the Elephant in the Room!

Breaking PETA eyewitness footage shows elephants who were forced to participate in the cruel Chitwan Elephant Festival being repeatedly struck and gouged with bullhooks—spear-like weapons with a sharp hook on one end—and their ears being violently yanked. Mahouts (handlers) also beat frightened elephants with other weapons, such as sticks and makeshift wooden knives.

One mahout can be seen repeatedly jabbing a baby elephant behind the ear to force her to "play" football. Right after the match, eyewitnesses saw that she was suffering from several fresh, painful, bloody wounds.

When these elephants aren't being forced to perform at this festival, they're used for rides by tourists visiting Chitwan. Elephants who are forced to "play" football or give rides are controlled through physical violence and psychological domination. They're chained and beaten with bullhooks or other weapons and constantly threatened with violence to keep them afraid and submissive.

Elephants used for polo "games," rides, shows, and other forms of entertainment suffer tremendously. Even when not performing, they're typically deprived of everything that's natural and important to them.

Last year, more than a dozen companies dropped their support of the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Thailand after a PETA eyewitness exposé revealed abuse similar to that documented in Nepal, and the tournament's organizers ceased their operations in Thailand—making the Chitwan Elephant Festival the only event in the world in which elephants are shamefully abused for and forced to "play" polo.

Since hearing from PETA and our affiliates, Renault, MINISO, Carlsberg Group, United Beverage (makers of Pulpy), Kumari Bank, Mega Bank, JGI (maker of Ruslan Vodka), Chaudary Group (maker of Wai Wai noodles), Everest Insurance and Hotel Seven Star—which sponsored the event last year—have cut ties with the Chitwan Elephant Festival. However, Mount Everest Group, an advertiser at the festival, has no plans to stop supporting it. Please join PETA in urging the company to make the compassionate decision to stop supporting these cruel "games."

Shriners International: Stop Abusing Elephants in Circuses!

Shriners is well-known for its Shriners Hospitals for Children. However, Shriners circus fundraisers are rooted in harm to elephants and other animals. Generally, the money raised from these circuses does not even go to care for children at the hospitals. Raising money from the abuse of elephants and other animals is never justified. Tell Shriners International and Shriners everywhere to stop abusing elephants in circuses now!

See Sunder living his best life now – thanks to kind souls like you!

Today is a wondrous occasion for someone very special: an elephant named Sunder, whose story took a different turn because of compassionate PETA members like you.

For years, Sunder was held captive in a temple in India, where he was used to attract visitors and donations and was beaten to make him "listen" and "behave". He was kept tightly bound in heavy chains (often spiked ones) that left deep wounds on his legs. An injured eye, a hole in his ear, and the many scars on his body were telling signs of the decades of abuse that he had endured. Taken from his mother, denied the company of other elephants, and even refused the medical care that he needed, he was miserable and alone – and with no end to his plight in sight.

Sunder is beaten by his handler.

When he was 13 years old, staff members with Animal Rahat (an Indian organisation supported by PETA) persuaded the temple to accept the free veterinary care they offered Sunder. While that helped, it was clear that what he needed most was freedom from the abuse, loneliness, and exploitation he endured at the temple.

An Animal Rahat veterinarian examines Sunder at the temple.

With the help of PETA affiliates around the world, Animal Rahat soon launched an unprecedented drive to give Sunder a real life. Tens of thousands of kind PETA supporters – including Paul McCartney and Pamela Anderson – added their voices to the growing clamour for his release.

It took two years of determined campaigning, but the Indian Supreme Court ruled that Sunder should be rescued and rehabilitated at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru, where elephants roam nearly 50 hectares of beautifully forested land. Getting him released into his new home was another major battle, which turned dangerous when thugs punctured the tyres of the lorry used to transport him and beat up the Animal Rahat workers who were there to rescue him.

But just look at Sunder now!

Watch the new video of Sunder's wonderful transformation.

It has now been five years since Sunder stepped, curious, into his safe new home. Today, perhaps more than ever, he still enjoys the sanctuary and spends his days foraging freely in the forest, playing in streams and ponds, and relishing the company of other elephants – all things that he'd never had a chance to experience before. Animal Rahat veterinarians still visit him regularly and report how well he's being cared for at the park and how he's flourishing there.

On behalf of Sunder – and other abused, neglected, and forlorn elephants we want to help rescue from similar horrific circumstances, thank you for your compassion and support. You can see what it means to Sunder – and to everyone working for animal liberation.

As we zero in on Raju's 5th Rescue Anniversary (coming right up on July 4th), we're in the mood to celebrate with a special giveaway!

For your chance to win a cool Raju gift pack, featuring the items shown below, just sign up to get occasional free text alerts from Wildlife SOS. The gift pack includes: an adorable Raju plush toy, a limited-edition Raju coin, and a pair of socks featuring a rather dashing photo of Raju. 

We'll only text you when big things like elephant rescues are happening, or for our exclusive weekly wildlife video that's sure to make you smile. It's easy to sign up — just click here!

Elephant in The Room

"Corporations Are People Too My Friends."

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.   Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Activism and Sustainability:

• Gun Safety & Gun Laws

• Cruelty Free

• Death Penalty

• Demand Action

• Sustainable Action Network

Fairness and Equality:

• Grammy District Advocacy

• Privatization

• Voters Issues & Gerrymandering

• Private Prisons & the War on Drugs

• Finance, Housing & the Economy Corporate Responsibility:

• Candidates, Bills, Laws & Protections

• Wildlife & Oceania

• Labeling & Transparency

• Comprehensive Captivity & Hunting Results Databases

Elephant in the Room, Daisy, Samutprakan Zoo, Zimbabwe sells elephants 2 Pakistan, Happy, Jun & Gold

Almost 100 animal advocates rally for Happy's freedom

On Saturday, The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) who has been fighting in the courts for Happy the Elephant’s freedom hosted a NYC-based rally calling for the Bronx Zoo to release Happy to sanctuary after 13 years of solitary confinement.

At the rally, Change represented more than 600,0000 digital supporters who signed a petition asking for Happy’s freedom. And in a show of people power, the event was attended by almost 100 animal advocates —including Change.org supporters— urging the zoo to release Happy to sanctuary.

The event also featured moving addresses from Kevin Schneider and Elizabeth Stein of the NhRP, Voters for Animal Rights, In Defence of Animals and Change. And was covered by the NY Post and News 12 The Bronx.

As the fight for Happy's freedom continues, Change will continue to keep supporters updated on offline and online actions.   

A breaking new PETA video exposé of Thailand's Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo shows the abuse endured by a suffering baby elephant made famous by a recent National Geographic feature. 

As the footage shows, elephants at the facility are chained for most of their lives and stabbed with sharp metal implements in order to coerce them into dancing, bowling, and performing other uncomfortable and confusing tricks. By paying to see these acts, tourists supported the abuse.

The elephants weren't offered any enrichment opportunities and were only unchained when being forced to perform tricks or give rides to tourists. They constantly swayed from side to side, which is a sign of mental distress.

In nature, elephants don't carry humans on their backs or perform uncomfortable and confusing tricks.

Other animals were also treated cruelly in order to entertain tourists. Workers beat crocodiles with bamboo sticks during shows, and a tiger was harassed so that tourists could pose with the animal for photos.

PETA has submitted its findings to Thai police, but we need your help, too. The best thing that you can do to help elephants and other animals exploited for tourism is to make compassionate travel decisions by never patronizing businesses that exploit wild animals or allow direct contact between humans and the animals—even facilities that claim to be sanctuaries.

Please also help us urge Trip.com, a company that offers tours that visit Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo, to remove this exhibit from its itineraries immediately.

Take Action Now

Just two months ago, Daisy was one of the last captive elephants in Delhi, a city of nearly 19 million people. For 51 years, day in and day out, she was forced to work on busy streets and blazing hot pavement... and beaten if she didn't comply. There was no veterinary care, no nutritious food, and no love or companionship.

Now, thanks to you, Daisy's whole world is completely different. She walks in the forest each morning, and later can only be lured out of the big pool by the enticement of delicious and healthy food. Her wounds are being treated; her battered feet are being tended to with care. Maybe most importantly, Daisy now has dear friends in Erika, Lilly, and Ella. She finally has a herd to call her own.

Typically, many weeks and months of planning are done before we bring in an elephant. But the opportunity to rescue Daisy came quickly, and we had to act urgently. There was no time to prepare physically or financially for her arrival, but we knew that we couldn't pass up the chance to bring her to safety. She had waited long enough.

We need 200 people to support Daisy's ongoing care and treatment. Will you be one of them? 

We are sure you remember our crusade against the horrific trade in baby elephants from Zimbabwe to Chinese zoos.

Network for Animals has been a leader, fighting the trade for four years and, each year, our outrage grows at the terrible cruelty Zimbabwe authorities inflict on helpless baby elephants.

Well, it just got even worse!Baby elephants desperately need your help today!

We have uncovered VIDEO PROOF that Zimbabwe is capturing more baby elephants to export to Chinese zoos and elsewhere, even though it already has kept 35 babies penned up for months.

At first the authorities denied that any babies had been captured, then they admitted that the babies were going to be sent to one of China’s more than 15,000 zoos (Yes, FIFTEEN THOUSAND!) in March. That didn’t happen because Zimbabwe has not been paid, the elephants are still being held at Hwange National Park where they face a terrible future.

This situation is repulsive – each day that passes makes it more difficult to return the babies to the wild, yet the alternative is even worse; lives of hell in Chinese zoos.

We need to act now because we have learned Zimbabwe is planning to capture another 20 babies for export to China and elsewhere.

Our undercover team penetrated tight security in the Hwange National Park…

Our team obtained VIDEO PROOF THAT TWO MORE, VERY YOUNG BABIES HAVE BEEN CAPTURED in the last few days!

These babies are destined for Pakistan and are being held separately from the 35 babies previously caught and which are displaying increasingly aggressive behavior. Zimbabwe is treating these poor creatures as if they are mere objects without feelings or needs!

We have seldom seen such state-sponsored cruelty in the face of the certain knowledge provided by scientists that separating baby elephants from their mothers is the worst kind of cruelty for elephant families.

"Corporations Are People Too My Friends."

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.   Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Activism and Sustainability:

• Gun Safety & Gun Laws

• Cruelty Free

• Death Penalty

• Demand Action

• Sustainable Action Network

Fairness and Equality:

• Grammy District Advocacy

• Privatization

• Voters Issues & Gerrymandering

• Private Prisons & the War on Drugs

• Finance, Housing & the Economy Corporate Responsibility:

• Candidates, Bills, Laws & Protections

• Wildlife & Oceania

• Labeling & Transparency

• Comprehensive Captivity & Hunting Results Databases