World Animal Protection UK

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Wild elephants in a row at Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Credit: World Animal Protection / Aaron Gekoski

Wildlife

Our work

Wildlife has the right to a wild life.

Around the world, wild animals are being ruthlessly exploited on an astonishing scale. 
At least 1.6 trillion wild animals are killed and made to suffer through people’s actions each year. 

 

They’re hunted down, trapped and farmed in captivity, all to be sold and abused for entertainment, medicine, fashion, pets and products. At the same time, wild animals’ habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Many have been pushed to the brink of extinction. 

 

This is an animal welfare crisis.
We must stop it, before it’s too late. 

Ending the abuse of wild animals

We’re fighting to end the abuse and exploitation of wild animals, and protect their homes and their lives. 

By raising awareness of the issues and inspiring people to campaign with us, we’re building a future where all wild animals live safely in abundant natural environments.

From 2021-30, we have three big goals: 

  • Disrupting cruel industries – we’ll show how commercial exploitation harms wildlife and challenge companies that profit from wild animal
  • Delivering better alternatives – we’ll find, support and promote animal-friendly products and humane, responsible wildlife experiences
  • Creating a New Deal – we’ll push governments to adopt a global package of laws, policies and practices to protect wildlife and habitats forever

The scale of the challenge is huge. But if we work together, we can change the way the world works for wild animals – for good. 

A tour guide and visitor sit and stand on an Asian elephants back submerged in water at a tourist venue in Bali.

Global wildlife tourism

Wildlife

Tens of thousands of wild animals are being beaten, chained and abused, all for the sake of entertaining tourists. Don’t add to their misery.

Sweden mink fur farm

Fashion

Wildlife

Brands are still making products from wild animals’ skin, fur and feathers. And most major fashion events allow this on their catwalks. Let’s stop fashion brands profiting from cruelty.

g20-wildlife-trade-hero

Global wildlife trade

Wildlife

Every day, thousands of animals are forced into the multi-billion pound global trade in wildlife. They’re sold as pets, used for traditional medicine, killed for food or fashion. Wild animals don’t belong to us, they belong in the wild.

Star tortoise

Wildlife. Not pets.

Wildlife

Millions of animals are suffering in captivity in homes across the UK. Royal pythons, bearded dragons, tree frogs, African grey parrots, sugar gliders and many more species have complex needs that can’t be met in our homes.

Elephant Rides and Shows – Five Myths

Elephant-friendly tourist guide

Wildlife

Right now, thousands of elephants around the world are suffering in the name of tourism - but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Photo depicting trophy hunting

Trophy hunting

Wildlife

Trophy hunting treats wild animals as commodities, fuelling a cruel and unsustainable industry. There is an urgent call to action to phasing out this blood sport once and for all.

Dolphin pod swimming in the wild

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