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    • Shine a Light
    1. Campaigns
    2. Shine a Light

    Shine a Light

    Thousands of animals are kept in captivity in zoos, aquariums, mobile zoos and other entertainment industries.

    Many of these animals become lost in the numbers, just one of a group of fish, birds or other animals spending their days in tanks and cages. Very few have their story told and their life experience shared, their lives are hidden in the shadows. To be able to work for the rights of these animals, we need people to know them and connect with them as individuals.

    Here we shine a light on these individuals, by sharing their stories.

    Josh

    Josh

    Josh the monkey, a victim of the pet trade. Read our investigation into his sad story, published March 2018. Read more

    Published: 26th March, 2018

    Updated: 10th July, 2023

    Author: Nic OBrien

    Nigel

    Nigel

    Nigel the puma, a victim of the media industry Read more

    Published: 25th March, 2018

    Updated: 30th March, 2018

    Author: Nic OBrien

    Sasha

    Sasha

    Sasha the meerkat, a victim of the mobile zoo industry. Read more

    Published: 23rd March, 2018

    Updated: 18th June, 2021

    Author: Nic OBrien

    Lulu

    Lulu

    Lulu the turtle, victim of the aquarium industry Read more

    Published: 23rd March, 2018

    Updated: 3rd October, 2022

    Author: Nic OBrien

    Kate

    Kate

    Kate the elephant, a victim of the zoo industry Read more

    Published: 23rd March, 2018

    Updated: 9th August, 2022

    Author: Nic OBrien

    Zaire

    Zaire

    Zaire the gorilla, a victim of the zoo industry Read more

    Published: 23rd March, 2018

    Updated: 5th June, 2020

    Author: Nic OBrien

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    Latest

    • 3 Ways You Might Still Be Supporting Animal Captivity (Without Realising)

      3 Ways You Might Still Be Supporting Animal Captivity (Without Realising)

      Did you know you could be accidentally supporting animal captivity in subtle ways?

    • What do the 'new' zoo standards really mean for animals?

      What do the 'new' zoo standards really mean for animals?

      The new zoo standards are deeply disappointing and will do nothing to improve the lives of animals in zoos and aquariums

    • Isobel Bryant - Fundraising & Supporter Care Officer

      Isobel Bryant - Fundraising & Supporter Care Officer

    • Summer 2025 Raffle

      Summer 2025 Raffle

    Most read

    • 10 facts about zoos

      10 facts about zoos

      Here are ten facts about zoos that you need to know...

    • Zoos

      Zoos

      Animals in zoos are denied a life of freedom. A cage can never be their home.

    • Zoos neither educate nor empower children

      Zoos neither educate nor empower children

    • Aquariums

      Aquariums

      Animals in aquariums are taken from the wild and forced to live in tiny tanks.

    • Top 5 reasons safari parks are no better than other zoos

      Top 5 reasons safari parks are no better than other zoos

    • Top ten reasons NOT to visit Europe’s “Top Ten Zoos”

      Top ten reasons NOT to visit Europe’s “Top Ten Zoos”

      We take an alternative look at Europe’s “Top Ten” zoos suggest why you should give them, and any other business which holds animals captive for money, a wide berth

    • Animal circuses, animal suffering

      Animal circuses, animal suffering

      In this article we look at transport & life on the road, training, the performances themselves, the ethics, the scientific research, escapes, how it is legal for a circus to beat an elephant with an iron bar. We ask whether this is a relic of the not so distant past, highlight some incidents and look at the legacy of deaths.

    • Marmosets Continue to Suffer at Manchester Pet Shop

      Marmosets Continue to Suffer at Manchester Pet Shop

      Monkeys continue to be bought and sold as new Bill announced to outlaw the practice.

    • VICTORY: Wild Animals are Banned in Circuses in England!

      VICTORY: Wild Animals are Banned in Circuses in England!

      The Wild Animals in Circuses Act has finally come into effect, after over 60 years of campaigning

    • Circuses

      Circuses

      Animals including horses and dogs continue to be exploited in circuses in the UK.

    10 facts about zoos

    10 facts about zoos

    Here are ten facts about zoos that you need to know... Read more

    Published: 2nd November, 2017

    Updated: 2nd October, 2024

    No More Zoo Secrets

    No More Zoo Secrets

    Join us in demanding transparency from the zoo and aquarium industry that holds thousands of animals captive across the UK. - 8th April 2023 Read more

    Published: 8th April, 2024

    Updated: 17th January, 2025

    Author: Isobel McNally

    Take Action! Free the Sea Life Penguins

    Take Action! Free the Sea Life Penguins

    Sign our petition to demand that Sea Life/Merlin Entertainments free the gentoo penguins from their basement prison, contact your MP to support the EDM! Read more

    Published: 24th September, 2024

    Updated: 12th February, 2025

    Author: Isobel McNally

    Take the Pledge to Boycott Merlin Attractions

    Take the Pledge to Boycott Merlin Attractions

    Sea Life Aquariums are owned by Merlin Entertainments - take the pledge not to visit ANY of their attractions while they hold animals captive. Read more

    Published: 14th February, 2025

    Author: Isobel McNally

    Take Action Against Animal Circuses

    Freedom Champion Sign-Up Event June 2025

    A handful of UK circuses still exploit live animals. Are they coming to your area? Read more

    Published: 5th March, 2025

    Author: Isobel McNally

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    The Captive Animals' Protection Society is a registered charity, no. 1124436, and a company, no. 2086775, limited by guarantee in England and Wales.

    Registered address: Piccadilly Business Centre, Unit C Aldow Enterprise Park, Manchester, M12 6AE
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