Born Free USA Articles

The Evidence Against Ringling Bros. Is Irrefutable!

After nearly a decade of waiting, through often tortuous legal maneuvering, the elephants finally got their day in court. After years of circus industry denials about the mistreatment of animals behind the big top, the truth has finally been exposed for the world to see.

When You Least Expect It SNAP! Traps Maim and Kill like LANDMINES

Excruciating pain. Lost limbs. Even death. These are the results of trapping ... not only for the wild animals whose furs are stripped from their bodies, but also for family dogs and cats and even endangered species who are “incidentally” caught in the remorseless jaws of leghold traps, Conibear traps, or snares (cable nooses).

The Global Wildlife Trade: An International Disgrace

The global wildlife trade is a deadly business.

Rhinoceroses gunned down so their horns can be ground into fever-reducing pills or made into traditional dagger handles in Yemen. Mother chimpanzees slaughtered to satisfy the demand for wild animal flesh, their orphaned babies sold into the pet trade. An estimated one hundred million sharks fatally wrenched from their ocean homes each year for sport, for their teeth, or for their fins, which end up floating in a bowl of Asian soup.

The ravenous human appetite for wildlife parts and the products made from them turns gorilla hands to ashtrays, whales to canned meat, sea turtle shells to earrings, and elephant feet to umbrella stands. In the process, individual animals are mercilessly slaughtered, entire families are massacred, and increasing numbers of animal species are driven dangerously closer to extinction. This unconscionable wildlife exploitation is shameful. It is an international disgrace.

The Commercial Wildlife Trade: An American Disgrace

Captured by the thousands from exotic locations, few wild birds survive the long journey to distant pet markets. Primates, rare reptiles, and other species are traded as “pets” to people who don’t understand these animals’ specialized needs. Bears are slaughtered for their gallbladders and paws. Elephants are murdered for their ivory, and young elephants are forcibly torn from their families to be shipped to far-off zoos. Fox, ermine, mink, and other furbearers are ensnared in barbaric traps to provide fur for fashion.

Rescuing Animals, Worldwide

“Keep Wildlife in the Wild” is more than just a slogan. It’s the bedrock philosophy of Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute and our colleagues at the UK-based Born Free Foundation. Together, the global Born Free family works tirelessly to save animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.

Zoochotic: Is Keeping Wild Animals in Captivity Crazy?

On Christmas Day 2007, a 4-year-old Siberian tiger called Tatiana escaped her enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo, fatally mauling 17-year-old Carlos Sousa, Jr. and injuring two other men, brothers Paul and Kulbir Dhaliwal. The story instantly made international headlines and commentators from all backgrounds took to the airwaves to offer hypotheses of how such a dreadful tragedy could have occurred.

On Our 40th Anniversary, an Extraordinary New Chapter Begins

The Animal Protection Institute has never been afraid to do the right thing when it comes to helping animals. Fighting animal cruelty, suffering, and neglect, requires courage and vision.

In this issue we announce probably the most visionary step in our history. In a move that redefines the animal protection movement, API has joined forces with Born Free USA to become Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute.

Retailer Report

In addition to working toward federal legislation to limit transport times, API worked to educate grocery retailers about the cruelty of long-distance transport by sending information packets complete with a DVD of our groundbreaking investigation and a survey on long-distance transport. The survey included questions on how far animals used in meat products sold in their store traveled from farm to slaughter or from farm to feedlot, and whether consumers were provided with information such as store signage to make an informed choice when purchasing meat products.