AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection

BREAKING NEWS! 🐅

After weeks of secret preparation, today we managed to rescue six tigers from an industrial terrain in the German state of Saxony. Tigress Saphira and five of her young, just 1,5 years old, were kept in cramped enclosures and used for entertainment (first photo).

They are now on their way to the AAP rescue centre in Spain. Here, they will finally get the life they deserve: away from the spotlight, with space, respect and professional care. More info to come! 💚🐾

Filix and Xarly, two Barbary macaques recently rescued from a private owner in Germany, have had their first veterinary check-up at AAP’s rescue centre in Spain. And what our veterinary team discovered during Filix’s examination has left us speechless...

Filix was made to wear a harness so his previous owners could keep him tethered. As a result, he now has an open wound and a transverse abdominal deformity, leaving him with fat both above and below his belly – as you can see in the first photo from the examination room.

Both Filix and his companion Xarly are now recovering in quarantine (2nd photo: Filix in quarantine at AAP). They will gradually acclimate to their surroundings and continue to receive the specialized veterinary care they need. And although Filix’s injuries are a reminder of his past, at AAP we will ensure he has a safe and dignified future with others of his kind. 🙏

In Germany, there is no legislation governing the keeping of wild animals as pets. We think this needs to change – and the best solution is a joined-up approach across Europe. By clearly setting out which animals may be legally owned as pets, an EU-wide Positive List would help prevent wild animals like Filix and Xarly from ending up in private hands.

Will you sign the petition? https://www.europarl.europa.eu/petitions/en/petition/content/html?petitionNumber=0891/2025 💚

Photos: Héctor Sanz and Sergio Blanes.