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Key Stats

World Animal Protection is the global voice for animal welfare, with more than 70 years’ experience campaigning for a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering. 

Farming stats: 

• UK farmed animal cruelty is at a record high. A record level of 139 million MORE animals are now factory farmed in the UK each year. 

• UK factory farming has risen 13% in a period of five years since 2017. The number of UK factory farms rose by 209, taking the total to 1,821 

• 95% of chickens are bred to grow so large and fast they are unable to bear their body weight and at least 1 billion suffer hock burns in any given year. 

• Our 2023 polling research with over 2000 UK consumers found that over two thirds of people think it is cruel that currently UK law allows piglets to have their tails cut off without pain relief – a practice that happens to 72% of UK piglets. 

Read our farming reports

Wildlife stats 

• An estimated 5.5 billion wild animals are being kept in cruel conditions on commercial wildlife farms 

• Between 2010 and 2020 the number of elephant venues increased by a staggering 134%. 3,000 elephants are bred in captivity and used in 246 venues for tourism, generating between US$581 to US$770 million annually 

• 20,000 bears are farmed for their bile on dozens of farms to sate the demand of the US$1 billion bear bile industry in China 

• Approximately 8,000 big cats are bred at 366 known facilities and used for multiple purposes in the US$43 million industry 

• There are still well over 300 dolphin entertainment venues with more than 3600 whales and dolphins kept in captivity for tourist entertainment. A single dolphin can generate between 400,000 and 2 million US dollars per year for a venue 

 Read our wildlife reports