A heard of elephants walking in the wild

Great or small, we love them all: celebrating World Animal Day in 2023

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Discover these incredible animals from the farm to the wild. Join us in promoting love for animals of all sizes and learn how you can make a difference today.

As we celebrate the year’s theme for World Animal Day, Great or Small, Love Them All, we’re reminded that every creature, no matter how big or small, plays a vital role in our lives. Let’s take a journey into the fascinating world of lions, elephants, chickens and pigs. Prepare to be even more amazed.

Lions

A group of wild lions feeding

Social royalty

Lions are not only the kings of the jungle; they also have a royal social structure. They live in prides led by a dominant male and are known for their strong bonds with one another.

A roar to remember

A lion's roar can be heard from up to 5 miles away—that’s nearly 70 football pitches’ distance away. These booming vocals help them communicate with pride members and establish their territory.

Terrific teamwork 

Even when hunting, lions display remarkable teamwork. They work together to surround and bring down their prey. Not only during the hunt, they also ensure that everyone gets a share of the meal afterwards.

Elephants

Elephants in a sanctuary

Gentle giants

Elephants give birth to the largest babies—with newborn calves weighing in at over 100kg. Elephants are known for their immense size, but they are also gentle and highly intelligent animals. They have incredibly complex emotions and strong family bonds.

It takes a village

Elephant families are matriarchal, and the females of the herd all look after each other’s babies—this not only helps keeps them safe, but it also teaches older siblings how they will mother their own calves someday. Learning from adults is one of the many reasons why elephants should be left in the wild where they belong.

Environmental advocates

Did you know that elephants play a crucial role in maintaining their ecosystems? When an elephant uproots a trees when feeding or scratching, they shape landscapes to create watering holes that benefits other species living in the same area.

Chickens

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Ancient companions

Chickens were domesticated over 8,000 years ago, making them one of the oldest domesticated animals. They've been our companions for nearly a millennium.

Diverse personalities

Chickens come in various breeds, each with its unique appearance and personality traits. Some are outgoing and friendly, while others are more reserved.

Natural pest controllers

Chickens are excellent natural pest controllers. They have a knack for foraging and will eagerly hunt and peck at insects, small rodents and even some plant pests in your garden. Having chickens around can help keep your outdoor spaces free from unwanted critters without the need for harmful pesticides. They're not just feathered friends but are also helpful gardeners.

Pigs

A pig at a free-range farm

Little geniuses 

Pigs are incredibly smart animals, often compared to dogs in terms of their intelligence. They can learn tricks, solve problems—even playing video games.

Sensitive souls

Pigs are the perfect mix of sensitive and playful. While noisy environments, particularly with unpleasant mechanical sounds, can stress piglets, research has shown that playing music to them has a positive effect. In response, piglets engage in more playful behaviour, often wagging their tails, reflecting a cheerful emotional state.

This supports our observations of the genuine enjoyment when interacting with humans and other animals, making them truly delightful companions.

Nurturing mothers

Mother pigs, or sows, are devoted parents. They build nests for their piglets, nurse them, and even sing to them to comfort and bond with their young. Because of this, researchers have found that piglets are able to recognise their mother’s voice when they are just 36 hours old.

A commitment to all creatures

While we've shared some amazing facts on these incredible animals, the challenges they face in our rapidly changing world are very real.

Now, more than ever, we need your genuine commitment. By signing a petition or sending an email, you can make a big difference. It takes as little as 30 seconds to create a brighter and more compassionate future for lions, elephants, chickens, pigs, and countless other species.

Will you help us transform the world for animals?

We’re fighting to stop people exploiting wildlife and give farmed animals good lives. Are you with us?

Take action

It’s important to reflect on the significance of this day: the diversity of these animals shows us the beauty nature has created, but more, the importance of preserving them—no matter how great or small.