• Affiliated coalition, Dolphinaria-Free Europe, created a statement signed onto by 21 experts, testifying to the fact that cetaceans cannot thrive in captivity
  • Report on use of wild animals in performance was launched by ENDCAP. The report demonstrated that irrespective of their use (in circuses, dolphinaria, advertising etc), all wild animals used in performance have the same welfare concerns
  • Dolphinaria-Free Europe produces a literature review on what elements are compulsory when creating a sanctuary for cetaceans
  • ENDCAP/DFE members were involved in a multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss the future strategy against circuses in the EU
  • Report on the training needs of competent authorities in the EU to implement and enforce the Zoos Directive was created
  • A photo exhibition was held in the European Parliament, used to push for higher welfare standards in EU zoos
  • Launch of MEPs4Wildlife, a group for MEPs to focus solely on wildlife trafficking
  • MEPs4Wildlife launches an EU Action Plan against wildlife trafficking
  • Briefing document on the current situation of wild animal circuses in the EU was created by ENDCAP
  • A discussion on cetaceans in captivity took place within the Environment Committee of the European Parliament for the first time. Members of ENDCAP and the affiliated coalition, Dolphinaria-Free Europe were involved in lobbying MEPs who spoke out in opposition of cetaceans in captivity
  • ‘One Click Away’ Report was released. The report examined the online sale of exotic pets in Britain
  • Support for the new European Commission to establish a Commissioner for Animal Welfare, responsible for the protection of all animals under the care of human beings.
  • Support of the Born Free initiative to provide customised training to Member State Competent Authorities to help improve the implementation and enforcement of EU animal protection law.
  • MEP support for the effective enforcement of the Zoos’ Directive, and the development of initiatives to improve conditions for animals in EU zoos.
  • Hosted the first conference in Brussels dedicated to the welfare of whales and dolphins in captivity in the European Union. Those attending supported greater action against dolphin captivity in the EU.
  • Hosted a screening of the film documentary “Blackfish” in the European Parliaments in Strasbourg and Brussels with presentations from a former dolphin trainer, Sam Berg, the orca biologist, Dr Ingrid Visser, and marine mammal expect, Dr Naomi Rose
  • MEP support for a review of the justifications for keeping of cetaceans in captivity in the EU: following a presentation to the Parliament’s Intergroup for Animal Welfare.
  • Delivery of training to help improve the knowledge of veterinarians in animal welfare, specifically ‘wild animals in captivity’ in the Poland and France.
  • Contribution to the development of the EU Zoos Directive Guidance and Good Practices Document: an outcome of the EU Zoo Inquiry.
  • EU-wide media attention on the plight of captive cetaceans, in at least seven EU Member States, following a total of nine screenings of the film documentary “Blackfish” with first-hand knowledge given by the former dolphin trainer, Sam Berg.
  • Publication of the EU Zoo Inquiry report on EU Dolphinaria, the Italian version, in collaboration with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, at the Italian Senate.
  • Supporting the first conference in Brussels dedicated to the welfare of ‘wild animals in captivity’ (organised by the Born Free Foundation and VIER PFOTEN): attended by representatives from 28 countries.
  • MEP support for the effective enforcement of the Zoos’ Directive, and the development of initiatives to improve conditions for animals in EU zoos: following a presentation to the Parliament’s Intergroup for Animal Welfare.
  • Publication of EU Zoo Inquiry: Germany report at the European Parliament. The investigation into the evaluation of the implementation and enforcement of the Zoos Directive 1999/22 identified poor enforcement and extensive failures.
  • Support of the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, a publication of The Travel Association ABTA.
  • Helped secure MEP and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) support for greater restrictions in the trade in and domestic keeping of wild pets.
  • Delivery of training to help improve the knowledge of veterinarians in animal welfare, specifically ‘wild animals in captivity’ in the Netherlands.
  • Participated at the first conference dedicated to animal welfare in Cyprus.
  • Recognition of ‘wild animals in captivity’ as a genre of animals in future EU policy
  • Council Conclusion that ‘wild animals in captivity’ require better protection
  • Recognition of, and actions that will improve the welfare of ‘wild animals in captivity for business purposes’ included within the EU Strategy for Animal Welfare
  • Recognition that more research on ‘wild animals in captivity’ is required to improve their welfare
  • Publication of EU Zoo Inquiry Report Findings and Recommendations, an evaluation of the implementation and enforcement of the Zoos Directive 1999/22, identifying extensive failures
  • European Commission welcome the EU Zoo Inquiry and agree to develop an EC code of practice for zoos
  • EXPO in the European Parliament to raise awareness of poor animal welfare in EU zoos
  • MEP support for the effective enforcement of the Zoos’ Directive, and the development of initiatives to improve conditions for animals in EU zoos
  • Publication of EU Zoo Inquiry reports exposing non-compliance with national zoo law in England, Malta, Hungary and Italy.
  • Publication of Wild Pets in the EU, highlighting the impacts on biodiversity, public health and animal welfare
  • MEP support for greater restrictions in the trade in and domestic keeping of wild pets
  • Delivery of training to help improve the knowledge of veterinarians in animal welfare, specifically ‘wild animals in captivity’ in Latvia, Romania and Italy
  • Publication of EU Zoo Inquiry reports exposing non-compliance with national zoo law in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia, at three separate events hosted by the European Parliament
  • Publication of the EU Zoo Inquiry report on EU Dolphinaria, in collaboration with Whale and Dolphin Conservation
  • Delivery of training to help improve the knowledge of veterinarians in animal welfare, specifically ‘wild animals in captivity’ in Hungary and Spain
  • In collaboration with Greek Member NGO, ARCTUROS, highlighted the plight of wild animals in captivity at a conference, attended by government representatives
  • In collaboration with Spanish Member NGO, FAADA, highlighted the plight of wild animals in circuses in Spain
  • Secured amendments within the European Parliament’s “Gerbrandy Report”(COMENVI), advocating greater monitoring of wild animal imports for the pet trade and controls on wild-caught animals
  • Ensured ‘animals in zoos, circuses and those kept as pets’ were included in the European Parliament’s “Paulsen Report” (COMAGRI), extending the scope of the EU Strategy for Animal Welfare
  • Successful lobbying for a common understanding of ‘animal welfare’ in the EU
  • Publication of Animal Welfare Excellence, advocating the need for the European Institutions to recognise, and seek to protect ‘wild animals in captivity’ in the EU, particularly through: the Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals and the proposed, European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals.
  • EU Zoo Inquiry commences, with the assessment of 200 zoos in 20 EU Member States
  • Initiation of a postcard campaign to highlight the poor welfare conditions in Europe’s zoos, which saw 65,000 postcards sent to the Commissioner of the Environment from 11 EU Member States. The Commission acknowledged the concern but indicated that “sufficient evidence [should be] gathered on the implementation of the directive”
  • ENDCAP launches “Europe’s Forgotten Animals” at the European Parliament to raise awareness and support within the European Institutions for greater protection of wild animals in captivity in Europe