Thank You for Taking Action
Zoo Awareness Weekend (ZAW) 2026 has come to a close, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who took action for animals over this year’s Easter weekend.
At one of the busiest times of year for zoos and aquariums, supporters and grassroots activists across the UK and Ireland came together to expose the reality of captivity and stand up for animals.
From protests outside zoos to outreach in city centres and powerful online support, your actions helped shine a light on the suffering animals endure for entertainment.
Together, we made sure their reality was exposed and their voices heard.
A movement across the UK & Ireland
Again this year, actions took place across the UK and Ireland, showing the strength and reach of our movement:
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The Vegan Activist Forum took action outside Edinburgh Zoo, raising awareness with the public through conversation, and the inclusion of an optional quiz for visitors to interact with. This was very positively received by the public, and helped to open up constructive dialogue on how, and why, animals are held captive at the zoo.
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Dedicated activists at No To Captivity London and RAGE took impactful action outside London Zoo and Sea Life London Aquarium over the Easter Weekend. The protests garnered incredible support, and saw a large number of activists raise their voices for animals outside both sites – to showcase the truth of how animals suffer in captivity and ensure their plight could not be ignored by the public.
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No To Captivity London hold regular protests outside Sea Life London Aquarium, so please join a future event if you can! These impactful protests show the strength of collective grassroots activism, and the power of working together as a movement to drive the change we need to see for animal freedom.
- No To Captivity London also recruited the support of activists in Birmingham to take action outside Sea Life Birmingham – to raise public awareness on not only the plight of the penguins, but how all animals held captive at Sea Life suffer for human entertainment.
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In Northern Ireland, our incredible activist friends hold a protest outside Belfast Zoo every year for Zoo Awareness Weekend – and despite the terrible conditions brought by Storm Dave, this year was no different. The group made sure that anyone driving into Belfast Zoo saw their animal rights message, and their collective presence exposed the dark reality of the zoo industry to members of the public passing by.
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We have worked with our comrades at NARA against Dublin Zoo for a number of years now, and their dedication to seeing change happen for animals in captivity has driven forward an impactful campaign – alongside Dublin TD’s Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy – to demand an independent review of the zoo. We also published a report on how captivity impacts elephants, using Dublin Zoo as a case study. This can be viewed HERE
- A Better World for All Animals took action outside Regent’s Park in London to raise awareness on the cruelty of holding animals captive for entertainment with passers by of the park, as well as visitors walking through to London Zoo. They held an effective outreach event and were able to hand out a great number of leaflets – and even children’s books to families! – and have many positive conversations. We are so grateful for all their support on Zoo Awareness Weekend, it’s vital to get the animal freedom message out to the public. They also hold these events regularly, so you can join via their Facebook events via ‘A Better World for All Animals’ in the future if in the local area.
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Team Tino took action outside Knowsley Safari Park as they do every year for ZAW! And this year was a huge success as always. The group’s dedication to ensuring the public are aware of the suffering and cruelty animals are forced to endure in captivity shines a light on not only that specific zoo, but all zoos across the UK and beyond.
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Inspirational activists at Merseyside Animal Rights targeted Turbary Woods Bird of Prey Zoo this year for ZAW! They peacefully stood outside the zoo to highlight the reality of the bird of prey industry, and raise awareness on how birds are held captive and manipulated to perform within it. A huge thank you to all who took action against this often forgotten cruelty. You can find out more on our Tether and Torment campaign by reading our report HERE.
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Activists from North East Animal Rights (NEAR) support our ZAW event annually, and we are so grateful for their ongoing support. Their actions always raise vital awareness on the reality of the zoo and aquarium industry, and put the fight for animal freedom front and centre in Newcastle.
- Team Tino in Merseyside even took action outside a mobile zoo that came to the area, transporting sensitive animals against their will to be cruelly handled by the public and exposed to loud noises.
Each of these actions played a vital role in raising awareness and encouraging the public to think differently about zoos, aquariums and other captive entertainment events.
Grassroots power in action
To everyone who organised events, held banners, handed out leaflets, or spoke to members of the public – thank you.
And to all who supported by sharing social media posts of actions happening over the weekend – thank you. By sharing posts, amplifying our message, and engaging with our content, you helped us reach thousands more people and extend the impact of Zoo Awareness Weekend far beyond the protests themselves; challenging the perception of zoos to bring us closer to a world where animals are no longer exploited for entertainment.
Grassroots activism is at the heart of Zoo Awareness Weekend. It is your passion, determination, and compassion for animal rights that drives this movement forward.
Because let’s not forget, standing outside zoos – often facing challenging conditions – takes courage. As does having conversations that challenge long-held beliefs takes patience and resilience. Continuing to show up for animals, time and time again, is what creates real change and drives the momentum forward in the fight for freedom.
Why Zoo Awareness Weekend matters
While families are encouraged to visit under the guise of education and conservation, the reality for many animals is one of confinement, deprivation, and suffering.
By taking action at this crucial time, we ensure that the truth is visible – and that animals are not forgotten.
For any of our supporters who are thinking of getting involved in future demonstrations and outreach days, please let us know so that we can help link you up with a local group in your area, or you can start your own.
Here are the many other ways you can help animals too:
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