Dear John,

Stella the Humboldt penguin is a victim of the zoo and aquarium industry.

She was first witnessed by our investigator at the zoo's 'Late Zoo Nights' after-hours event, where she huddled next to her siblings, struggling to keep her exhausted eyes open, while busy crowds watched on. It was well after closing time, yet there was still no escape. Forced to be on display to the paying public through the day, she found herself surrounded by even more visitors, this time accompanied by alcohol and noisy music well into the night.

Today, London Zoo is continuing to exploit Stella and her family, not only in the typical daily running of the zoo but also through these damaging late night events which still take place throughout June and July. 

And devastatingly, Stella's sad reality is the same for so many other innocent animals. A number of zoos across the UK are increasingly holding these exploitative late night events to increase their revenue. We must do more to stop this cruelty, and expose zoos lies.

It is only thanks to you and your kind generosity, that we know of Stella's story. We have been keeping a close eye on the sickening trend of late night zoo events for a while now, and there is still so much work to do to help animals, like Stella, who are suffering in them. 

We must continue to shine a light on the individuals who are suffering in zoos, and we can only do this with the vital support of our valued supporters and Freedom Champions. 

So please, will you join us as a Freedom Champion today?

​By setting up a monthly gift of your choosing, we can continue to carry out these important investigations into zoos and their evening exploits, and gain evidence to use in our campaigns to fight against such unnecessary suffering taking place.

Because of you and all you do, things are changing. Every month, we secure new victories for animals. But there is still so much to do, and setting up a monthly gift is one of the most powerful ways that you can take a stand for animals. 

As a charity who campaigns for animal rights, we receive no funding from the Government. We also often can't access Grant funding due to our strong ethical position.

So we must rely almost completely on the kindness of animal advocates like you to make sure we can do what we do to help animals.

Will you join us and our other amazing monthly donors, and help make 2024 a year of change for animals in need? 

For Stella, and all animals held captive in zoos....thank you,


Laura Walton
Campaigns Manager
Freedom for Animals