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A dog pushes her snout through the bars of a cage at a slaughterhouse on Hữu Hưng Street in Hanoi, Vietnam. Aaron Gekoski / Asia for Animals Coalition / We Animals Media
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Since the onset of COVID-19, Asian wet markets have sparked increased global debate and controversy. This month, in a joint investigation with Asia for Animals Coalition, we provide a raw glimpse into Vietnamese dog meat and wet markets. Our on-the-ground investigators documented brutal and illegal conditions for animals, including dogs and cats butchered for their meat, critically endangered wildlife, rats, birds, snakes and toads.
"I normally set aside my emotions and focus on the assignment; however, when I have to go through all of the footage that I shot, it's heartbreaking." - Napat Wesshasartar
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Nick Brandt and Jo-Anne McArthur Chat
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Fatuma, Ali and Bupa, Kenya, 2020 / © Nick Brandt
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To mark World Photography Day on August 19, We Animals Media Founder Jo-Anne McArthur sat down with world-renowned photographer Nick Brandt for a conversation covering everything from speciesism and conservation to what inspires their work, bearing witness to animal suffering, the emerging genre of animal photojournalism (APJ), and more.
"Doing something you believe in, that you think can make a difference, can help push away the unhealthy sense of despair and helplessness, and instead galvanize and focus you, and give you energy." - Nick Brandt
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Excelsior 4 Sentencing Update
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Activists Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer pose for Advocates Against Ag-gag portrait series, 2022. / Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
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In April 2019 animal activists recorded secret footage inside Abbotsford’s Excelsior Hog Farm in Canada, exposing shocking conditions. Weeks later, nearly 200 activists occupied that same farm in a Meat the Victims action. Four were singled out and taken into custody: Amy Soranno, Nick Schafer, Roy Sasano and Geoff Regier, now dubbed the Excelsior 4.
Nick Schafer is a We Animals Media contributing photographer who was on assignment for our farm investigation during the catastrophic Abbotsford flood in November.
On July 9, Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer were found guilty of break and enter and mischief. Sentencing began on August 26 and has yet to conclude.
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Thumbnail credit: Adam Oswell / HIDDEN / We Animals Media
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In October we’re collaborating with MontPhoto FEST, a festival of photography and nature in Lloret de Mar, Spain. This festival brings together hundreds of photographers. Our friends Britta Jaschinski and Joan de la Malla (both in HIDDEN) will be presenting, as will our recent contributor Ana Palacios (see her photos of rescued Spanish hunting dogs).
MontPhoto FEST is generously creating a donation campaign for We Animals Media during the festival. This is a fantastic opportunity to continue showcasing animal stories to movers and shakers in the photography world. Last year Jo-Anne juried the “humans and nature” category, helping to select hard-hitting animal stories.
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What's Investigative Work Like?
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Investigators approaching a mink farm. Jo-Anne McArthur / Djurrattsalliansen / We Animals Media
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Investigative work feels full of determination, curiosity, fear, and a relentless desire to expose inequality and unfairness. I feel more in touch with the animal I am when I'm out in the forest at night, wending my way by the light of the moon, listening for changes, and the smells in the breeze alert me to the farms nearby.
When our team documents animal suffering, it's harrowing. When we leave farms at first light however, I feel thrilled to have spent another night doing worthy work. Though there are but a few of us on site, not for a moment do we feel alone, because we have so much support in executing this work. I am grateful to every single person and organization who helps us do this.
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Photographer Spotlight : Selene Magnolia
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Buffalo inside a buffalo mozzarella farm, southern Italy, 2018. Selene Magnolia / Wildlight / Four Paws
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WAM contributing photographer Selene Magnolia's work is being exhibited this year at the prestigious Visa Pour l'Image photo festival in Perpignan. Congratulations, Selene!
"I remember the smell, the blood on my face, the cold, the water, my soaked clothes, the suffering eyes, the crying. Some years ago I found myself in the middle of a whale slaughter, and I documented it." - Selene Magnolia
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We are looking for a Part-time Fundraising Manager as well as a Part-time Freelance (1-8 hrs per week) Photo and Video Editor to join our team. We’re looking for candidates who are excited about our mission and dedicated to working with this difficult subject matter.
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Getting Animals in the Media
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This work is not easy, but it's necessary. Step into the world of Animal photojournalism in this 58-second video, by Miguel Endara.
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