Our Impact for Animals
Strategic Investigations That Drive Change
For nearly two decades, Tracks Investigations has worked behind the scenes to uncover what industries hide. Our investigations provide the evidence that powers laws, fuels campaigns, and informs the public. We don’t just document cruelty. We help stop it.
We work in close partnership with NGOs, journalists, and legal teams to ensure our footage is not only seen — but used. Every investigation is embedded within wider efforts to ban cruel practices, influence corporate behaviour, or bring hidden abuse into the public eye.
Below are highlights of only some of the victories our work has helped make possible.
UK Bans Live Animal Exports
In May 2024, the UK formally enacted a historic ban on live animal exports for slaughter and fattening — ending a decades-long practice that caused immense suffering.
Tracks Investigations has played a key role in exposing this trade, with undercover footage revealing the harsh conditions animals face during long, exhausting journeys. Although Tracks was founded in 2006, its founder has been documenting the cruelty of live exports since the 1990s — often in partnership with Compassion in World Farming (CIWF).
This ban is a landmark victory, and a powerful example of how strategic, persistent investigative work can help shape policy.
Australia Bans Live Sheep Exports
Tracks has been regularly investigating the live export trade since 2006 with its partnership with Animals Australia with investigations throughout the Middle East & Asia. In May 2024, these efforts led to Australia’s announcement of a ban on live sheep exports due to animal welfare concerns.
This landmark legislation was passed by Parliament on July 1 and is set to come into force on May 1, 2028.
“ The commitment, courage, expertise and professionalism of Tracks investigators unddoubtedly makes them worldleaders in this field” Animals Australia
Landmark Ban: France Phasing Out Fur Farming
In September 2020, the French government announced a nationwide ban on mink farming, with a legal deadline to close all remaining fur farms by 31 December 2025.
Over a five-year period, Tracks Investigations conducted three undercover investigations, documenting conditions at every operational fur farm in France. The evidence — showing severe confinement, injuries, and psychological distress — triggered widespread public outrage and played a key role in building pressure for legislative change.
This is a clear example of how sustained investigative work can help bring an abusive industry to an end.
France Bans Bear Shows After Tracks Investigation
In 2019, Tracks Investigations exposed the hidden suffering of Mischa, Glasha, and Bony — three bears used in shows and kept in concrete cells for over 15 years. Deprived of light, space and proper care, they showed clear signs of physical and psychological trauma.
The investigation sparked public outrage, widespread media coverage, and urgent calls for reform. As a result, the bears were rescued to sanctuaries, and France passed a law banning bear shows and the private keeping of wild bears.
A powerful example of how one investigation can lead to systemic change.
France to Ban Wild Animals in Circuses
In 2019 and 2020, Tracks Investigations documented the bleak reality for wild animals used in circuses — including 10 tigers confined in cages on the back of a lorry, parked on an industrial estate for months on end. The animals had no access to space, enrichment, or proper care between performances.
The footage revealed a life of near-total deprivation, far from the glamour the public sees under the big top.
Following widespread media coverage and public pressure, the French government announced a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses — a major step towards ending this outdated form of entertainment.
Another case where investigation led to real, lasting change
Belgium Bans Fur Farming
Belgium became the 18th European country to ban fur farming — a victory fuelled by Tracks Investigations’ eight-year campaign documenting cruelty across every operational fur farm in the country.
Often working in partnership with GAIA, we gathered the only inside footage of these farms, exposing extreme confinement and suffering. Shared widely with media and policymakers, the evidence helped build unstoppable pressure for change.
A powerful example of how persistence and collaboration can shut an industry down for good.
Belgium Bans Slaughter Without Stunning
In 2019, Belgium introduced a ban on slaughter without stunning in both Flanders and Wallonia — a major step forward for animal welfare.
Tracks Investigations contributed to this shift through a series of investigations over more than a decade, documenting the suffering of animals killed without prior stunning. Our footage helped inform public debate and supported calls for reform.
A clear example of how long-term evidence gathering can influence lasting legal change.
Fueling Europe's “End the Cage Age” Momentum
Tracks Investigations provided essential undercover footage for Compassion in World Farming’s End the Cage Age campaign, which revealed hidden suffering across factory farms in Europe.
Thanks to the 1.4 million signatures gathered through the European Citizens' Initiative, the European Commission announced in June 2021 plans to propose legislation by end of 2023 to phase out all cages for farmed animals — marking a crucial policy turning point .
Our evidence helped bring the issue into public debate and political spotlight, fueling continued pressure on EU institutions to deliver real change.
Puppy Smuggling: Evidence That Changed the Law
Tracks Investigations worked with Dogs Trust over more than a decade to expose the illegal puppy trade — from overcrowded breeding farms in Eastern Europe to covert UK sales. Our footage showed how smugglers exploited the Pet Travel Scheme to import underage, unvaccinated puppies.
Featured widely across BBC, ITV, Sky, and The Times, the investigations helped build pressure for reform.
In December 2023, a Private Member’s Bill backed by the government passed its second reading — a major step towards closing the loopholes that enable puppy smuggling into the UK.
Spanish Animal Lab Suspends Testing After Public Outcry
In collaboration with Cruelty Free International, Tracks produced a hard-hitting investigative film exposing the cruelty of toxicity testing at a Spanish laboratory.
Released in Spanish and backed by a targeted campaign, the video reached over a million viewers within a week — sparking national outrage and media coverage.
Just days after the footage aired, regional authorities suspended all animal testing at the facility, marking a significant step in the fight against outdated and unethical lab practices.
Exposing the Primate Trade: Driving Global Action
Tracks Investigations has produced more investigations into the global primate trade than any other organisation, uncovering the hidden pipeline from breeding farms to research labs around the world.
Our work has revealed shocking conditions in macaque breeding and holding facilities across Asia and Africa, documenting stress, injury, and routine cruelty inflicted on animals used in the research industry.
This sustained effort has contributed to major policy and regulatory shifts — including the suspension of macaque exports from Laos, following our film presented at CITES, and momentum behind the uplisting of long-tailed macaques to Endangered status on the IUCN Red List.