Animal Aid Abroad Partner Namigni Rescues 8 Fighting Bulls and Cows in Colombia
Animal Aid Abroad is proud to share that our Colombian partner, Namigni Animal Sanctuary, has rescued a family of eight Spanish fighting bulls and cows — animals threatened on two fronts: by a severe drought and shortage of feed, and by Colombia’s incoming bullfighting ban. The rescue was carried out through Animal Aid Abroad’s special program supporting Namigni’s work for fighting bulls and cows in Colombia, with the vital support of our Patron, Philip Wollen.
Key facts
Partner: Namigni Animal Sanctuary — a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Guasca, Colombia, and the world’s only sanctuary dedicated to Spanish fighting bulls.
Rescued: 8 fighting cattle — one bull, five cows, two calves — saved from slaughter in September 2026.
Their names: Shogun, Ishtar, Morgana, Belladonna and Imperador, Galaxia, Némesis and Tormenta.
The double threat: a severe drought and feed shortage, and Colombia’s bullfighting ban (full effect by 2027), which leaves no plan for the animals.
Supported by: Animal Aid Abroad’s special program for Namigni’s fighting-bull work, with the support of AAA Patron Philip Wollen.
Rescued Fighting Bulls and Cows at Namigni Animal Sanctuary
What happened?
In September 2026, our partner Namigni Animal Sanctuary rescued eight Spanish fighting bulls and cows that were bound for the slaughterhouse. The group is a family: one bull (Shogun), five cows (Ishtar, Morgana, Belladonna, Galaxia and Nemesis) and two calves — Imperador, and three-month-old Tormenta. All eight are now in lifelong care at Namigni’s Reserva del Toro Bravo, the world’s only sanctuary dedicated to the breed. It is the largest single rescue of fighting cattle that ever happened anywhere.
Why were these animals at risk?
These bulls and cows faced two threats at once. A severe drought across the region has driven a shortage of pasture and feed, putting working and rescued animals under strain. At the same time, Colombia’s bullfighting ban — which takes full effect by 2027 — leaves no plan and no public funding for the thousands of fighting bulls and cows bred for a practice that is ending. For these eight, both roads led to the same place: the slaughterhouse.
A family of rescued bullfighting bulls and cows at Namigni Animal Sanctuary
How did Animal Aid Abroad support this rescue?
This rescue was made possible through Animal Aid Abroad’s special program supporting Namigni’s work for fighting bulls and cows in Colombia. Animal Aid Abroad has long partnered with Namigni to protect working animals in the field, and now backs its efforts for the fighting bulls and cows left vulnerable by Colombia’s changing laws and by the drought. That program is supported by Animal Aid Abroad’s Patron, philanthropist Philip Wollen, whose backing has been vital to making this work possible.
Rescued calf at Namigni Animal Sanctuary
“This rescue would not have been possible without Animal Aid Abroad,” said Miguel Aparicio, founder of Namigni Animal Sanctuary. “Their program — and the support of their Patron, Philip Wollen — is what lets us stand between these animals and the slaughterhouse.”
Who is Namigni Animal Sanctuary?
Namigni Animal Sanctuary is a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Guasca, Colombia, and the world’s only sanctuary dedicated to Spanish fighting bulls. Through its Reserva del Toro Bravo program, it rescues bulls and cows left behind by the end of bullfighting and gives them lifelong care. The sanctuary has grown from seven animals in 2025 to more than two dozen today, along with many other animals of different species, including twenty rescued working equids.
Group of rescued bullfighting bulls and cows receiving their initial primary care at Namigni Animal Sanctuary
How you can help
Every animal Namigni rescues needs care for the rest of its life — pasture, feed, veterinary support and safe fencing. You can help sustain this work through Animal Aid Abroad’s program for fighting bulls and cows in Colombia.
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Frequently asked questions
What did Namigni rescue in Colombia?
Namigni Animal Sanctuary rescued eight Spanish fighting bulls and cows — one bull, five cows and two calves — from slaughter in Colombia in September 2026, supported by Animal Aid Abroad.
Why were the fighting bulls and cows at risk?
They faced a double threat: a severe drought and shortage of feed, and Colombia’s bullfighting ban, which takes full effect by 2027 with no plan for the animals left behind.
What is Animal Aid Abroad’s role in the rescue?
Animal Aid Abroad runs a special program supporting Namigni’s work for fighting bulls and cows in Colombia. This rescue was carried out through that program, with the support of AAA Patron Philip Wollen.
Who is Namigni Animal Sanctuary?
Namigni Animal Sanctuary is a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Guasca, Colombia, and the world’s only sanctuary dedicated to Spanish fighting bulls.
How can I support this work?
You can support Animal Aid Abroad’s program for fighting bulls and cows in Colombia through Animal Aid Abroad’s website.
Rescuing them was essential. Caring for them, for life, is what comes next — and, together, it is what we are here to do.
