2020: A Year In Review

Film: Kelly Guerin, 2020
Narration: Jo-Anne McArthur

2020 was not the year any of us expected, but it reminded us why we do what we do. From Australian bushfires to historic pandemics, the stories of animals continue to emerge at the centre of some of the most important issues of our time.

Here is a look at what we’ve built and achieved this past year:

• Our photographs and videos have been used in 133 countries, benefitted over 190 organizations, and appeared in hundreds of media outlets worldwide.
• To date, over 300 people have taken our Photojournalism Masterclass, seeking to develop their skills in the field of animal photojournalism.
• When Covid-19 erupted earlier this year, our team was able to quickly mobilize our photographic and multimedia content to educate as many people as possible on the links between animal agriculture and zoonotic diseases.
• WAM Founder Jo-Anne McArthur’s poignant image, Hope in a Burned Forest, of a kangaroo with her joey in a burned plantation in the wake of Australia’s January 2020 bushfires won the Nature Photographer of the Year award.
• We published our third book, HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene, featuring images from 40 international photojournalists and a foreword by Joaquin Phoenix.
• We set out to cover the often underreported stories of fish and the rapidly growing fishing industry, sending three contributing photographers into the field to document these stories in the Mediterranean.
• We produced a number of short documentaries in partnership with our contributing filmmakers, featuring stories of fascinating activists like George Monbiot and undercover investigators who are on the front lines of animal rights and environmental justice.

Additionally, We Animals has focused its efforts on strengthening our foundation and expanding our global community. As we move forward together, we are better equipped to show the urgency of these critical animal stories.

Because of your support in 2020, we’ve been able to strengthen our work, expand our network  of staff and volunteers, and continue to be a critical resource for the movement.

As we look toward 2021 with hope and determination, we are keenly aware that the lasting impact of our work will lie in our collaboration and partnerships of all kinds. If you would like to partner on a project, use our work, or support our mission, please call on us. Together we can continue to expand the circle of compassion for all animals.