Tradiciones Crueles

Barcelona, España. While bullfighting is commonly associated with cape-and-sword corridas in arenas, the "toro embolado" (fire bull) is part of a wide spectrum of popular bull festivals where the animal isn't killed. Here we explain what they are and what we must do to end them.

Valencia, España. This past Monday, August 11th, was the deadline to submit objections to the draft of the new Regulations for traditional bull festivals (festejos taurinos) in the Valencian Community (which implements the Regional Law 14/2010). AnimaNaturalis warns that this regulation represents a serious move towards crueler practices and a setback for animal protection.

Pasaia, España. We have filed a complaint with the Basque Government over serious irregularities during a bull festival held on July 31st, which continued after a heifer fell into the water in an unprotected area.

Palma de Mallorca, España. The promotion of €9 children's tickets for the August 7th bullfight in Palma has reopened social wounds in the Balearic Islands. After PP and Vox's legal reform overturned the ban in place since 2017, animal rights groups, left-wing parties, and experts condemn children's exposure to what they call "institutionalized violence," while bullfighting supporters defend their right to transmit tradition.

Pamplona, España. Very few people know that the same bulls running through the streets during the traditional San Fermín encierros are killed in the bullring that same evening. It's not a secret, yet even the residents of Pamplona are largely unaware of this tragedy. This new investigation by our team sheds light on this hidden cruelty.

Dénia, España. On July 8th and 9th, investigators from AnimaNaturalis and CAS International documented one of the cruelest aspects of Dénia's local festivals: the 'bous a la mar' (bulls to the sea). This spectacle involves chasing young bulls and cows to force them off a purpose-built platform into the harbor waters. What is billed as tradition or entertainment becomes a hellscape for the animals – marked by sheer terror, physical blows, relentless heat, and utter exhaustion.

Sant Jaume d´Enveja, España. We visited Sant Jaume d'Enveja (Tarragona), one of the Catalan municipalities that organizes the most festivals, to expose the harassment and mockery that animals are subjected to in these popular celebrations.

Pamplona, España. In a powerful image evoking the Virgin Mary holding Christ's body, activists from AnimaNaturalis and PETA denounced bullfighting as a "sin" against compassion in Pamplona on July 5. The performance outside City Hall has ignited a profound debate in Navarrese and Spanish society about the future of bullfighting in the 21st century.

Sant Jaume d´Enveja, España. While documenting a traditional "correbou" bull event in Sant Jaume d'Enveja (Tarragona), members of AnimaNaturalis – including its director Aïda Gascón – were assaulted and threatened. The footage reveals not only animal cruelty but also escalating violence against those working to expose it.