500,000 animals have been saved from slaughter this week.

Millions of pigs, goats, cows and sheeps’ lives will be saved in the years to come as well.

After several heart-breaking news stories concerning animal welfare this week, there is a reason to smile.

As we mourn Cecil the lion and the five endangered African elephants who were poached as the world focused on Cecil, we can open our hearts to some light brought by this amazing victory for animals.

A Nepalese Temple has banned an archaic, centuries-old tradition of animal slaughter at the Gadhimai Temple.

For two centuries the mass slaughter of thousands of animals has taken place twice a decade. The sacrifices were for the Goddess Gadhimai, made by pilgrims, in hopes of being blessed with good life.

After the efforts and protests of many animal activist groups working with the Indian government, the temple has agreed it is time to embrace peaceful worship and celebration.

The temple committee also acknowledges the need for and is willing to implement education of the public, so that they are fully aware of the reasons for this decision.

Gauri Maulekhi, Humane Society International India consultant & Trustee of People for Animals, who petitioned India’s Supreme Court against the movement of animals from India to the Gadhimai festival, said,

“This is a tremendous victory for compassion that will save the lives of countless animals”.

While it is beautiful and heartwarming that there are people like her fighting tirelessly for the welfare of all living things, let us not forget that those of us with voices need to speak and stand up for those without voices.

Let us take the outrage over Cecil and use it to champion more victories for animals like this one.

Sources:  The Guardian
                Wall Street Journal

Relephant:

What the Buddha said about Animal Rights—& why it’s in our Interest to Care.

Author: Lindsay Carricarte

Editor: Khara-Jade Warren

Image: Amrit Ghimire Ranjit/ Wikimedia Commons