European speaking tour of activist Shao Ran, former Cetacean trainer in China

For the first time in Europe, Shao Ran, one of China’s most well-known animal advocates, will conduct a speaking tour across several European countries in February and March 2026.

For years, Shao Ran worked as a captive cetacean trainer in China, one of the countries where dolphinariums and aquariums have experienced exponential growth in recent decades. She became widely recognized as the country’s leading trainer for aquatic animals.

After witnessing the immense suffering of some of the animals she worked with, such as the beluga whale ‘Sophie’, Shao Ran did something extraordinary: she came to understand the harm and injustice that their exploitation entailed, and made the most difficult yet principled decision possible: to leave it all behind, transform her guilt into action, and dedicate her life to defending animals. This led her to embrace veganism and activism.

Today, she is one of the most prominent voices in animal advocacy in China. Her videos and interviews have reached over 100 million views, and she has given dozens of talks across the country, inspiring a large number of people to join the cause.

Knowledge-sharing and collaboration among animal defenders in different parts of the world is crucial, especially with China, where activism has a fundamental impact. That is why it is important to learn about the work of activists like Shao Ran.

We encourage everyone to attend one of the talks she will be giving in in several European countries.

Speaking series across Spain

The first confirmed talks by Shao Ran will take place in the following locations:

Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

·⠀Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 PM

·⠀Sala de Xuntas, Faculty of Philosophy, USC, Praza de Mazarelos

·⠀Organized by: Wild Animal Ethics Project (USC), Grupo de Innovación Docente en Estudos Animais no Ensino, Ética Animal

Boiro (Spain)

·⠀Thursday, February 19

·⠀Instituto Espiñeira (private event for students)

·⠀Organized by: Comisión Bioética (IES Espiñeira), Ética Animal

Madrid (Spain)

·⠀Saturday, February 21, 6:00 PM

·⠀Ecocentro. Esquilache, 2-12, Madrid

·⠀Organized by: Asociación Empatía, Animal Guardians Fundación, Ética Animal

Barcelona (Spain)

·⠀Monday, February 26, 5:30 pm

·⠀Poblenou Campus of Pompeu Fabra University, in the Tànger building, room 55.309

·⠀Organized by: Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

Munich (Germany)

·⠀Friday, March 6, 7:00 pm

·⠀Eine Welt Haus

·⠀Organized by: Soko Tierschutz

Paris (France)

·⠀Thursday, March 12, 7:00 pm

·⠀Baranoux. 78 Rue Compans

Don’t miss them!