Defying Captivity

In Wicked, Elphaba teaches us to stand up for those in need, even if it’s unpopular. “Can you imagine a world where animals are kept in cages and they never learn to speak?” she asks. That world she fears is our reality. Animals may not speak the exact same language as us, but their suffering shows when we stop to really look at them.

Even though she’d idolized him her whole life, Elphaba took a stand against the Wizard when the rights of animals were under threat, and we are calling on all Ozians who have been inspired by her unlimited courage to do the same.

Join us on our quest to give animals back their voices, liberate them from their cages, and lead them down the yellow brick road to freedom!
Captivity offers no benefit to animals. Whether they’re kept in cages their entire lives so tourists can gawk at them or trained to perform unnatural feats, captivity is purely for human entertainment. Animals in captivity are rarely afforded adequate physical and mental enrichment, often leading them to develop zoochosis, a stress-fueled psychological condition that appears in repetitive behaviors like pacing, swaying, and self-mutilation.

Animal attractions are only fun when you’re outside of the cages. Join The Protego Foundation’s Defying Captivity campaign and pledge to choose sanctuaries and other animal-friendly activities over captive animal attractions.

​When we defy captivity, we can change the world for good!


Sign the Pledge​


Magical Merch

As activists, we often literally wear our hearts - and messages - on our sleeves. Inspire others to be changed for good by purchasing our Defying Captivity merchandise. All items are eco-friendly and all proceeds go directly toward helping animals!

​Activism Materials

Throughout her journey, Elphaba listens to her heart and stands up for what she believes in, no matter the cost.
Her strength, compassion, and wish for equal rights for all beings are what drive her and what inspires us to do the same.
There are many ways we can make a difference for animals!

Organize or attend a protest. Below, you'll find Wicked-inspired signs to print or use as inspiration.

Hand out brochures. Educate others with our printable brochure files by sharing them directly with others, placing them on tables, or pinning them up on local boards.

Email event organizers and schools. If you know of an event planning to feature a petting zoo or a school planning a fieldtrip to a place that keeps animals in captivity, use our email template to voice your opposition.


Earn Rewards & Prizes

* Take action *
* Have fun *
* Earn prizes! *

Anyone who completes enough actions to fill out a row on their BINGO card  will earn a prize from The Protego Foundation!

Just email us or message us on Instagram with your filled out card, images from the actions you took, and your mailing address to receive a gift. Everyone is eligible!

In addition, 5 participants who complete their BINGO card by 11:59 PM EST on February 1st, 2026 will be chosen at random to receive a special Defying Gravity prize! You must complete your card as described above to be eligible.


​Download or screenshot the BINGO card below and start playing!

​Email us: [email protected]

Message or tag us on Instagram: @protegofoundation

Learn More

Behind the Curtain:
​The Reality of Captivity

Inspired by the animal rights activism of Wicked’s protagonist, Elphaba, this campaign asks fans to pledge to never visit animal attractions like circuses, marine parks, aquariums, and zoos.

Marine parks, aquariums, and zoos claim to be essential resources for conservation, but little funding is devoted to such efforts. Most of the money they bring in goes back to keeping their captive animals alive rather than funding important conservation efforts in the wild. Similarly, most of the education visitors receive can fit into a few sentences on a plaque and pertains exclusively to the captive animals’ wild relatives, making the caged animals’ existence irrelevant to the information being provided.

Breeding programs are popular amongst zoos, marine parks, and aquariums as a way to maintain a steady supply of baby animals, who draw large crowds. Many animals are stolen from their wild homes and families and brought into a life of captivity. Whether born behind bars or torn from the wild, every one of them loses the freedom and family bonds that make life worth living. 


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​Petting zoos, roadside zoos, and circuses beguile us into thinking that animals delight in entertaining us, but we are only shown part of the picture. When out of sight of spectators, animals often languish in cages and may be threatened with physical abuse to learn new tricks or drugged to be compliant when touched by strangers. Animals are rarely afforded adequate physical and mental enrichment in captivity, often leading them to develop zoochosis, as exhibited in repetitive behaviors like pacing, swaying, and various forms of self-mutilation.

When we reject these industries that profit off of animal suffering, a whole new world of joyful animal experiences opens up to us. We can learn about animals in documentaries, museums, and nature parks. We can interact with animals by visiting or volunteering at shelters and sanctuaries. We can get to know the animals in our neighborhoods by starting up a new outdoor hobby like hiking or birding.

​Keeping animals in captivity for human curiosity and entertainment is inherently cruel. We are inspired by Elphaba’s principled stance that silencing and controlling animals is selfish and wrong. Moviegoers of any age can plainly see that imprisoning animals is a practice that must end for good.

How to Truly Learn About
​and Support Animals


Support animal sanctuaries that rescue, rehabilitate, and care for animals without breeding or exploiting them, such as The Wild Animal Sanctuary and Save the Chimps.

Donate to real conservation efforts that protect wild habitats and prevent poaching, such as Saving the Survivors and Action for Rhinos.
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​Don’t visit zoos. Speak out against keeping animals in captivity for profit and send request forms to local community events and schools to encourage them not to promote attractions where animals are harmed.

​Educate others. Share this campaign with your friends and family, print out our activist materials, display your compassion on your sleeve, and participate in our bingo game to earn rewards! 

​Be Green for Good

The official Wicked: For Good website outlines a campaign called Green for Good, which emphasizes the positive impact that individuals and communities can make on the environment to benefit both wildlife and humankind.

For the campaign, NBCUniversal has partnered with Rewild to plant up to 2,000 trees when fans participate using the #GreenForGood hastag on social media.

We encourage you to utilize the toolkits below and take part!
The Protego Foundation's work is made possible, in part, thanks to Tylor Starr.


The Protego Foundation and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. 'Wizarding World,' 'Harry Potter,' ‘Fantastic Beasts' and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. - Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.
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