My former brother-in-law and friend Alexis Diaz Limaco, who has died from cancer aged 50, devoted his life to animal welfare and workers’ rights. Armed with irresistible charm and determination, Alexis was at the heart of a huge public shift in attitudes towards animals in entertainment in Latin America and leaves a legacy of legislation in many countries.
A chance encounter in an Indian restaurant in Brick Lane, London, with Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips, founders of the animal welfare organisation Animal Defenders International, saw him recruited by ADI in 2003 as an undercover investigator. Despite Alexis turning up hours late for his first meeting in ADI’s west London offices, it was the start of a 20-year-long working relationship and friendship.
Alexis began investigating animal circuses touring England, often setting up with his guitar at the entrance to play as audiences arrived, while monitoring the animals. Working out of ADI’s London headquarters, he then operated in Ireland, Spain and Portugal, living for months in a van going from circus to circus getting jobs.
He then returned to South America, and the investigation he co-ordinated from there provided the vital evidence of animals being beaten, kicked and punched that drove changes in the law in many countries. Working in secret, he often put himself at risk; workers in one circus broke his leg.
Bolivia banned animals in circuses in 2009, but the circuses defied the law. By then ADI’s Latin America manager, Alexis co-ordinated actions in Bolivia, where ADI raided every circus and rescued all the animals. Twenty-nine lions were airlifted to US sanctuaries – a mission recounted in the award-winning 2013 documentary Lion Ark.
Even bigger operations followed in Peru and Colombia, and more than 100 animals were rescued from circuses, with a record-breaking 33 lions on one flight to South Africa, while an operation in Guatemala later rescued 17 lions and tigers.
Born in Lima, Peru, to Rosa Limaco and Luciano Canchaya, both teachers, Alexis grew up between Lima and Ayacucho, going from secondary school at Colegio La Merced to study philosophy at San Marcos University from 1991. As a student, he participated in demonstrations against the corruption and autocracy that plagued Peruvian governments. To support himself, Alexis busked on buses, playing the traditional flute.
In 1992 he followed his brother Chano to Britain, where they worked together playing music. Alexis continued to travel in the 90s, spending several years in New Zealand. He returned to London in 2000 and worked as a painter in the years before he joined ADI.
Alexis is survived by Rosa, Chano (my former husband), his sister, Patricia, and a son, Alejandro, from a short relationship. He was predeceased by another sister, Milagros.
