Animal rights groups have always been at war with cultural and religious practices that involve exploitation of the living beings.

From protests against bullfighting in Mexico and Colombia to numerous demonstrations elsewhere showing objection to slaughtering of animals and promoting vegetarianism, this year so far has seen animal rights activists strongly coming forward to make their voices heard.

Browse through the photo gallery to view the top ten animal rights protests in 2012.

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Top 10 Animal Rights Protests in 2011 [PHOTOS]

Human Meat
An animal rights activist protests against meat consumption through a performance to promote vegetarianism during "Day Without Meat" in central Barcelona March 20, 2012. REUTERS/Albert Gea
Day Without Meat
An animal rights activist protests against meat consumption through a performance to promote vegetarianism during "Day Without Meat" in central Barcelona March 20, 2012. REUTERS/Albert Gea
They killed me this Fallas festival
Animals rights activists protest during a demonstration calling for the abolition of bullfights in Valencia March 18, 2012. Placards read, "They killed me this Fallas festival". REUTERS/Heino Kalis
Going Vegan
An animal rights activist poses as a piece of meat during a protest to promote vegetarianism on "Meat Out Day" in Cali March 20, 2012. REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga
Animal Rights Protests In 2012
Activists in body paint protest against bullfighting at central square in Bogota Feb. 9, 2012. REUTERS/Fredy Builes
Animal Rights Protests In 2012
Activists from the animal rights group AnimaNaturalis lie covered in red paint mimicking blood, in protest against bullfighting in Mexico City Feb. 5, 2012. REUTERS/Claudia Daut
Animal Rights Protests In 2012
Activists from the animal rights group AnimaNaturalis lie covered in red paint mimicking blood, in protest against bullfighting in Mexico City Feb. 5, 2012. REUTERS/Claudia Daut
Animal Rights Protests In 2012
Members from an animal rights organization perform during a protest against bullfights at the La Santamaria bullring in Bogota Jan. 15, 2012. REUTERS/John Vizcaino
Animal Rights Protests In 2012
Animal rights activists dressed in chicken, sheep and cow costumes, protest against kosher and halal practices of butchering animals in front of the Chancellery in Berlin, Jan. 5, 2012. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Animal Rights Protests In 2012
"Animal Equality" (or Igualdad Animal in Spanish) activists protest at Sant Jaume Square, in front of Palau de la Generalitat, in central Barcelona Jan. 19, 2012. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino
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