Spirit of freedom
In October 2015, the lives of 33 big cats will change
irrevocably for the better.
After enduring years of captivity and brutal abuse as circus performers, the lions are expected to set foot on African soil for the first time, where they will live out the rest of their lives in their natural habitat and enjoy the closest thing to freedom they have ever known.
They have languished for years confined in tiny, barren cages and a brutal life being forced to perform in circuses. Almost all of the lions rescued have been mutilated to remove their claws, one has lost an eye, another is almost blind, and many have had their teeth broken and smashed in with metal bars.
Animal Defenders International rescued the cats from ten
circuses following Peru and Colombia’s ban on performing animals.
Working with the Peru Government SERFOR and ATFFS wildlife departments, as well as the police, their year-long Operation Spirit of Freedom mission has seen ADI raid circuses all over the country, facing violent confrontations, rescuing over 90 animals, traveling thousands of miles, and traversing the Andes with lions.
Working with the Peru Government SERFOR and ATFFS wildlife departments, as well as the police, their year-long Operation Spirit of Freedom mission has seen ADI raid circuses all over the country, facing violent confrontations, rescuing over 90 animals, traveling thousands of miles, and traversing the Andes with lions.
ADI is chartering a Boeing 747 to transport all 33 lions with an ADI veterinary team directly from Lima to Johannesburg and on to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary; the biggest ever airlift of its kind!
The best is yet to come
Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary is set in 5,000 hectares set in pristine
African bush in Limpopo Province.
President Jan Creamer, who is leading the rescue mission,
said: “We are delighted that these lions who have suffered so much will be
going home to Africa where they belong. The climate and environment are perfect
for them. When we visited Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary we knew this is a dream come
true for ADI and, more importantly, the lions. ”
While their future is looking bright now that they will live out their years at the sanctuary, they will forever carry the scars of a life spent entertaining crowds oblivious to what goes on when the curtain comes down.
Let’s bring them home
If you would like to assist ADI with this project, please
visit their Facebook page for details on how you can get involved. Follow Rey, Joseph, Kiara and the rest of the
pride as they see their wildest dreams come true.
Photo credit © - Animal Defenders International https://www.facebook.com/AnimalDefenders
Original article appeared in the October issue of Happy Tails Magazine.
Original article appeared in the October issue of Happy Tails Magazine.
