Dozens of lions have been airlifted to their homeland of South Africa after being rescued from circuses in South America. The largest ever airlift of lions, the operation was organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. This has been a really important mission because it has eliminated circus suffering in Peru, saving future generations of animals.
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“The lions are returning to where they belong”, sanctuary founder Savannah Heuser says in a statement.
More than 30 lions rescued from circuses in South America have arrived in Johannesburg to begin a new life at an African wildlife reserve.
Peru banned the use of animals in circuses in 2011 and Colombia followed in 2013.
“LEO: Leo is the granddaddy and one of the oldest lions rescued by ADI during Operation Spirit of Freedom”.
Former circus lions inside an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, South Africa, May 1, 2016.
This video includes clips from BBC, Animal Defenders International and images from Getty Images. “Getting the animals home has been exhausting and exhilarating”, said ADI President Jan Creamer.
“They have been beaten, they have been starved, they have been deprived of everything that makes life worth living for a lion”.
Thirty-three lions rescued from South American circuses have arrived at South Africa.
“They have lived a life of absolute hell”. Although he doesn’t have many useful teeth left he loves playing with and popping soccer balls, even though it takes him a little longer than the younger lions.
The first group of nine lions was collected in Colombia’s capital Bogota on a cargo plane, which then flew to Peru’s capital Lima to pick up 24 more animals.
At their new home at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, the lions will enjoy large natural enclosures situated in pristine African bush, complete with drinking pools, platforms and toys. The sanctuary which is located in the Limpopo Province of the country is in natural lion habitat.
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The lions will first be released into bonding camps, the largest enclosures the lions have ever known and where families will be reintroduced to one another and become familiarised with their new home.
