South Africa: Rescued lions explore new home in sanctuary
Source: Associated Press
South Africa: Rescued lions explore new home in sanctuary
Stuart Graham, Associated Press
Updated 2:30 pm, Sunday, May 1, 2016
[font size=1]
Photo: Themba Hadebe, AP
Image 1 of 11
A former circus lion bites a tree branch inside an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia ... more
[/font]
Vaalwater, South Africa (AP) Lions rescued from circuses in Colombia and Peru and airlifted to South Africa scratched their manes on trees and explored their new territory in the African bush after being released into a sanctuary north of Johannesburg Sunday.
One of the 33 lions, a male known as Zeus, let out a mighty roar before stepping out of his cage into an enclosure where he will spend the coming months being monitored by a vet.
The lions arrived at the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary shortly after dawn on Sunday to end a two-day journey from South America. The lions were freed after the use of wild animals in circuses was outlawed in Peru and Colombia.
It will be impossible for the lions to survive in the wild as they were bred in captivity and their circus owners mutilated many by breaking their teeth and removing their claws. Because they cannot hunt they will be fed game meat and will have water in their enclosures.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/South-Africa-Rescued-lions-explore-new-home-in-7386347.php
Mosby
(16,416 posts)The US and the Europeans should start pressuring other countries like China, Russia and India to stop using circus animals.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)We are emerging from the barbarity of ANY animal taken by force from their natural habitat and forced to become appropriate viewing for humans. I've watched the same with elephants now being cared for ... after severe hardship for monetary profit.
At least the current zoos are trying harder, I'm not sure about circuses, so there is progress...I think.
LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)libdem4life
(13,877 posts)ailsagirl
(22,907 posts)Those devils who hurt them...
Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)Rescue lions from South America arrive at South Africa refuge
Watch as these rescue lions from South America arrive at a South Africa refuge, Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary.
- video at link -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1287626/Rescue-lions-South-America-arrive-South-Africa-refuge.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Coventina
(27,223 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)Rescued circus lions flown to South Africa
By Allen Cone | May 1, 2016 at 2:40 PM
[font size=1]
Half-bind Joseph sleeps during its trip to South Africa -- one of 33 animals transported. Photo courtesy of Animal Defenders International.
[/font]
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 1 (UPI) -- Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in South America have been airlifted to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.
The U.S.-based group Animal Defenders International rescued the animals. They were transferred by land to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, a 12,355-acre reserve in northern Southern Africa, after being flown to Johannesburg.
It was the largest airlift of lions in history, said Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International, which carried out the operation.
. . .
An MD11F cargo aircraft chartered with Priority Worldwide Services retrieved nine lions from Bogota airport, then flew to Lima to collect 24 more lions, before flying to Johannesburg. The sanctuary in Vaalwater is about 150 miles north of Johannesburg.
. . .
"Their forever homes will have acres of natural bush with watering holes, platforms, trees, vegetation all safely secure behind double electric fencing," according to ADI.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/05/01/Rescued-circus-lions-flown-to-South-Africa/2311462125163/?spt=sec&or=tn
[center]~ ~ ~[/center]
Short video at this link:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/dozens-lions-freed-south-american-circuses-find-new-home-in-african-bush
Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)JOHANNESBURG, May 1, 2016
Updated: May 1, 2016 23:48 IST
Rescued circus lions airlifted to South Africa
[font size=1]
Two of the rescued lions squabble through the fence of their new enclosure at the Emoya sanctuary in South Africa on
Sunday. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
[/font]
. . .
Close monitoring
The 33 lions will be monitored by a vet for their first weeks in Africa.
They will then be introduced to each other in a one hectare bonding enclosure.
Many of the lions were never allowed to have direct physical contact with other lions and have never been together without a fence or a cage separating them. Due to their poor physical state, the lions will never be able to hunt again and will have to be cared for with food and water for the rest of their lives.
Emoya will feed the cats with game meat, which it buys in bulk. The enclosures will be fitted with drinking pools, platforms and toys to ensure the lions dont become bored and will be steadily expanded as they become familiar with their new life, said Savannah Heuser, who started Emoya with her mother. Emoya, in an area with a mix of habitats, including mountainous regions, rolling grasslands, forests, cliff caves and river gorges, has a strict non-breeding policy, Heuser said.
Female lions may receive contraceptive medications so they can remain with their mates, while males may undergo vasectomies to make sure than no lions are bred in captivity.
The animals have no conservation value whatsoever. Many of them have been inbred, she said.
When we are sure that no breeding will take place, we allow males to interact with females. By then a pattern will have emerged ... and we will know which lions can be placed together.
The sanctuary is currently home to eight big cats, including two Siberian tigers. AP
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rescued-circus-lions-airlifted-to-south-africa/article8544390.ece
Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)What it looks like when circus lions get a new beginning
Thirty-three rescued lions were flown from South America to South Africa over the weekend to their new home at a sanctuary.
Please see link for short video and photos!
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/05/01/what-it-looks-like-when-circus-lions-get-a-new-beginning.html
Coventina
(27,223 posts)To see them bask in the sunshine and feel the wind, and walk on the earth and rub against trees all for the first time?!?!?
This is like much needed food for my soul.....
Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)It's definitely real food for me, too.
Thank god they got out of those cages, and away from the twisted people.
Coventina
(27,223 posts)I just can't get enough!!
Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)Abused circus lions arrive in SA
Sunday 1 May 2016 15:56
SABC
Thirty-three neglected and abused circus lions that were rescued in South America last year, have arrived in South Africa.
The big cats were taken from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to the Emoya Nature Reserve near Vaalwater in Limpopo.
Twenty-four of the lions had been confiscated by Animal Defenders International and the police from circuses in Peru.
Circuses in Columbia handed over another nine lions after their government banned their use.
The lions were in cages for four days on international flights before being released on Sunday.
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/217f5e804c9abbdb88e3cd0d7b160175/-
- VIDEO at link -
hermetic
(8,338 posts)I gave a few $ towards this effort and it just fills my heart to see those happy faces.
Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)brings joy, but also such sadness that they were once helpless.
With these loving people on their side, they have true peace in their lives. They have no idea how many people love them, and those to join then in the future, no doubt, but let's hope their world will seem far more wonderful every moment in their "forever home."
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Thanks for posting, Judi.
ailsagirl
(22,907 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,662 posts)[center]
[/center]Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)I donated and kept waking up in the middle of the night a couple days ago to check to see if they'd made it to the sanctuary.
So glad they get to feel the sun and soil now, finally.