These are sisters Africa and Kiara today in the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, looking just like two lionesses should. It seems almost unimaginable that the cage in the second picture was their entire world for years in a circus in Peru. We took the second picture just after we had rescued them following Peru’s circus ban. Thanks to that ban no lions will ever be forced to live in the cage again and Africa and Kiara get to enjoy life in their natural world.

READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW A DONATION FOR THE LIONESSES THIS WEEKEND WILL BE DOUBLED

Alexis Diaz Limaco, is on the right of the picture above, just before lionesses were rescued. Tragically Alexis passed away in April at just 50 years old. He was a key member of our team for 20 years. We have a special memorial appeal which will go towards completing a tiger habitat and naming it in his honor; care for the lions and tigers at ADIWS; and continuing ADI’s work in Latin America. Sanctuary founder, Dr Betsy Coville, has offered to match every donation in memory of Alexis up to $15,000 / £12,000, you can do so here: Donate UK £ | Donate US $