Jan and Tim report from Kuwait today. All five of the young lions who ADI is calling for help to take to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), were victims of the illegal pet trade. They were either seized, captured after being dumped, or voluntarily surrendered. They are in custody at the closed Kuwait Zoo where the lions have been cared for until a home could be found, we are grateful to the staff and volunteers who have helped.
These lions have had at least three homes in their short lives: in the hands of the traffickers who sold them into the illegal pet trade, their previous owners, and in the temporary holding at the zoo. WITH YOUR HELP ADIWS WILL BE THEIR FOREVER HOME. We await permits from South Africa. Qatar Airways Cargo has generously offered to transport the animals free of charge, as they did with Ruben!
We have had a very positive meeting today with zoo staff, assessing the animals, discussing the loading plan, logistics, travel to the airport when they leave. In South Africa, we are refurbishing crates from previous rescues, cut and flat-packed, to be shipped to Kuwait. So there will be transport, customs import and airport fees at both ends, to move the lions in Kuwait and out of Johannesburg to the ADIWS in South Africa.
We urgently need donations for their lifelong care – five young lions is a big addition to our food and veterinary bills! They have their whole lives ahead of them, will you help give them a wonderful future with ADI in their new African home?
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED TODAY ABOUT ANOTHER LIONESS, ALSO FROM THE PET TRADE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER WE CAN ADD HER TO OUR AIRLIFT WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP.
NEVER FORGET: LIONS MUST NEVER BE PETS!
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 