Before their rescue, our circus survivors lived for years in barren cages, deprived of anything natural. Ruben had also endured years living in a concrete zoo cell, far removed from his natural world. At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, they enjoy natural, wild space – rewilded farmland on which we’ve planted native trees and encouraged wild fauna and flora.

We recently received a donation of 100 trees from Trees for Africa. These are saplings, so ADIWS gardener Christopher is busy planting to take advantage of the rainy season. He has also been making his own compost with the help of Matilda and the donkeys. We are hoping to establish the trees before the winter, which starts in June in South Africa. Given the growth of the trees donated last year, we are hopeful that we will see a significant difference in the Sanctuary landscape next summer.

If you’d like to help give our residents more structural, larger trees, to create immediate shade, you can sponsor one here (includes all costs):

3-4 metres (10-13ft): $260 / £220

4-6 metres (13- 20ft): $360 / £300

5-8 metres (16-26ft): $600 / £500

Sponsor a tree or trees