Spring has sprung for those in the Northern Hemisphere, and Smith certainly has a spring in his step! You may recall the video we shared of him leaping for his recycled coffee bag enrichment, but this captures him perfectly in midair. Although he is now 12 years old, it’s great to see his agility.

Smith was rescued from a circus in Peru a decade ago (he has no mane because he was castrated there). It was Smith’s famous leap that led to us saving the rest of the Cusco family and reuniting Kiara with her then-cubs Mahla and Scarc. The circus invited a woman in the audience into the ring for Smith to jump over. Smith leaped and grabbed for the woman instead, dragged her around the ring while the circus presenter repeatedly beat him. The woman survived but there were calls for Smith to be killed. ADI spoke out in the media and met with government ministers, pointing out that the only one who was not voluntarily in the ring that night was Smith.

Safe at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, Smith is free to do what he wants.

Click here to support Smith and our other rescued animals.