This week, the six lions that were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Kuwait, Shujaa, Saham, Dhubiya, Saif, Aziza and Muheeb, will complete their quarantine period at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Following a veterinary assessment, they will be released into their larger habitats.

Our big boys Shujaa and Saham will be going into the main 4-acre Abbey Habitat – supporters will remember the happy years that Leo and Muñeca spent here under the trees and in the open grasslands. The four other lions are in our introduction habitat comprising of Kakato Home Sweet Home and Keith’s Happiness Habitat. This has a total of three houses, five feeding camps and two 1-acre sections and one half-acre section. Dhubiya, Saif, Aziza and Muheeb will be able to rotate through this, spending time next to each other, in each other’s space and we can see how they interact. Dhubiya and Saif are already very closely bonded and although Aziza has spent time with them, she doesn’t seem to have formed a bond and at this stage, seems to be really enjoying her own space. It is possible Aziza and Muheeb can form a pair, or we could have a magnificent pride of all four, or Aziza and Muheeb might just like their own space. We shall see over the coming months – it will be a slow process. For now we can’t wait to see all of the Kuwait 6 getting a bigger taste of Africa!

This Sunday we will be LIVE on Facebook to see the Kuwait6 lions in their new habitats.

Special thanks to the ADI supporters who made this rescue and care for the lions possible; the Kuwait Zoo and officials for providing a safe haven; Leila & Bridges From Kuwait; Qatar Airways who got us home; Gas Boys of Virginia for the truck; and very special thanks to Dr Peter Caldwell and Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic, who went above and beyond.

To adopt any of the Kuwait 6 lions (you can also now adopt all six) to help provide their ongoing care: UK store | US store