As they play and cuddle in the long grass at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s hard to believe that Tomas and Kimba were ever separated. In fact as cubs they were torn apart as by a circus in Guatemala, and Tomas was sent to a zoo. ADI rescued Kimba from the circus when Guatemala banned animal circuses and then a few months later the zoo decided Tomas was no longer wanted. Our temporary rescue unit got just 25 minutes notice that Tomas would be dropped off. We finally reunited the boys at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. These days they are rarely apart. Rescued lions from circuses cannot be returned to the wild, so at ADIWS we give them the closest we can to a natural life. Huge natural habitats in the land of their forefathers and contact with their own kind. In the wild, the groups of male lions, usually relatives, are known as coalitions. We think Kimba and Tomas make a pretty formidable coalition.

Click here to help care for these brothers so they can continue to thrive together.