Aziza is the smallest and shyest of the Kuwait 6 lions rescued from the illegal wildlife trade – but she is growing in confidence.

Abandoned when she was no longer wanted as a ‘trophy pet’, she was found in the streets of Kuwait City and taken to the zoo. ADI was called in to relocate Aziza and five other lions (Dhubiya, Saif, Muheeb, Shujaa and Saham) to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. When we first saw her she was extremely nervous, frantically pacing and would not come near us.

When she arrived at ADIWS, many of you will remember her coming out of her shell as she to play with her Kunduchi catnip punchbag, gleefully carrying it around her enclosure. The little lioness, with very delicate features (almost resembling a mountain lion) is growing in confidence. And we are pleased to see that she has been going to sit close to Muheeb on one side and spends time near Dhubiya on the other side of the introduction habitat.

Dr Peter Caldwell will be coming to ADIWS to spay Dhubiya and Aziza in the near future. This will prevent breeding as we introduce the lions, help stabilise the group, and reduce the dangers of cancer and pyometra for the lionesses.

Please consider adopting Aziza to support her ongoing care: UK store | US store