You’ll be pleased to know that Dhubiya and Aziza have fully recovered after their sterilisation operations last week. As well as preventing breeding this will also reduce risk of pyometra, a sudden and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus, and certain cancers. This means the girls can live in family groups which include males. And sometimes, with the numbers and breakdown of males and females we rescue, this can be the difference whether they live a lifetime alone or enjoy the touch, communication, and companionship of another lion.

The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary ‘no breeding’ policy is based on three key issues in animal protection and wildlife:

• There are thousands of suffering lions all over the world and not enough homes for them. If we breed more, the situation is worsened.
• When bred in captivity, inbreeding results in genetic mutations which means our lions are not as healthy and able as their counterparts in the wild.  
• In captivity, close contact with humans (and sometimes other species with which they would not normally have contact in the wild), can cause them to carry variations of human or other diseases which cannot necessarily be detected, this could present a danger to wild populations.

For these reasons, as a true sanctuary, ADIWS does not breed and create more captive lions and more pressure on places for them to live. In addition, like many governments, the Government of South Africa requires that as a regulated sanctuary, we do not breed.

Our newest young residents rescued from the Kuwait illegal trophy pet trade, have settled in well, enjoying the sights and sounds of their African homeland. We hope Dhubiya, Aziza, Muheeb and Saif will form a pride, but this will take time. Dhubiya has already been living with Saif. Small and shy Aziza is in a separate habitat, but has been sitting close to the fence with neighbour Muheeb, and he is fascinated. She is also spending some time near Dhubiya in the habitat with Saif on the other side of her habitat. Saif and Dhubiya appear quite settled, so we will wait and see what Aziza wants.

This will be a cautious process making full use of our facilities for introductions.  We amended the habitats so that they can circulate in the different rooms, getting to know each other’s scent. We know you will be willing these young lions on, and we’ll be keeping you informed on how things are going, along the way! You can check out the highlights of the recent veterinary day here.