Simba has been taken into hospital today to try and establish the cause of nosebleed. At 17 years old, Simba is one of our senior lions at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, having been rescued with brother Rey Ayacucho (Rey A) from a circus in Peru eleven years ago.

Simba has been treated for several years for serious arthritis which has left his hind legs distorted and was sedated and thoroughly examined by Dr Caldwell earlier this year. Two months ago, Simba began to have nosebleeds and Dr Caldwell prescribed a course of medication which seemed to do the trick but now the bleeding has started again.

Today, Simba walked into his travel crate and as a precaution, has been taken to Old Chapel Vet Clinic for observation and tests. Simba and brother Rey A are incredibly close and many will remember their joyous reunion after they were separated for the first time in their lives when Rey A had to go to hospital (check comments for the amazing video).

While Simba is away, the ADIWS Resident Welfare Team will be giving ReyA extra attention and spraying his favourite dens with Feliway which mimics a natural, calming pheromone.

Send your love to Simba. We all hope that this will prove to be nothing serious and the boys will be back together and roaring in Guibord-Sprague Habitat soon.