During today’s veterinary checks Dr Peter Caldwell sedated our sanctuary matriarch Kiara Cusco (a grand old lady of 17 years) for a thorough health assessment.

Eleven years ago, Kiara’s anguish when her cubs were stolen from her by a circus in Peru, and her joy when ADI rescued and reunited the family, melted many people’s hearts. Today, Kiara remains fiercely protective of “babies” Scarc and Mahla and will “march our team off the property” if she feels they have come close enough.  Those cubs are big lions now, and Scarc gave Dr Caldwell a seriously threatening look when he darted Kiara.  Later, it was heart-warming to see Scarc come to mom’s side as she regained consciousness after being sedated.  He watched over her until she was fully awake.

Today’s examination went well and she was declared very fit for her age. Kiara had an eye removed some years ago as a result of damage which is common, due to years of poor nutrition in the circus. The good news is there are no signs of cataracts in her remaining eye, nor retinal degeneration. There are slight signs of glaucoma, which we will have checked by an ophthalmologist, but it is not hindering her sight. She has some age related issues such as muscle atrophy in her right shoulder and has medication to ease any discomfort. She also has arthritis in her feet due to the cruel practice of ‘declawing’, where the toes are cut off to remove the claws. This brutal operation damages the entire structure of the foot, and can lead to severe pain. Never declaw cats.

So where was Mahla during all of this? She was down the other end of Tohir Habitat, vigorously playing as usual. That’s kids for you.

Kiara fully recovered from her veterinary examination with Dr Caldwell the following day.