Sasha has returned to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after a series of tests by Dr Peter Caldwell, and examination by an ophthalmologist at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic. The tests revealed retinal degeneration resulting in night blindness, very limited vision and no peripheral vision.

Although the primary cause of the degeneration is age-related, this will have been exacerbated by the years she endured in poor conditions in early life.  This is not the news we had hoped for, but she clearly still enjoys a quality of life and is not letting it stop her – she demonstrated that by leaping effortlessly onto her platform when she got home (see last picture).

It is now clear that her eyesight has been deteriorating for some time, but this incredible lioness had given no indication, and she has adapted to her failing eyesight with a few clues spotted recently.  It is the nature of these animals to not reveal signs of vulnerability and that has been the case with Sasha. It feels unfair that this amazing lioness must face another challenge. She endured years of pain in a circus in Guatemala after they declawed her, crushing a toe, which led to cancer spreading up her leg. Once she was in ADI care, Dr Caldwell performed ground-breaking surgery, removing the cancerous bone, and replacing it with a titanium implant. She has since been pain-free.  She still limps due to the shortening of her tendons from years of limping, but has a full range of movement, she can run and leap onto her platforms.

Sasha is a very tough, resilient lioness, who some of you will remember facing off with the equally feisty Tanya in the ADI Temporary Rescue Unit in Guatemala. She can also be very demanding and has been dubbed ‘Princess Sasha’ at ADIWS – she likes her meals delivered in the cool of the evening. This was on display at the hospital when it was time to come home. Johannes attempted to lure her into her travel crate, but she just lay down, yawning in the entrance. Eventually, Dr Caldwell had to sedate her to be loaded for the journey home. 

Sasha is back alongside brothers Tomas and Kimba and the ADIWS team will monitor and make adaptations as necessary to her habitat.