Kiara Piura (Kiara2) is back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, ready for the New Year, after surgery to remove her eye on Christmas Eve.

She stepped briskly out of her travel crate into her feeding camp and brother Rolex in the adjoining habitat and sister Africa in the feeding camp next door were pleased to see her. Kiara and Africa will be reintroduced after the ADIWS team have monitored them and feel Kiara is settled. Kiara had already adapted to severely restricted vision in one eye and it hasn’t stopped her leaping onto her platforms or crates so we don’t expect her to have any trouble following the surgery.

For over a year we have been aware that Kiara’s eye would require removal at some stage. However, the deterioration was rapid in the week before Christmas and we are very grateful to Dr Peter Caldwell and his team at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic for immediately stepping in to perform the surgery and keeping Kiara under observation during the holiday period.

Eye problems due to early age malnutrition in the circus are a common problem amongst our rescued lions. However, those who have needed to have eyes removed, currently Kiara Cusco and Smith, have all adapted well.