Yesterday, a horrific wildfire devastated Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa’s Western Cape. ADI has offered travel crates to relocate animals as well as emergency space with us.

Dr Peter Caldwell has flown down to treat animals. Panthera reports no people or animals have died, but some animals are in critical condition. The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary will be taking in at least two 9-year-old, female white lions with sight problems ­– Lei-ah (pictured) and Elsa – for as long as it takes for Panthera to rebuild (which could be up to a year or more, depending on damage to infrastructure). Dr Caldwell recommended to Panthera that Lei-ah and Elsa come to ADIWS because we have experience with animals with sight difficulties.

We are working today to create additional temporary space at ADIWS in case more is needed for other animals. An ADI team is on its way to Panthera to collect Lei-ah and Elsa, and possibly a tiger. It will be a 15-hour drive back with the animals. Our legal team is working to secure emergency permits to move the animals across state/province borders, as quickly as possible.

This is an unexpected emergency, requiring hiring a vehicle and road travel, then care for at least two new lions arriving at ADIWS in the next 24 hours.

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