Sasha is headed to Old Chapel Vet Clinic for tests and assessment, after appearing a little unwell.

The team at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary noticed that Sasha wasn’t being her normal, spirited self, with reduced appetite and remaining in one of her dens. This could just be a reaction to the change in the weather – South Africa’s winter began this week – but to be on the safe side, Dr Caldwell came and recommended a hospital assessment.

In November last year, Sasha was diagnosed with age-related degenerative retinal disease, with loss of peripheral vision, so we want to be sure her sight is not failing. Dr Caldwell conducted some initial examinations at ADIWS and will now conduct additional tests in hospital to see if there has been any progression – if so, we will adapt her habitat as needed.

Sometimes referred to as ‘Princess Sasha’ by the team because she does everything at her own pace and ignores calls for feeding if she is not in the mood, this indomitable lioness has faced many challenges. She was brutally declawed in a circus in Guatemala, crushing a toe, this led to infection then cancer of the bone in her leg, which Dr Caldwell later replaced the damaged bone with a titanium scaffold.

We hope that this will be a short visit and that Sasha will be back in no time alongside neighbours Kimba and Tomas (rescued from the same circus in Guatemala.

Animals rescued from abuse need lifetime care, can you donate today towards Sasha’s veterinary treatment and ongoing care?

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