In late January, at short notice, ADI took over the rescue of young lions BenTzur and Ori, who had been confiscated from the illegal pet trade in Israel.

We flew to Israel to evaluate the lions and their situation and meet with officials. We organized new travel crates and were progressing rapidly towards the relocation when war broke out. While the situation remains unstable, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Last week we were told cargo airlines were considering announcing some flights.  Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv is operational, but flights are extremely limited, subject to security restrictions, but repeatedly cancelled because of the conflict. With the news of the Memorandum of Understanding to halt the war, we are crossing everything for peace and for BenTzur and Ori’s wait to be nearing an end.

The boys remain temporarily housed in a zoo which agreed to take them in until a home could be found.  They are safe but growing bigger all the time.

We hope to secure a flight from Israel to Germany and from there to South Africa. As feared, costs have escalated. We must raise $40,000 for the journey to cover their flight, accompanied by carers, transport to the airport in Israel, import and export services, permits, ground handling at three airports.  This just gets them home to Africa. Then, we must raise the biggest cost of all – construction of their new house, habitat, and lifetime care, food and veterinary costs. Potentially 20 years.

If all goes well, we could be booking within days, and fly in July – but we must be ready to pay for the flight at the first opportunity!

Can you help? Anything raised – the cost of a coffee, or a beer during the World Cup – will help us bring Ben and Ori a step closer to a new life. Donate US $, CA $ | Donate £, Euros, Rand

You can bring them home to sleep under African skies, bask in the sun, watch (and possibly chase) the native wildlife, hear the roars of other lions and learn to join the morning and evening song.