Time seems to have flown since BenTzur and Ori lives touched down at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. It took a lot to get them here, but the boys are definitely home and loving it!

They were seized from the illegal ‘trophy pet’ trade by Israel’s Nature & Parks Authority over a year ago, but in March their chance of a new life was snatched away due to the war in the Middle East. For four months they were stranded with flights cancelled. When we learned of a cargo flight out of Tel Aviv we seized the opportunity and this month the boys flew home. 

But with limited flights available it proved to be a long trip. We flew south to Cairo then north to Frankfurt and then after more than ten hours south again to Johannesburg – 7,500 miles, almost 3,500 more miles than flying direct! It took two days and was pretty exhausting.  Were you watching our live updates as we made the journey?

So, as the lions play in the South African sunset, do you think it was all worth it? We certainly do.

Check out our Ori and BenTzur T-shirts, raising funds for their care, and remembering their epic journey to a new life. http://bonfire.com/bentzur-ori

REMEMBER: Never support, share, like or endorse in any way posts showing people cuddling or posing with lion or tiger cubs. Those animals want to be with their mothers not people using them as fashion accessories.  It’s cruelty not kindness.