Good to see Iron looking back to his usual magnificent self after over three hours of dental surgery at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary at the weekend. Dr Peter Caldwell was at the sanctuary on Saturday assessing the animals and giving vaccinations. Dr Gerhard Steenkamp performed three root canals, two extractions, repaired a fractured molar in Iron who was originally rescued from a circus in Colombia.
Continue readingAuthor: animaldefendersinternational
Leo watches over Muñeca when she gets sick
19-year-old Muñeca is now in Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital after she became lethargic and stopped eating. Leo clearly realized something was wrong and stood by his adored Muñeca, encouraging and wrapping his legs around her. A reminder of just how important social bonds are to lions.
Continue readingLion loyalty
Tarzan says “No” to food and meds until he sees his Tanya! Recently, Tarzan was unwell. Taking no chances, we took him to hospital. But he was miserable there and refused to eat or take his medication. The solution – bring his Tanya in early for her dental check! The couple were put together in the same hospital room. They were overjoyed to see each other, and Tarzan immediately took his meds, ate his dinner, and went straight to sleep, guarded by his Tanya!
Continue readingLionesses enjoying football
Congratulations to the “Lionesses” (England’s women’s football team) for winning Euro 2022. The lionesses at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary love their football as shown off here by Mahla at the weekend. The lions do however take the expression “tough tackling” to another level”!
Not to be left out, the Sanctuary’s tiger team also loves to play ball, although their rules can be hard to follow.
If you’d like to fund a ball or other enrichment, click here.
Catnip time!
Big or small, all cats go crazy for it. Huge thanks to Kunduchi Pet Products, a company based in South Africa, for donating 10kg of catnip to provide our rescued lions and tigers fun enrichment. Enrichment and play are essential for keeping rescued animals physically and mentally healthy. Enjoy these photos of our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary residents enjoying catnip stuffed into boxes with teff. Which photo is your favorite?
If you’d like to donate towards more catnip and other enrichment for our big cats to enjoy, click here.
Playful Spice
Precious Jade has one thing on her mind as she strides across the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary’s Tiger Territory: FUN! Jade has proven to be the especially playful one of the boisterous ‘Spice Girls’, a group of tigresses rescued by ADI from a Guatemalan circus, including sister Luna and sisters from another litter Sun and Moon. Jade loves to chase and be chased, and right now she’s ready to wind down and relax in the pool.
Continue readingMagnificent Max and Stripes
You remember those tiny cubs ADI rescued from a circus holed up in a junkyard in Guatemala? Well, they grew up to be really, really BIG. With good food, care and nutritional supplements, all the cubs we rescued in Guatemala – Max, Stripes, Sun and Moon – have outgrown the rest of their family, who endured lifelong malnutrition in the circus. The boys were once the shyest of the animals at the ADIWS but have steadily become increasingly friendly and inquisitive.
Freedom looks good on Tomas
Strikingly handsome ex-circus lion Tomas checks out his kingdom from his viewing platform before retiring for a nap at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. After ADI helped to enforce legislation banning all animal circus acts in Guatemala, Tomas’ family members Kimba and Sasha were handed over to ADI and cared for at our Temporary Rescue Unit. Tomas was first given to a zoo by the circus, but thankfully, the zoo did not have space for him and he was brought to ADI and reunited with his pride.
Continue readingBorn to be wild
For animals like Sasha, rescued from a circus in Guatemala and now at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, it is sadly not possible to return them to the wild. But we can try to do the next best thing. She has the space to roam – the 2.5-acre Stephi Habitat – and a natural habitat she can blend into and disappear from view. Seeing Sasha leaping over one of the natural pools in her habitat or suddenly springing into the air to try and catch a bird are spectacular sights. It’s a long way from that bare circus cage in Guatemala, this is her piece of ‘wild’.
Continue readingSoaking up the rays with Rey
The close bond between brothers Smith and ReyC, seen here soaking up the last rays of afternoon sun from their viewing platform, has always been apparent. When they were in a Peruvian circus, they endured abuse, malnutrition and confinement in tiny cages.
Smith, who lacks a mane due to castration, almost lost his life after he pounced on a member of the public during an incredibly reckless performance – ADI successfully fought to save him.
They and their family were rescued and flown to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in their native Africa. These two magnificent boys now share the spacious 6 acres of the Stephanides Habitat. Help support the lifetime of the care they deserve.
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 