Seven tortoises rescued from the path of the recent wildfires in Free State, South Africa are now enjoying new lives roaming the 455-acre ADI Wildlife Sanctuary!
Did you know, ADI has rescued and returned to the wild (in Africa and South America) more tortoises and turtles than any other species?
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You can see Ruben still loves his catnip treats! Ruben was rescued from years of isolation and confinement in a private zoo in Armenia. He arrived at the ADI Wildlife in August with difficulties walking and keeping his balance. Every day, the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary Team give him different forms of enrichment to keep him engaged, moving and having fun. And he is loving his physiotherapy!
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Resident Welfare Manager Johannes enjoys bonding time with our oldest lion at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), South Africa. It’s part of the ADIWS Resident Welfare Team’s work to build trust with our rescued lions and tigers in order to better care for them, such as when medical issues arise.
Johannes understands Leo’s preferences and needs. When it’s time for feeding and medications, he calls out to our old warrior, and waits patiently – it can take a while to rouse a 20-year-old lion from his nap! Eventually, Leo’s head pops up from the long grass in his 4-acre Abbey Habitat and he slowly strolls over, following Johannes to his night house where he is hand fed (with tongs), like the king he is.
Time with Leo is time well spent, wouldn’t you agree?
You can adopt Leo, from just $5/£3.50 month, to support his ongoing care so he can continue to thrive in his golden years. Adopt US $ | UK £
Or to simply donate towards Leo’s care, donate here.
This week marked four years since the mighty Kesari arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. We watched with bated breath as his crate was opened, and then…. Nothing. We stepped away and let him come out in his own time. He finally slipped out and went straight into a den – check out the last pic of Jan and Tim creeping up to see how he was. It took a few days before cautious Kesari roared.
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Our sanctuary lovebirds, Tarzan and Tanya, are often seen showing their affection – from nuzzling to kissing each other. Here they cuddle together while napping in their Augie Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. They have been together for at least 12 years, and their love got them through years of hell in a circus in Guatemala.
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Fun-loving Mahla is a kitten at heart, seizing any opportunity to play in her Tohir Habitat. Here she shows the Robust-A-Ball who’s boss. She was rescued as a cub from a circus in Peru, along with her family. Confined to her circus cage, she had no opportunity to exercise and play, let alone stretch. At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, she enjoys an array of enrichment, and space to run and play, but importantly, freedom of choice.
Help keep the fun going by donating toward more enrichment for Mahla and her family. Donate here.
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The fun-loving Spice Girls love their tiger pools at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, especially now, in South Africa’s spring. Jade, one of the friendliest and most playful of the tigers often turns up for dinner soaking wet. If the pool is too busy, they will often dunk in the water trough – Luna’s favorite trick!
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Born in a circus in Guatemala, separated as cubs to live at opposite ends of a cage on a truck, then Tomas was sent to a zoo and it seemed certain the boys would never see each other again. But ADI rescued and reunited them at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Now each evening as the sun goes down, they march side by side to the far end of Jacque Habitat, bumping heads and settle to bask in the golden rays of the sun.
Never ever give up, because miracles can happen against all odds. There’s evidence of one this evening in the glow of the setting African sun….
Siblings Africa, Kiara2 and Rolex are clearly relaxed after a huge wildfire was stopped from entering the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary yesterday. The alarm was sounded about a fast-moving fire 25 miles away. The ADIWS team loaded our fire fighters and began bringing the lions and tigers into their safe zones. Within 40 minutes 26 lions and tigers were in the feeding camps and the ground was being soaked. Five lions were taking their time coming in – father Leo and children Africa and Kiara2, and Tarzan and Tanya (who never hurry for anyone). Nevertheless the team persevered and everyone was in their safe zones within an hour of the alarm – unsurprisingly, Leo was the last to potter in. Strong winds drove the fire and it reached our north and west perimeters about four hours later, where it was stopped by the brave efforts of our team. See video of the shocking events earlier.
Please support our ongoing investment in fire prevention measures and keep these animals sleeping blissfully. Donate here
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Kesari makes objects look smaller than they appear. He also doesn’t know his own strength – he leaned against his A frame and it collapsed! Our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team has since rebuilt it, but it just goes to show how big Kesari is.
The A frames are a favorite among our rescued lions, including Ruben. They provide shade while still allowing the occupants to watch events and feel the breeze, especially now that it’s spring.
Kesari needed a home after he was driven out by his pride at Pretoria Zoo. ADI stepped in to offer him a forever home. He lives in the Joan & Geoff Phillips Habitat and is friends with neighbors Coco and Chino on one side and Simba and ReyA on the other, and one habitat away from his new neighbor, Ruben.
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 