Stripes on patrol

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Stripes on patrol at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Stripes and brother Max enjoy the 5+ acre Kakato by April Fong Habitat at the Sanctuary. They have two pools, Stripes is passing the largest, two big platforms, trees, various enrichment, a feeding camp and two room night house. Rescued as six-month old cubs from a circus cage in a junkyard in Guatemala, we wonder if they remember much of those early months when they were being passed from person to person for photographs?

Remember: Never pay money to have photographs with or cuddle baby animals.

Matilda and gang

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As the movie said, “If you build it they will come”, and with no sanctuary for farm animals in our region in South Africa, the cows, sheep, goats, and pigs Roosevelt and Churchill seem to have been queuing up for a place in our fields of dreams! Matilda arrived with a motley crew of eight goats and two sheep all rescued from different abuses, many tethered barely able to move in the hot sun and the two sheep rescued en route to being killed at a political rally. The gang all move around together and Matilda – who loves being hand fed apples – watches over all the smaller animals very protectively. It’s quite a sight watching the gang all walking together led by ADIWS team member Sello up to the top of the Sanctuary and, especially, coming back with the goats and sheep all starting to skip and run as they get close to the habitat where they currently live.

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This is the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary

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Seeing Kiara (left) and Africa sitting in the shade from the South African summer surrounded by lush grass and flowers, it’s hard to believe they were rescued from a tiny circus cage in the middle of the desert in Peru. The circus holding Africa, Kiara and their mother, Muñeca, had evaded ADI for months until we tracked them down in northern Peru near the border with Ecuador. The circus made a run for it and a dramatic chase ensued with the rescue almost thwarted when a herd of goats blocked the ADI team vehicles from crossing a bridge. But the circus was finally cornered in a small village and the three lionesses and two capuchin monkeys were rescued.

The monkeys went to an Amazon forest sanctuary in ADI care, Muñeca enjoyed many years reunited with Leo, and Africa and Kiara enjoy the 5-acre Davis Habitat you see stretching out behind them (Dad Leo is their neighbor).

Veterinary day for Ruben, Leo and Lupe

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We went live on Facebook from the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary for veterinary day. Dr Peter Caldwell checked up on some of the lions and tigers rescued by ADI from circuses and zoos around the world. First up was Ruben who was rescued from a private zoo in Armenia last year. Ruben arrived with extreme mobility difficulties and Dr Caldwell is overseeing a regime to improve his walking and all round movement. After a thorough examination of Ruben, he was really pleased with his progress. Ruben has been cleared to start using his bigger half-acre habitat. The grass slopes leading up to the viewing platform will be good for Ruben’s muscles. Watch the live of Ruben’s checkup here.

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Leo at 21

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Here is Leo, our oldest ADIWS resident, enjoying sitting in the shade among the summer flowers yesterday. Leo was rescued during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom which emptied Peru’s circuses, and we know is, at least, 21 years old. We rescued him ten years ago this year, and at that time, we believe Leo could have been 13 or 14 years old. Leo is father of many of the Peru ex-circus lions – certainly Kiara, Africa, Rolex, Chino and Coco, and possibly Rey and Kiara2 as well!

To adopt Leo and help with his ongoing care: US $ | UK £

Friday yawning with Rolex

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Sitting in the morning African sunshine, Rolex lets out a nice big yawn. The weekend is almost here for all of us, although every day is a lazy day for Rolex at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa!
Rolex was rescued from a circus in Peru during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom enforcing the country’s ban on wild animals in circuses ten years ago this year! ADI emptied every cage in a rescue mission lasting almost two years and saving over 100 animals including 33 lions!

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King Kesari surveys his land

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King Kesari surveys his land at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Born in South Africa, he avoided being put up for auction, where this magnificent lion most certainly would have been a target for a trophy hunter, instead he came to ADIWS. Since his arrival four years ago, Kesari has become a huge, playful presence with a mighty roar – Ruben is roaring back now. Living in Joan & Geoff Phillips Habitat he has become friends with his neighbors Chino and Coco on one side and Simba and Rey A on the other. If you come to volunteer at ADIWS, when you open your room’s curtains in the morning you will likely see Kesari, Chino and Coco.

Help care for the lions. Donate here.

Tanya nose dives into a bag of catnip

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Tiny but fierce Tanya investigates her new catnip bag. Thanks to the empty coffee bags donated by Highland Coffee Roastery, the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team are making up lots of treats for the lions and tigers. To help bring extra joy in the New Year for the big cats, you can still donate pumpkin treats and part of it will also go towards a day’s care for a lion or tiger. Donate here

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How Ruben’s life transformed in 11 pictures

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The world’s loneliest lion had been left behind in a zoo that closed in Armenia. All alone, he had lost his roar and confinement and malnutrition left him with difficulty walking. His progress since stepping out at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in August has been beyond our dreams. His movement has improved; he has relaxed; he played with his first toy and keeps on playing; he saw and heard other lions after six lonely years; and he is roaring with other lions again. 2023 was Ruben’s year, but we hope for even more in 2024 including a bigger habitat.

From his epic journey with ADI’s Jan and Tim from Armenia to Africa to roaring with other lions again, check out these images of Ruben’s incredible 2023!