Captivity did not break Jade’s spirit

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Captivity can break their bodies but not their spirit. Jade is the most playful of the tigers rescued as ADI emptied Guatemala’s circuses following the country’s ban on animal acts, but her distinctive walk has a dark origin. Jade has a ‘goosestep’ walk due to spondylitis – a type of arthritis which causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. In captive big cats, this is primarily caused by poor nutrition. At the circus where we rescued Jade, we found drums full of chicken feet, which we were told was food for the cats. Jade and sister Luna were 18 months old when we rescued them and the damage had already been done. Their younger sisters from another litter, Sun and Moon, were rescued at the same time but were just six months old, so the damage had not started. Sun and Moon are now significantly larger than Luna and Jade, and walk and run normally because they grew from an earlier age with a proper diet with added vitamin and mineral supplements. Max and Stripes were rescued from the circus at 6 months old, many months after Luna and Jade. They have also benefited from a nutritious diet with added supplements since they were cubs, and as a result, they are much larger than their parents and luckily, no sign of spondylitis.

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Mighty Mahla

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It will be ten years ago this year that the two ADI raids on the same grim circus in Cusco, Peru, reunited Kiara with her cubs Mahla and Scarc. Those cubs grew into full grown lions several years ago and just look at Mahla at play now in the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), South Africa! Mahla’s strength and agility remind us that the lionesses are the hunters of the pride in the wild, providing the food for the family. Young Dhubiya, of the #Kuwait6 – six young lions rescued from Kuwait’s illegal pet lion trade that we hope will be arriving at the ADIWS in May – reminds us of a young Mahla. We can’t wait to see her getting to grips with some of the toys at ADIWS.

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Let sleeping cats lie

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David drowsily opens his eyes while napping in the grass of Camo Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary as the sun goes down – funnily enough this is the time when many of his neighboring lions are the most active! Rescued from a tiny circus cage in Peru, which he had never left and was scared to do so when we rescued him, David now roams almost 4 acres and seems very different from that nervous lion we saved ten years ago.

You might notice some of the fresh green grass shooting away after we have had torrential rain following the weeks of drought – the heavens seemed to weep for days for Ruben.

Tomas at the golden hour

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There was a time when Tomas didn’t get to enjoy the full warmth of the sun’s rays when he was in a circus cage in Guatemala. After the country’s animal circus ban passed, Tomas was handed over to a zoo where he lived until they no longer had space for him. With just 25 minutes’ notice, we made room for him at the ADI Temporary Rescue Unit in Guatemala, and then flew him and 16 other lions and tigers to South Africa.

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ADI President Jan Creamer remembers Ruben

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It is with huge sadness that I bring you news of the passing of our beloved and inspirational Ruben. I realize some of you may have already seen our announcements here and on social media – dear Ruben had many friends around the world.

As our vet Dr. Peter Caldwell advised, fifteen years of captivity and malnutrition left Ruben’s body compromised by spondylitis and degenerative neuropathy; the bones in his spine were disintegrating, damaging his spinal nerve. It was down to his character and determination that Ruben seized his time in Africa with both paws, enjoying a lifetime of experiences in just seven months (the equivalent of four years for a human).

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How Ruben’s lust for life inspired us all

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This week we said goodbye to our beloved and inspirational Ruben. 15 years of captivity and malnutrition left his body compromised by spondylitis and degenerative neuropathy; the bones in his spine were disintegrating, damaging his spinal nerve. We kept fighting for Ruben after he recently suffered a seizure and became unable to stand but he passed away, despite all the efforts of Dr Peter Caldwell.

When we first saw Ruben in Armenia January 2023 he was in terrible condition, his coat was matted, he was angry and suspicious, he could barely move without stumbling and falling over. In August 2023, we returned to Armenia to bring him to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) and saw he had deteriorated. Peter warned at the time that Ruben was “living on borrowed time” due to his multiple health issues. He prescribed medication to help Ruben move around. However, Ruben appeared to want to prove everyone wrong, and launched into his new life at ADIWS with enthusiasm, playing with his catnip toys, learning to roar again and communicate with the lion residents next door.

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Tragic news – Ruben has passed away

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We are all devastated to announce that our dear Ruben has passed away. Following a recent seizure, Ruben lost control of his back legs, leaving him struggling to get on his feet again. Despite his struggles, Ruben seemed positive, taking his medication, and responding to his carers. Sadly, his condition deteriorated and to get a more thorough diagnosis, Peter arranged an MRI to get images of Ruben’s spine, to see what could be done.

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Ruben in hospital

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As supporters know, Ruben has been struggling to walk again since his seizure and we have been discussing the possible causes with our veterinarian, Dr. Peter Caldwell. Ruben arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary last year with degenerative neuropathy and spondylitis which were causing him severe difficulties walking, losing balance, and stumbling. This is due to malnutrition and poor care throughout his life, combined with confinement and inbreeding. Ruben is a senior lion at 16 years old.

This morning, Ruben was less mobile and seemed dispirited. He has had good days and less good days, but has previously been in good spirits, engaged and pleased to see his carers. Peter examined Ruben and has speculated on two possible reasons for the seizure – either it is part of the ongoing degeneration of the nervous system or spine (the scale of any damage will be key to treatment) or inflammation, which he is optimistic we can treat. So Ruben has been sedated and taken into hospital for an MRI and Peter will take the opportunity to do a closer physical examination of his spine. This will give us a full diagnosis and a decision can be made on treatment.

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Ruben update

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Ruben is slowly recovering from his seizure but is not yet fully mobile, his balance has been affected. Despite it all, he seems in good spirits, is responsive to his carers, and has a good appetite. He is living in his outdoor den and comes out to sit in the sunshine. Ruben’s food and medicine is being delivered to him on the end of a stick, from the truck, twice a day. We slowly drive into the habitat to feed him and top up his water. Ruben is being incredibly calm, gentle, and cooperating with our Resident Welfare Team. He appears to understand we are trying to help.

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