Help Matilda and friends

Will you help ADIWS provide a home for Matilda the cow, eight goats, two sheep, and a family of three horses?

The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) is a paradise for rescued lions and tigers and has become a beacon of hope for other animals across our region of South Africa, where there are very limited facilities for animals saved from abuse. Tragically, when animals in distress are confiscated, there is often nowhere for them to go. At ADIWS we have the space to answer some of these calls for help and aid the enforcement of animal protection laws. But with new species arriving, we need to ensure we can cover the fencing, food, care and veterinary costs.

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Ruben the cover star

Everyone knows that Ruben is a star, but now he’s also the cover star of the ADI 2024 Animal Rescue Calendar and our new greeting cards – the perfect way to spread cheer this holiday season! He was rescued from years of isolation and confinement in a private zoo in Armenia that had shut down, all animals removed except him. For six lonely years, Ruben had not heard another lion, and fell silent. He arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in August with difficulties walking and keeping his balance. The world watched as he wobbled out of his travel crate in his Keith’s Happiness Habitat and immediately played with his giant catnip punchbag. Now Ruben savors every bit of his new life at ADIWS, finding his voice again with his lion neighbors, enjoying catnip showers and all. His catnip-sprinkled mane in this calendar photo sums it up best.

2023 was certainly Ruben’s year…what will 2024 bring for this magnificent old warrior? Order your 2024 calendar today to support Ruben and our other rescued animals. Order US $ | UK £

Order your Ruben cards (packs of ten with envelopes), featuring his story of hope, resilience, and perseverance – the perfect message for the holidays. Order greeting cards US $ | UK £

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Ruben found his voice

This week Ruben found his voice. On Monday, there was something different about the sound when Simba and Rey were roaring and sure enough, Ruben was joining in with them! We are trying to get footage of him roaring with the other boys, but so far, by the time we get there, he’s stopped. He’s also announcing himself to everyone throughout the day, and we caught the video here – Ruben’s first real roar caught on camera! Turn the volume up, because for everyone who has followed him from his lonely life in Armenia to South Africa, this is a huge landmark. He is throwing himself into his roaring with such gusto, he wobbles but there’s no falling down for this loud, proud lion!

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Happy Halloween

It’s proving a fantastic Halloween 2023 at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary thanks to everyone who donated pumpkin treats for the rescued lions and tigers. All of the residents react differently, but you can see how much these treats mean, so do please keep giving so that the animals can keep having fun. Keep watching for classic Leo doing it his way at the end! Thank you to everyone who helped give them a Happy Halloween 2023!

You can still sponsor pumpkins. Anything else we raise will help keep the lions and tigers in treat for the rest of the year, while supporting their care. Donate here

Ruben’s happy Halloween

It’s our magnificent old warrior’s very first Halloween celebration at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. What must he think of all the new scents, textures, and tastes after years of deprivation in his tiny zoo cell in Armenia? He’s liked every treat put before him, including pumpkins and he loved getting these first Halloween pumpkins this weekend. Thank you to everyone who has been sponsoring pumpkins for Ruben and our other rescued big cats – you’ve also helped contribute to their care.

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Lions and tigers in the Halloween mood

The lions and tigers at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary love finding new things in their habitats and they all react in their own way to pumpkins and other enrichment. Thanks to everyone who has been sponsoring pumpkins while supporting a day’s care for a lion or tiger. It currently costs an average of $60 per day for each residents’ food, care, maintenance, etc. at ADIWS. The animals love their treats, but they especially love their dinner! Donate here.

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Make Ruben’s first Halloween extra special

Will you give Ruben and the other lions and tigers at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary a Halloween treat? This year, when you sponsor a pumpkin, part of it will go towards caring for our rescued big cats. We have three options: Individual pumpkins; ‘Golden pumpkins’ that fund a full day’s care as well; and ‘One-for-all’ a pumpkin for every lion and tiger (links in comments). Ruben has shown he loves all the enrichment he gets including his pumpkins so he’s going to love Halloween and we hope all the other cats will too. Any extra raised will go towards enrichment for the rest of the year.

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Scarc on a pumpkin hunt

Scarc sniffs around Tohir Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and finds a pumpkin. Thank you to everyone who has been sponsoring these Halloween treats – watch out for the lions and tigers having Halloween fun all of this week.

Scarc was just a cub when we rescued him from a circus in Peru but has grown into a magnificent lion in our care. This year our Halloween pumpkin appeal contributes a pumpkin and to the care needed to keep Scarc healthy and strong.

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New canvas prints available in the ADI store

Is there a special animal or two you are always eager to get updates on? The animals who always put a big smile on your face whenever you see their picture or video? Light up your room with stunning canvas prints of the rescued animals you love. Your purchase also helps support their care. We have a new selection ahead of the holiday season, featuring world-famous Ruben, sanctuary sweethearts Tarzan and Tanya, playful Jade, stunning Stripes, and the venerable Leo. Several supporters have also asked about canvas prints to remember dear Bumba, so we have added several images to our store – poignant portraits of the peaceful life Bumba enjoyed, thanks to ADI supporters.

Shop here for canvas prints for yourself or as a gift:

US: https://animal-defenders-international-shop-usa.com/collections/canvas-prints

UK: https://animal-defenders-international-shop.com/collections/canvas-prints