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!
Continue readingHappy 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.
Continue readingLions 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.
Continue readingMake 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.
Continue readingHappy National Pumpkin Day!
Halloween is just days away, but thanks to ADI supporters who have donated to our special appeal, the lions and tigers at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary have already been given pumpkin treats to kick off the festivities. This year, when you sponsor a pumpkin, you’re also supporting the daily care of a rescued big cat.
Continue readingScarc 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.
Continue readingNew 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
Show your love for Ruben!
By popular demand, you can now wear your love for Ruben with our brand-new t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and sweatshirts (adult and kids sizes and different colors available).
Each purchase will go towards supporting his lifelong care.
RUBEN READY FOR HALLOWEEN.
We have launched our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary Annual Halloween Pumpkin Appeal and Ruben has a head start, getting daily pumpkins and other toys as part of the routine to aid his physiotherapy. Ruben seems to enjoy every form of enrichment we have given him so far!
The lions and tigers love playing with these treats, so will you help give everyone some Halloween fun? With your help, we will be publishing pictures in the build-up to Halloween as Ruben and his friends react to their treats and watch out for the new ADIWS Annual Halloween video.
This year, to secure their future, half of the pumpkin donation ($7.50/£6) will go to our care costs. Or, you can be a ‘golden pumpkin sponsor’ supporting a pumpkin and a full day’s care for a lion of tiger ($64/£50). Or you might want to be super generous and go for our ‘One-For-All’ option – a pumpkin for every cat ($232.50/£186). Let’s see if we can raise enough to keep the cats in treats all the way to Christmas!
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 