Mighty Rey licking his lips! He was rescued from a circus in Cusco, Peru, as ADI enforced the country’s ban on wild animals in circuses. He crossed the Andes and then the world to come home to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.
Diana Bell Miller and her Lion Lovers Facebook group committed to saving one of the lions during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom (33 lions were saved), and chose Rey.
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In many ways, big cats are much like oversized kittens. They certainly have a playful side and, as we’ve seen with our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary residents, they also enjoy toys, catnip and cardboard boxes, just like their very, VERY distant domestic cat cousins!
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This cardboard giraffe was no match for mighty Kesari, who demolished the enrichment in about one minute, even though he relished every second of it. Thanks to Kunduchi Pet Products for donating catnip which is used on enrichment like this – all vital for keeping our big cats physically and mentally healthy.
To donate toward more enrichment, which Kesari and the others love: Donate UK £ | Donate US $
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Tarzan is rarely seen without his devoted lioness, Tanya, by his side. They were rescued by ADI from a Guatemalan circus, where Tarzan had been attacked by a tiger who almost tore off his lower lip. These days, life is good for this warrior lion who is looking and feeling good too. Last year, our veterinary team gave him a partial lip lift to repair much of the damage.
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Lupe is a warrior princess. Like other members of her Guatemala tiger family we rescued who suffered multiple health issues due to circus life, Lupe also has seizures, for which she receives medication to keep them at bay.
Although Lupe and our other circus survivors are safe at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, the damage they endured in their previous lives can haunt them. In addition to inbreeding, poor nutrition in the circus results in nerve and spine malformations, which trigger seizures and damage the brain. That is why when we rescue an animal, we are committed to providing the very best, lifelong care. It costs $1,300 per month to care for a tiger or lion, so any help you can give truly makes a difference. Donate US $ | Donate UK £
It has lifted our spirits to see Smith looking more like his old self – although still showing signs where he was shaved for scans during his prolonged stay in hospital. Smith’s heart condition is serious, and we are in uncharted territory in terms of treatment.
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Rescued from a life of hell in a circus in Ayacucho, Peru, ReyA now enjoys a peaceful existence at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary with his best friend and brother, Simba. For the first seven years of their lives, the pair were crammed into a tiny, bare cage. Now, they roam an extensive grassland enclosure in their homeland, Africa.
Gentle giant Kesari fills this little house!! We added A frames to the habitats at ADIWS as extra enrichment and shelter in addition to our big cats’ various platforms, houses and trees. Something new always attracts interest and you can see just how big Kesari is compared to the other lions as he fills the space.
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The world’s most loving lions are settling in for the evening at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. They stuck with each other through thick and thin in a circus in Guatemala before they were rescued by ADI. In the circus a tiger tore apart Tarzan’s face as tiny Tanya battled to protect him. Last year, our veterinary team gave him a partial lip lift to repair much of the damage. For those of you who remember Tarzan when we first rescued him, you can see the significant improvement in this picture. You may also get a chance to meet this magical pair live of Facebook this weekend.
WE WILL BE LIVE ON FACEBOOK FROM ADIWS SATURDAY (17th) & SUNDAY (18th) 5pm (South Africa); 4pm (UK); 11am (EST); 8am (PST).
Continue readingAhead of Father’s Day, we look back on the rescues of ADI Wildlife Sanctuary dads Leo and Rey Cusco and their families. Take a moment to look what they came from and where they are now.
On the first day of ADI’s operation to empty circuses following Peru’s ban, Leo and his boys Coco, Chino and Rolex were rescued. However, the circus blocked the removal of the lionesses and escaped into hiding. Months later, ADI tracked them down, saving Leo’s beloved Muñeca and daughters Africa and Kiara2, reuniting them before settling them in Africa.
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ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 