David and Easy’s first Valentine’s Day

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She was rescued from a circus in Colombia and he from a circus in Peru. Who would’ve thought they would roam their own piece of Africa together, but that is just what they do everyday at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Lions are social animals, and companionship of their own kind is probably the greatest gift we can give them. As we approach Valentine’s Day we will be celebrating the incredible and moving relationships of the animals rescued by ADI. You can help support this through our adoption program. How about giving the loved one in your life a VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT ADOPTION OF OUR LOVING COUPLE DAVID AND EASY?

Adopt David and Easy here:

Adopt US $
Adopt UK £

A Valentine’s Day Gift Adoption includes a personalized certificate, Valentine’s card, ADI Rescuer newsletter, rescue updates and a beautiful photograph of David and Easy perfect for framing.

Somewhere over the rainbow

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A double rainbow this week over Kornberg Habitat home to Chino and Coco, Joan & Geoff Phillips Habitat home to Kesari, and Guibord-Sprague Habitat home to Simba and Rey. Kesari, who came to us from Pretoria Zoo, is the biggest lion at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and has struck up friendships with his neighbours who were rescued from circuses in Peru. He tends to move across the 2.5 acre habitat to spend time lying alongside each pair of neighbours. These are views from Chris Lee Lodge which this year will become our volunteer and visitor accommodation. Kesari also has the loudest roar and regularly gets Simba, Rey, Chino and Coco going with choruses – the roaring can be pretty loud in Chris Lee Lodge! Please drop us a line if you would like to be kept informed of opportunities to visit or volunteer at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.


PS: Smith and Rey Cusco have been successfully reunited after Smith’s hospital visit and we will post pics soon.

Great news: Smith is home and Rey greets him

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Smith has arrived back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after a stay in the Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital where Dr Caldwell treated him for an intestinal inflammation. Watch how his brother Rey (rescued from the same circus in Peru) comes to greet him and waits by the fence. The boys (Smith is a castrated male) will be back together tomorrow. We give them a little time where they can see each other and let the smells of the hospital wear off before we put them together again.

Help Ruben roar and hear the roars of others

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Ruben was in a private zoo in Armenia which closed, the other animals were removed but Ruben was left behind. His world went silent. For over five years Ruben’s roars have gone unanswered. He has now been moved to Armenia’s Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife & Cultural Assets bear sanctuary, where ADI is funding his care in a quarantine unit. He has just been microchipped, had the necessary vaccinations and blood tests required for international travel. Dr Harutyn Hovhannisyan is working with Dr Peter Caldwell to establish a regime to prepare him for his journey and provide any necessary pain relief.

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Jade’s giant step

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It was three years ago this week that Jade stepped from her travel crate at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after an epic journey from Guatemala where she had been rescued from a circus. What must have been going through her mind? It proved to be a huge step into a new life for Jade (and indeed the 16 other tigers and lions who arrived with her). Our pictures give a glimpse of three years of racing around her habitat, causing trouble and playing with her sisters (the Spice Girls), lounging in her pools and exploring. A life transformed thanks to ADI supporters – and it began with that step three years ago. Thank you.

Smith on the mend

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We are delighted to report that the much-loved Smith is regaining his appetite under Dr Peter Caldwell’s watchful eye, at Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital. The huge lion has had x-rays, ultrasounds, and is now on medication and recovering from an intestinal inflammation. He will remain in hospital under observation until Dr Caldwell is satisfied he is ready to come home to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and to his brother Rey Cusco. Keep sending your love for his speedy recovery.

Mr Smith has no mane because he was castrated in the circus in Peru, where he was rescued by ADI in 2014. He is 11 years old and weighs a whopping 187.kg – second only to our largest resident, Mr Kesari (192.kg).

Easy taking it easy

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Beautiful Easy, rescued from a circus in Colombia, and now taking it easy at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. At 17 years old, she is one of our senior lions. Like many of the lions rescued by ADI from circuses in Colombia and Peru in 2014, Easy is developing cataracts, often instigated by years of malnutrition early in life, but this is not causing her problems exploring Camo Habitat with companion David. The two were the first success story of our program to bring lonely lions together and are clearly loving life together.

To adopt our senior lioness Easy and help support her care:

Adopt Easy $
Adopt Easy £

Smith in hospital, Iron improving

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Dr Peter Caldwell visited the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after concerns about 11 year old Smith who had stopped eating and 17 year old Iron who was limping, eating less, and had stopped roaring. Iron has responded well to a change in his arthritis medication, is regaining his appetite, walking much better and he is roaring like his old self. Iron’s teeth were examined and he will be in our next round of dental work. We remain concerned about the lovely Smith as it is very unusual for him not to eat and he appears nauseous. He is under observation at Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital and scheduled for x-rays, an ultrasound and further blood tests. Send him your love, we all hope that he will be well and back with brother Rey Cusco soon.

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