Farewell to a giant: OJ

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We have heart-breaking news – our dear lion OJ, one of our circus survivors from Colombia, has lost his battle against cancer. We had hoped he would get longer in the sun with his lifelong friend Iron, but it was not to be.  

At the start of December, 15-year old OJ was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable leukemia.  With ADIWS veterinarian, Dr Peter Caldwell, we settled on treatment which would give him a good quality of life for a few months and if he was lucky, could give him years. Following treatment, our elderly warrior rallied and tests showed the cancer was retreating. He came home to the sanctuary for Christmas and continued his daily chemotherapy. 

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Homecoming

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Five lions and 12 tigers, rescued from Guatemala circuses, make a great escape to freedom at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. The animals were rescued during ADI’s 18-month operation to help enforce Guatemala’s ban on animals in circuses. Then, officials warned ADI to leave the country with the animals by 21 January or risk losing them. Organizing a flight like this normally takes weeks, but ADI was racing against time as flight after flight was blocked due to landing and security restrictions on flights from Guatemala. With just days to spare, ADI secured an escape route through Mexico, Belgium, and Qatar.

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Sasha lioness is home

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Our beloved Sasha has arrived home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after two months in the hospital!

In November, Sasha had ground-breaking surgery to remove diseased bone from her leg and replace it with a titanium scaffold and bone cement.  The damage to her leg started in the circus in Guatemala. During a brutal declawing operation, part of the toe was left and became infected, leading to a local cancer and then bone cysts spread up her leg.  

Now she begins a slow, careful rehabilitation at the sanctuary.

Donate to Help Sasha

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OJ home for Christmas!

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We are delighted that our dear Colombian ex-circus lion, OJ (Ojiclaro), has been discharged from hospital and is home for Christmas. 

OJ went into hospital a couple of weeks ago after he seemed unwell, and we were all so very sad when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Our vet Dr Peter Caldwell said his prospects were bleak, as no cure has been published, but when we asked how long OJ might have at home, Peter said there was something he could try. Naturally, we said yes. 

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Goodbye to a dear friend

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We are heartbroken that our dear Ricardo, the one-eyed ex-circus lion ADI rescued in Peru in 2014, has passed away in his sleep, at 19 years of age. We will have the results of his autopsy in a few weeks, but it appears that old age caught up with this warrior. He was one of the bravest lions we have encountered and loved by the ADI and sanctuary teams and our supporters.

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Happy Thanksgiving plus a message from lion David

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING and THANK YOU for all your wonderful support in this extraordinary year.  Enjoy seeing some of the animals rescued by ADI whose lives you have helped transform, including a special message from David (one of the circus lions we rescued in Peru) in his own inimitable voice.  We are all looking forward to 2021.  We know things will remain challenging for quite a while – if you can, check out Giving Tuesday fundraiser to support the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.  But what we have learned in 2020 is that together we can get through anything and keep saving animals.  THANK YOU.

A Ticket To Thrive for an animal saved from circus suffering

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A lifetime of suffering in the circus takes its toll. When ADI empties the cages and helps enforce national laws to end a whole industry, the animals saved require lifelong care and veterinary attention to deal with their physical and psychological damage. 

At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, we are currently caring for 42 lions and tigers, all bar one rescued from circuses in South America. Most have been cruelly mutilated through declawing. Many came into our care with broken teeth, dental treatment relieving them of years of pain. Others require ongoing medication and supplements to deal with health conditions caused through inbreeding and the long-term effects of their past abuse, confinement, and deprivation. To provide this, and to give these animals who have suffered so much the best possible life, we are reliant on our supporters and the public. 

This GivingTuesday – a global day of generosity taking place on December 1st – can you donate $10 / £8 for a Ticket To Thrive to care for one of our rescued animals for one day? You can do so through our dedicated donate page (for the UK click here) or our GivingTuesday Facebook fundraiser.

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