brothers

Brothers Tomas and Kimba

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A picture that says it was worth all those months carefully reuniting brothers Tomas and Kimba at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Separated by a circus in Guatemala and then rescued separately by ADI, the brothers were not believed to have been together for many years. Bringing two adult male lions together has to be approached with caution, carefully moving forward and with them close to each other and seeing how they interact. But lions are social animals and companionship means the world to them, as this image shows.

Kimba and Tomas head into storm

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Often just before a storm hits the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary following a hot day, several of the lions and tigers will get more active, appreciating the refreshing drop in temperature. Last week as storm clouds began to darken the skies, Tomas and Kimba headed to the most open part of their habitat and seemed to savor the changing weather – they faced into the wind, closing their eyes, smelling the air and letting it blow through their manes. The brothers were rescued from a circus in Guatemala and reunited at ADIWS, here, they looked utterly at one with their wild and natural environment.

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Smith getting better

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We recently posted about Smith’s return to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary from hospital and his medications, to help with a gastric problem. Rey and Smith were delighted to see each other with much head bumping and rubbing. They settled in their huge habitat with Rey sitting by Smith as he continued to recover. Rey realized something was wrong with his friend and, over the next few days, became very protective of Smith, who had become a bit depressed. Rey would block and try and chase away the team who were giving Smith his meds – they are normally fed and medicated in separate rooms in the house but Smith couldn’t get in. It was very moving to see, but it was essential that Smith’s recovery did not falter, so to make sure Smith gets all his meds, we had to put them in separate parts of their habitat – they can still see each other.

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Tomas and Kimba snuggle up

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One great big bundle of paws! Tomas and Kimba squeeze under the lower step of a platform for some shade at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Yes, they have trees, a big shelter under the platform and a two-room house, but this is where they chose to snuggle up together. The reunion in Africa of the two brothers, that had been separated in a Guatemala circus as cubs, has been a huge success.