It’s all fun and games for the bold and playful young lioness at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. She seems proud of herself for having demolished her catnip sack. Dhubiya has an incredible spirit despite her harrowing past. A victim of the illegal lion pet trade, she was left to die in the desert outside Kuwait City – either dumped by a trafficker or an owner no longer wanting a lion as a status symbol ‘pet’.
Continue readingOn this Independence Day in the US, we celebrate with a look back at the Kuwait 6 lions’ journey to a new life in Africa. Less than two months ago, the young lions rescued from the illegal wildlife trade made the unforgettable journey from Kuwait to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.
Dumped in the desert or streets of Kuwait City they were cared for at the Kuwait zoo until we were able to relocate them. Our thanks again to the staff and volunteers at the Kuwait zoo, Qatar Airways Cargo and their WeQare program for donating the flight, Dr Peter Caldwell, and everyone who came together to help give the lions a second chance at life they never knew existed.
Enjoy this photo gallery showing just how far Saif, Dhubiya, Muheeb, Aziza, Shujaa and Saham have come.
Celebrate their freedom by donating towards their care: Donate US$ / CA$ | Donate £ / Euros / Rand
Muheeb, Dhubiya and Saif have been loving playing with their giant balls at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Their ball skills even made it into the news this weekend as part of the coverage of the UEFA European Football Championships! The trio and three other lions were once trophy pets in Kuwait but were dumped by their owners when they were no longer wanted. Known as the Kuwait 6 they were recaptured in the streets of Kuwait City or the desert that surrounds it and looked after at the closed Kuwait Zoo until ADI stepped in to bring them to our 455 acre sanctuary in South Africa. With the Copa América also underway, if there are any teams looking for little more bite in attack or defence, then perhaps Muheeb, Dhubiya, and Saif could teach them a thing or two.
Continue reading
Shujaa looks right at home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa and that’s not surprising since he’s back where nature intended! One of the Kuwait 6 lions rescued from the illegal wildlife pet trade, having been dumped in the streets of Kuwait City, he now shares the 4-acre Abbey Habitat with his brother Saham. The boys have trees to lounge under and tall grass to stalk through. The choice is theirs. Please keep sharing their story and help support their care in their new life.
To adopt Shujaa or the two brothers as a pair: UK store | US store
The youngest of the #Kuwait6 lions can’t get enough of the catnip sacks. It’s just one of the many enrichments he and his partner-in-crime Dhubiya enjoy at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.
The two are very curious, playful, love to tear into catnip sacks, take down the teff hay insulation bales, and get into everything.
Continue reading
After two weeks in quarantine, the Kuwait 6 – young brothers Shujaa and Saham, mature and sensible Muheeb, dainty young Aziza, young partners-in-crime Saif and Dhubiya – have all been released into their main habitats at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. More space, more enrichment, grass, trees, birds, rabbits, hares, mongooses, ground squirrels – more life than they have ever known! Their faces have been full of wonder and excitement. Now they can run, play, tumble, stalk and snooze in the sun.
Continue reading
Shujaa is the first of the Kuwait 6 lions to head out into their main habitats at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary following a period of quarantine and observation. Doesn’t he look right at home? A lion where he should be, home in Africa. Once he was dumped, an unwanted status symbol pet, on the streets of Kuwait City, now he has his own 4 acres of natural African habitat to share with brother Saham. Cautious Saham has not ventured out yet, but Shujaa was quick to explore, smell the trees and scent mark.
Please consider adopting Shujaa and/or any of the other Kuwait 6 lions to help support their ongoing care. UK store | US store
This week, the six lions that were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Kuwait, Shujaa, Saham, Dhubiya, Saif, Aziza and Muheeb, will complete their quarantine period at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Following a veterinary assessment, they will be released into their larger habitats.
Continue reading
When ADI visited Kuwait Zoo to meet the lions rescued from the pet trade and needing homes, friendly Saif just wanted to be loved. He had a zest and hope for life in his eyes, excited about everything. Now, he has his whole life ahead of him in our place of loving kindness where he can play with his catnip sack until it is destroyed, move onto the teff hay insulation bales, and take them apart, too. He can do no wrong. We are looking forward to the day he gives voice when the sanctuary residents sing their morning and evening songs. Thank you for supporting dear Saif!
Continue reading
One of the most moving things when we first rescue any animals who have suffered at the hands of humans, is how they respond to having their own houses and spaces, even toys. It is heartbreaking to see how much it means to them to have something of their own, moving things around their habitats as they please, nobody telling them what to do. We will never forget how we saw Ruben gather all his enrichment together, carrying them into his A-Frame sun shelter. It reminds us of how absolutely everything that gives joy and makes life worthwhile, is taken from these animals. Our job is to give back that sense of self-determination, freedom, and joy for life among their own kind.
Shujaa is now halfway through his quarantine period, since arriving last week from Kuwait where he was rescued with brother Saham from the illegal wildlife trade. Soon he will have access to a 4 acre natural habitat, three platform dens similar to this plus his brick built house.
To adopt Shujaa and help provide his ongoing care: UK store | US store
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 