Leo at 21 years old, although you wouldn’t think it from this angle, looks strong and mighty as he looks out over Abbey Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Our most senior lion, rescued from a circus in Peru a decade ago, still has a zest for life, relishing every moment of his golden years.
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Tarzan settles under the trees in Augie Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. It’s four years since he arrived with Tanya from Guatemala on the Operation Liberty Airlift of 17 tigers and lions. Many will remember how Tarzan looked when we rescued him. A tiger had attacked him in the circus and torn his lip from his face and it healed hanging from his chin. Although no longer causing pain it must have been uncomfortable making his mouth dry and collecting bits of dirt and grass. He had a partial lip lift at ADIWS to repair the damage and you can see the difference that made in this picture.
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MORNING ALL! Leo, father of the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary pride, is up and about early in the morning sunshine. On these South African summer days the lions and tigers at ADIWS are up and about early, usually starting the roaring chorus at 5am and getting active before sheltering for the hottest part of the day then getting active again in the afternoon and evening. Despite his senior years, the old lion rescued from a circus in Peru a decade ago and now 21 years old, follows a similar ritual, pottering about in the cool morning before settling under one of the trees in Abbey Habitat to sleep – often very heavily to the occasional consternation of the ADIWS Resident Care Team trying to call him for dinner!
Have a great week.
In August, before we loaded lonely lion Ruben into his travel crate in Armenia, he was barely able to walk a few paces without stumbling and falling. Since arriving at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, his resilience and determination to walk has inspired us all. On Tuesday, many of you watched us live as Dr Peter Caldwell examined Ruben and evaluated his progress.
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Here is Leo, our oldest ADIWS resident, enjoying sitting in the shade among the summer flowers yesterday. Leo was rescued during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom which emptied Peru’s circuses, and we know is, at least, 21 years old. We rescued him ten years ago this year, and at that time, we believe Leo could have been 13 or 14 years old. Leo is father of many of the Peru ex-circus lions – certainly Kiara, Africa, Rolex, Chino and Coco, and possibly Rey and Kiara2 as well!
Sitting in the morning African sunshine, Rolex lets out a nice big yawn. The weekend is almost here for all of us, although every day is a lazy day for Rolex at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa!
Rolex was rescued from a circus in Peru during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom enforcing the country’s ban on wild animals in circuses ten years ago this year! ADI emptied every cage in a rescue mission lasting almost two years and saving over 100 animals including 33 lions!
King Kesari surveys his land at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Born in South Africa, he avoided being put up for auction, where this magnificent lion most certainly would have been a target for a trophy hunter, instead he came to ADIWS. Since his arrival four years ago, Kesari has become a huge, playful presence with a mighty roar – Ruben is roaring back now. Living in Joan & Geoff Phillips Habitat he has become friends with his neighbors Chino and Coco on one side and Simba and Rey A on the other. If you come to volunteer at ADIWS, when you open your room’s curtains in the morning you will likely see Kesari, Chino and Coco.
Help care for the lions. Donate here.
Tiny but fierce Tanya investigates her new catnip bag. Thanks to the empty coffee bags donated by Highland Coffee Roastery, the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team are making up lots of treats for the lions and tigers. To help bring extra joy in the New Year for the big cats, you can still donate pumpkin treats and part of it will also go towards a day’s care for a lion or tiger. Donate here
Continue readingThe world’s loneliest lion had been left behind in a zoo that closed in Armenia. All alone, he had lost his roar and confinement and malnutrition left him with difficulty walking. His progress since stepping out at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in August has been beyond our dreams. His movement has improved; he has relaxed; he played with his first toy and keeps on playing; he saw and heard other lions after six lonely years; and he is roaring with other lions again. 2023 was Ruben’s year, but we hope for even more in 2024 including a bigger habitat.
From his epic journey with ADI’s Jan and Tim from Armenia to Africa to roaring with other lions again, check out these images of Ruben’s incredible 2023!
What a year Ruben! It seems so long ago that he walked shakily from his travel crate after arriving at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa from Armenia. Here he is enjoying his Christmas present hand made by the ADIWS team from recycled coffee sacks and filled with catnip and hay. Thank you to everyone who helped make his dreams come true.
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