We cannot express how excited we were to receive Ruben’s import permit.
It may be an innocuous looking piece of paper, but it means the world to Ruben. We’re currently arranging his flight, and there are still a good few i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed, but the last legal obstacle is cleared.
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Leo on a crisp winter’s morning at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. After one of the coldest nights of the year – Johannesburg has snow for the first time in a decade – Leo seemed none the worse for wear as he strolled out into Abbey Habitat. The 20-year old lion was rescued by ADI from a circus in Peru in 2014.
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Mighty Rey licking his lips! He was rescued from a circus in Cusco, Peru, as ADI enforced the country’s ban on wild animals in circuses. He crossed the Andes and then the world to come home to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.
Diana Bell Miller and her Lion Lovers Facebook group committed to saving one of the lions during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom (33 lions were saved), and chose Rey.
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This cardboard giraffe was no match for mighty Kesari, who demolished the enrichment in about one minute, even though he relished every second of it. Thanks to Kunduchi Pet Products for donating catnip which is used on enrichment like this – all vital for keeping our big cats physically and mentally healthy.
To donate toward more enrichment, which Kesari and the others love: Donate UK £ | Donate US $
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Tarzan is rarely seen without his devoted lioness, Tanya, by his side. They were rescued by ADI from a Guatemalan circus, where Tarzan had been attacked by a tiger who almost tore off his lower lip. These days, life is good for this warrior lion who is looking and feeling good too. Last year, our veterinary team gave him a partial lip lift to repair much of the damage.
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It has lifted our spirits to see Smith looking more like his old self – although still showing signs where he was shaved for scans during his prolonged stay in hospital. Smith’s heart condition is serious, and we are in uncharted territory in terms of treatment.
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Rescued from a life of hell in a circus in Ayacucho, Peru, ReyA now enjoys a peaceful existence at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary with his best friend and brother, Simba. For the first seven years of their lives, the pair were crammed into a tiny, bare cage. Now, they roam an extensive grassland enclosure in their homeland, Africa.
Gentle giant Kesari fills this little house!! We added A frames to the habitats at ADIWS as extra enrichment and shelter in addition to our big cats’ various platforms, houses and trees. Something new always attracts interest and you can see just how big Kesari is compared to the other lions as he fills the space.
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Lioness Sasha makes the most of her new A frame at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. She has been spending most of her time relaxing and napping inside, as it provides just the right amount of shade while allowing her to see through.
It’s wonderful to see her comfortable and at peace – such a difference from her life in a Guatemalan circus, before ADI rescued her. A brutal declawing operation in the circus led to an infection that turned into cancer and spread to her leg. Thanks to groundbreaking surgery by Dr Caldwell, Sasha now has a titanium implant where the diseased bone once was. Nothing can get Sasha down now. She is living her best life.
To donate towards one (or more) A frames for the rest of our residents to enjoy (it costs UK £53 / US $66 / R1,200 each): Donate UK £ | Donate US $
After a long hospital stay to identify Smith’s gastric issues, vet Dr Peter Caldwell found it was being caused by a permanent heart condition, meaning lifetime medication. Smith has restrictive cardiomyopathy which has caused scarring and damage to the heart. So far, he has responded well to medication and all of the fluid is now out of his abdomen.
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ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 