lion

Sasha having a spooktacular time

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It’s not just fun, it’s physiotherapy for lioness with titanium replacing part of her leg bone.

Now at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, Sasha was in severe pain when she was rescued by ADI from a Guatemalan circus. The circus had cut off her toes in a brutal declawing operation, crushing a toe in the process, which became infected and developed cancer. Dr. Peter Caldwell performed ground-breaking surgery in South Africa replacing diseased bone with a titanium implant. Since then she has been pain-free, and plays vigorously, but continues to limp because after years of doing so the tendons had shortened. So play like this is great fun and important physiotherapy as Sasha grapples with her swing with both front paws.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to send more pumpkins to the lions and tigers.

Just a small amount – for example the cost of a cup of coffee – helps provide treats and fun for the lions and tigers at ADIWS.

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Lazy Sunday afternoon with Kimba

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Rescued from a circus in Guatemala, Kimba could not look more relaxed, home in Africa at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. We are currently in the process of uniting Kimba with Tomas who was rescued from the same circus in Guatemala. The boys rotate in different sections of Augie Habitat, and are fed separately, but alongside each other in the lion house. Lions are very sociable and so far it is looking very promising. However, as tranquil as Kimba looks here, lions are powerful animals and so introductions are slow and cautious!

COULD THESE TWO LIONS BE ANY CLOSER?

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At a glance you just see male lion Tarzan, but look closer and there’s Tanya snuggled at his side.  The lions saw each other through thick and thin in a circus in Guatemala – tiny Tanya even fought to defend her beloved Tarzan when he was attacked by a tiger – now they are always at each other’s side in the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa.

Earlier this year, Dr Peter Caldwell was able to give Tarzan a partial lip lift to repair the horrific damage after a tiger tore apart the lion’s face in the circus. It was not possible to fully repair the damage, but, as can be seen in this picture, the surgery made a huge difference for Tarzan.

An update on Leo

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It’s been just over a month since we said goodbye to Leo’s lifelong companion Muñeca, and we know many of you might be wondering how this gentle giant is coping without her.
 
The incredible ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team has been keeping a close eye on Leo to monitor his movements, providing extra attention, enrichment, and treats. By giving him smaller, more regular meals, the team is spending extra time interacting with him.

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Tomas: Home to Africa after detour

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When Guatemala banned animals in circuses, Tomas was the first animal to be surrendered. But not to ADI, instead he went to a local zoo. Several months later when ADI began removing lions and tigers from circuses as part of the circus ban enforcement operation, the zoo decided it did not have the space for Tomas. Little did he know it, but as Tomas was moved on again, this time he had really caught a lucky break that would take him all the way home to Africa. The ADI Temporary Rescue Unit in Guatemala were only given 20 minutes notice that a lion was already on his way! We frantically moved ‘freedom’ cages around and prepared a space for Tomas. 14 months later, Tomas was on a flight with 12 tigers and 4 other lions home to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.

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Kesari’s tire swing

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Kesari enjoys hanging tire enrichment, which we’ve loaded with the irresistible scent of catnip (kindly donated by Kunduchi Pet Products) and other essential oils. This impressive boy has the run of the Phillips Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary where we happily cater to his needs. ADI offered him a home after hearing that he was driven from his pride at Pretoria Zoo and for two years, spent most of his time in a night house due to lack of space. Thankfully the zoo waited for a safe home for him – had he been put up for auction, he could have ended up in the sights of a trophy hunter!

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Iron at sunset

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As the sun sets over the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, Iron is on top of his platform and ready to roar out the day with the other lions. Iron is at least 16 years old and was rescued from a circus cage in Colombia eight years ago. For almost his entire life Iron was inseparable from his friend Ojiclaro who sadly passed away due to cancer. Now Iron is part of a programme to slowly introduce him to Bumba who was rescued from the same circus in Colombia. It’s a very gradual process because these are senior male lions, both also recently needed surgery which slowed this process. However, they are eating next to each other, in separate rooms, in their house and rotate in different parts of the habitat. Time will tell if they become close companions or just neighbors.

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Spring is in the air

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Kimba wakes up at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, sniffs the air and we are sure he can tell Spring is here. Being in South Africa, in the southern hemisphere, Spring and winter are at the opposite time of year to where many ADI supporters live. In the coming weeks as the days get hotter, the winter insulation of heavy rubber and hay bales that we put on the dens will be coming down. Thank you to everyone who sponsored hay bales and kept our lions and tigers snug this winter.

Kimba was rescued from a circus in Guatemala.

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