Friday was an intense day with Dr Peter Caldwell and Professor Gerhard Steenkamp doing health and dental check-ups on seven lions: Rey Cusco, David, Tarzan, Tanya, Sasha Lioness, Kimba and Tomas. Rey Cusco and David had dental surgery. Tarzan, Tanya, Sasha Lioness, Kimba and Tomas all moved to new larger habitats. Everyone had recovered from sedation on Saturday and are eating again. If you missed them, you can check out the recordings of the live reports on our Facebook page.
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Smith getting better
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.
Continue readingTomas and Kimba snuggle up
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.
They need their own kind
As Valentine’s week comes to an end, it seems appropriate to celebrate the incredible loyalty and love lions shows for each other. Our hearts broke last week when dear Iron passed away, the comfort for many being he was once again with his beloved OJ (Ojiclaro) again. The pair had been through hell together in a Colombia circus. Their battered faces looked close to defeat in their cramped circus cage the day ADI rescued them. But their spirit was not broken and were soon looking regal again in the basic, temporary rescue unit we had in Bucaramanga.
Continue readingLoving lions on Valentine’s Day
A very happy Valentine’s day from everyone at ADI and the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.
Enjoy Tarzan and Tanya showing the incredible love and loyalty these animals have for each other. They went through hell in a Guatemalan circus but they got their happy ending at ADIWS.
Thank you to all the ADI supporters who made it possible through donations and adoptions.
Lion lovebirds
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, settle in and watch one of the greatest love stories of all time, that of lions Tanya and Tarzan. They endured hell together, in a circus in Guatemala, but their love never waivered. She defended him when he was attacked, he calmed her when she was scared and today they remain inseparable in the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa.
Will you open your hearts to them and adopt them for Valentine’s Day to help give them the care they deserve? It also makes a great gift for your loved one.
A Valentine’s Day Gift Adoption includes a personalized certificate, Valentine’s card, ADI Rescuer newsletter, rescue updates and a beautiful photograph of Tarzan and Tanya perfect for framing.
David and Easy’s first Valentine’s Day
She was rescued from a circus in Colombia and he from a circus in Peru. Who would’ve thought they would roam their own piece of Africa together, but that is just what they do everyday at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Lions are social animals, and companionship of their own kind is probably the greatest gift we can give them. As we approach Valentine’s Day we will be celebrating the incredible and moving relationships of the animals rescued by ADI. You can help support this through our adoption program. How about giving the loved one in your life a VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT ADOPTION OF OUR LOVING COUPLE DAVID AND EASY?
Adopt David and Easy here:
A Valentine’s Day Gift Adoption includes a personalized certificate, Valentine’s card, ADI Rescuer newsletter, rescue updates and a beautiful photograph of David and Easy perfect for framing.
Somewhere over the rainbow
A double rainbow this week over Kornberg Habitat home to Chino and Coco, Joan & Geoff Phillips Habitat home to Kesari, and Guibord-Sprague Habitat home to Simba and Rey. Kesari, who came to us from Pretoria Zoo, is the biggest lion at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and has struck up friendships with his neighbours who were rescued from circuses in Peru. He tends to move across the 2.5 acre habitat to spend time lying alongside each pair of neighbours. These are views from Chris Lee Lodge which this year will become our volunteer and visitor accommodation. Kesari also has the loudest roar and regularly gets Simba, Rey, Chino and Coco going with choruses – the roaring can be pretty loud in Chris Lee Lodge! Please drop us a line if you would like to be kept informed of opportunities to visit or volunteer at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.
PS: Smith and Rey Cusco have been successfully reunited after Smith’s hospital visit and we will post pics soon.
Great news: Smith is home and Rey greets him
Smith has arrived back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after a stay in the Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital where Dr Caldwell treated him for an intestinal inflammation. Watch how his brother Rey (rescued from the same circus in Peru) comes to greet him and waits by the fence. The boys (Smith is a castrated male) will be back together tomorrow. We give them a little time where they can see each other and let the smells of the hospital wear off before we put them together again.
Tomas: From Guatemala to Africa
Tomas was loaded into a travel crate in Guatemala and stepped out of it in Africa. Here’s what happened next. He must have been a bit disorientated following the long journey and we wonder what he thought as heard the sounds, smelt and saw the land of his ancestors? His life was about to transform.
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