lions

Lonely Hearts: Rolex, Africa and Kiara

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Sometimes you want your own space! ROLEX (10 years) and sisters AFRICA (10) and KIARA (15), rescued from a circus in Peru, have made it clear they like things as they are! In their shared home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, they enjoy sitting and even sleeping close to each other on opposite sides of the fence, but don’t want to live in the same space. Although we were able to get the lions together a few times, it was clear that Africa and Kiara are just too close for another to join their group. We are pleased we explored this for several weeks and now understand the relationship the lions like. So, we will split the habitat into two; they can all enjoy a main habitat, platforms, dens, a feeding camp, and night house. They will be right next to each other and can communicate, maybe rub through the fence if they want, but in their own space.

SPECIAL APPEAL – can you donate to give Rolex his own pad, next to his sisters?

Donate to help Rolex

Lonely Hearts Update: Iron and Bumba

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The process of bringing IRON and BUMBA who were rescued from the same circus in Colombia is underway – previously they were each living at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary with other lions from that circus who have passed away. Initially, The process has been paused this week with Bumba taken into hospital where he has had a small tumour on his lip removed successfully.

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Indomitable Sasha

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When Sasha was a tiny cub, the Guatemala circus owner decided to cut off her front toes, to prevent her claws growing. She would not be able to defend herself. The circuses don’t pay for veterinarians. She will have been torn, screaming, from her mother, her legs held tight, as her toes were cut off. Instead of cleanly cutting all the toes off, one toe was crushed. The injury was just left, and so baby Sasha developed a limp, her toe infected and painful. Six long years of pain later, the infection turned into cancer.

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Amazonas eye surgery

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We reported earlier that Dr Caldwell had identified a serious eye problem for lioness Amazonas – a cataract combined with a collapse of the back of the eye, and she was taken into hospital. The ophthalmologist confirmed Dr Caldwell’s diagnosis and that the eye should be removed. We are all relieved and delighted that the surgery has been a success, our strong lady of the Amazon is recovering well and will be home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary soon.

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Senior citizens watching the world go by

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It’s National Senior Health & Fitness Day, and that is very much the theme of daily life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Our oldest residents are Leo and Muñeca, now 19 years old, who endured their first 11 years in small cages in a circus in Peru. Circus life is tough; bare, hard floors, bars, tiny spaces, no room to run, poor nutrition – it takes its toll on their bodies. All our residents receive special health supplements, and Leo’s eye was removed due to problems related to his circus life. Leo also has two meals on feeding days to keep his weight up – whereas other residents have one. He’s hand fed (with tongs), which he seems to enjoy. This ensures he eats all of his food, joint supplements and medication to prevent degeneration of his nervous system. This detailed, boutique-style care ensures these two seniors continue to enjoy their retirement, roaming the 4+ acre Abbey Habitat, back in the land of their forefathers.

Family life

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Rescued by ADI from a circus in Peru, Scarc, mother Kiara1, and aunt Amazonas relax together in the 6-acre Tohir Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Mahla, Scarc’s sister, is not far away. Lions are the most social of all the cats and prides like this spend hours interacting and in each other’s company every day.

THE FAMILY WILL BE MISSING AMAZONAS, who was taken into hospital for eye surgery.

Amazonas on her way to hospital

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Amazonas, beloved aunt of the Cusco pride, is on her way to hospital. There was no need for sedation and she calmly walked into her travel crate. For some time, veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell has been monitoring her right eye, which has a cataract and the lens has prolapsed to the anterior chamber. For much of the time, the eye has looked normal with occasional flare-ups. It is highly likely the eye will need to be removed. Eye problems begin in the rescued lions as a result of years of malnutrition in the circus. There may also be a genetic component, as the lions with the worst eye problems are likely related. Amazonas’s sister Kiara of Cusco had an eye removed five years ago and Leo had his eye removed last year. Although they are in two separate family groups, the circus owners bred and sold cubs to others and asserted that Leo was father to most of Peru’s circus lions. Kiara of Huarral is definitely Leo’s daughter (as is Africa), and now has a serious cataract in one eye.

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