lions

Picture perfect Kesari

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Whose heart doesn’t melt when they look into Kesari’s handsome face with such distinctive eyes? Yet there are people who only see a trinket to hang on their wall – that could have been his fate. He fits their criteria: Big mane, beautiful face, huge lion.

When there was no room for Kesari at Pretoria Zoo, thankfully they did not put him up for sale but waited for a safe home, and when Captured In Africa Foundation contacted the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, how could we say “no” to that face!

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New look for rescued lion

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Tarzan is enjoying life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, with his beloved protector Tanya after surgery, and his lip is healing well following his partial lip-lift by Dr Peter Caldwell and Professor Gerhard Steenkamp. The lion’s face had been torn apart by a tiger in a circus in Guatemala and the circus left it to heal hanging from his chin. After ADI rescued him, we pledged to see what could be done to help him. The surgeons were only able to do a partial lip lift because of the lack of tissue but, as those who knew him before will see, it has made a significant difference and we are sure he is more comfortable now. Tanya adores him just as much as ever.

To adopt Tarzan & Tanya

We are rooting for Rey

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(Pictured at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary a few weeks ago).

Rey Ayacucho (or Rey A) will be staying at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic under the supervision of Dr Peter Caldwell for a while. His condition is potentially serious with a large mass in his chest that is pressing on his lungs. Dr Caldwell has stabilised him and is evaluating different treatments. Rey is comfortable right now, and has a good appetite but can only eat small portions. Much Love to Rey and wishing for him to come home again to be with brother Simba at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.

Rey hospital update

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Thank you to everyone who has been sending “Get Well” wishes to Rey Ayacucho, who is currently in hospital at the Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic. You will be pleased to know that Rey is looking much brighter and has regained some of his appetite. Lions are so stoic, as in the wild it is not safe to show any weakness, which is a big concern when one of our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary circus survivors starts looking unwell. Rey is under the watchful eye of Dr Peter Caldwell and will be having some tests, so we are all hoping for the best and seeing him back at the Sanctuary soon with his friend and brother Simba.

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Simba watches over ReyA

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We understand the importance of social relationships for lions, so it was no surprise to see Simba watch over his brother ReyA as he recovered from sedation. Rey was examined by Dr Peter Caldwell after he developed a limp and was off his food. Simba sat at the door of their house until his brother was fully conscious. Rey is limping less now and has eaten a little more this week but remains subdued and we are all concerned. He is being closely monitored and Dr Caldwell is adapting his medication. WE ARE ALL HOPING REY WILL GET WELL SOON.

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Lions get a veterinary checkup

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Dr Peter Caldwell has had a busy day at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary checking our residents. Five lions were sedated for examination and blood/urine samples for testing: ReyA, Leo, Muñeca, Kiara2 and Africa. The most common health issues that our rescued lions face are related to the abuse and deprivation suffered in their former circus life, including: dental problems due to teeth being smashed and left to get infected, eye problems from malnutrition or brain damage from blows to the head and arthritis due to lack of exercise and living on hard, urine-soaked boards. We will often see a significant improvement in cataracts when the lions are put on a healthy diet and the problems can be held at bay for several years, but it does tend to return. ADI rescued all of these lions from circuses in Peru 8 years ago.

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Girls just want to have fun

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Look carefully and you can see Africa in the long grass on the right, she pounces on Kiara and then they hurtle off into their enclosure at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. It’s a simple scene that in an instant tells you what’s wrong with circuses and much of the way these animals are forced to live in captivity. These animals need space and an environment in which they can run and express themselves. Africa and Kiara were rescued from a circus in Peru where they lived for years in a cage the size of a queen size bed. Don’t believe the nonsense that circus owners spout that these are sedentary animals that just laze around. These are powerful athletes that want, indeed need, to run and play – they need the space to run and get up to full speed.

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Tarzan looking good after surgery

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The ‘partial-lip-lift’ performed by veterinary surgeons Dr Peter Caldwell and Prof Gerhard Steenkamp, four weeks ago, has healed. Tarzan was attacked by a tiger in a circus in Guatemala and his lower lip was torn from his face and left dangling from his chin. It healed there. When Guatemala banned animals in circuses, ADI rescued the animals, including Tarzan, and brought him to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Although no longer causing him pain, Tarzan’s lip would drag and catch dirt and food. The surgeons did not have enough tissue to work with so could only partially bring the lip back to its correct position, but when you see the last picture of Tarzan, when ADI first rescued him, you can see what a significant difference it has made. We believe that Tarzan is more comfortable and his beloved Tanya thinks he’s just as gorgeous as ever.

Cuddle up with an Easter Leo

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Easter symbolizes hope and new life, and that is very much the story of our rescued lions and tigers at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Leo is the Sanctuary father figure and the most senior lion, at 19 years old. Leo was rescued and came to the ADIWS with mate Muñeca and their children Africa, Kiara, Rolex, Chino and Coco – we were told he was daddy to many of the lions in Peru’s circuses. As befits our most senior resident, we act quickly if King Leo has a potential health issue. Most recently, he seemed to be not liking his food and losing a little weight, so we scheduled a dental check for both Leo and Muñeca. In the meantime, we tried hand-feeding with tongs with a variety of foods, cut into small pieces – and feeding him twice a day. Leo picked up straight away, and it seems he likes to be hand fed. Understanding his message, we have adjusted our level of service to boutique hotel style with gold service for seniors!

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