David, rescued from a circus in Peru and recently united with rescued lioness Easy, greets Monday with a great big yawn at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. He has a pretty lazy day ahead, basking in the African sunshine and lazing in Camo Habitat, we hope yours is as relaxing.
Simba basks in the sunshine at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Simba is only 14 years old, but his bandy, hind legs which are distorted with arthritis make him look older – it’s a common ailment amongst rescued circus lions due to severe confinement and lack of exercise and living on urine soaked boards for years. Supporters will recall that in January he had a full check up at the sanctuary by Dr Caldwell who undertook one of his regular reviews of Simba’s medication to keep him comfortable. It’s now autumn/fall in South Africa with winter a couple of months away, during which Simba will appreciate the solar powered heated floor in his house in Guibord-Sprague Habitat (we are also adding a heat-lamp for extra warmth this year). Simba is also able to snuggle up with his brother Rey who was rescued from the same circus in Ayacucho in the Andes mountains in Peru. Thankfully Rey A does not have such bad arthritis.
Thanks to everyone who was rooting for this lioness from a circus in Colombia and lion from a circus in Peru to find companionship together at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. We think you will agree that this is the very definition of a very handsome couple!
Watch the moment when we really knew that David and Easy would make it as companions at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s not very good phone footage but captures a key interaction after we had united them. After being brought together we had then released them into the main, almost 4-acre, Camo Habitat. They had been exploring together and we found them in the long grass at the very far end of the habitat in the morning. We wondered if they would stick together or drift apart, seeking each other out occasionally?
As the sun set we saw David heading back from the habitat. At first, we thought he was alone, then we saw Easy following. He trotted up onto the platform we made from an old water reservoir. We were so familiar with the silhouettes of Easy and sister Shakira (who passed away from cancer last year) up there but had not seen David and Easy up there together. Easy paused and then followed him.
After sitting in the fading rays of the sun for a while David decided it was time for bed. He tried to get Easy up but she ignored him and he headed off. As soon as he was gone Easy stood up, looked for him, and then jumped down after him, quickening her pace. You can also see that David turns around and comes back, as if to say “please come too!” They headed into the house for the night and slept in the same room together, and that’s where we found them in the morning at sunrise. We haven’t seen them snuggled up together, but they are always close to each other, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship and companionship for two of our lonely hearts lions.
Two of the mightiest lions at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary bask in the light of another sunset in South Africa in their 6+ acre habitat. Smith is a huge, castrated male it’s a close call as to who is the biggest lion at the sanctuary between him and Kesari. It was campaigners with hidden cameras, leaflets and placards that transformed their lives.
Continue readingDoting lions Tarzan and Tanya at home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary this morning, showing one of their displays of affection which have melted hearts around the world. They returned to the sanctuary yesterday after dental surgery and a partial lip lift for Tarzan, to repair damage from before they were rescued from a circus in Guatemala. Tarzan was attacked in the circus by a tiger, which tore his lip from his face – it healed hanging from his chin. Tanya fought to defend her Tarzan and has torn ears and is covered with scars. Another amazing thing about this incredibly close relationship is that Tarzan is huge (the vet weighed him at 189.8kg/418lbs) whereas Tanya is tiny (98.4kg/217lbs). She is almost half his size!
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary sweethearts Tarzan and Tanya are home, after a stay at the Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic for dental surgery and a partial lip lift for Tarzan. They arrived home just before sunset. Tanya headed out into the habitat while Tarzan settled down in his crate and watched the world go by as it grew dark! That’s ok, he could see Tanya and we are used to Tarzan’s very gentle pace. Tomorrow morning, they can get back to their normal routine.
Continue readingMany will remember the story of Tanya and Tarzan’s life of confinement and deprivation in a circus in Guatemala, where Tarzan was attacked by a tiger and his lower lip almost torn off – his dear Tanya still carries the scars where she defended him during the fight. Tarzan’s lip healed hanging from his chin after the horrific incident. A week ago, both Tarzan and Tanya had dental work from Dr Gerhard Steenkamp at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic, and when Tarzan needed a second round of dental work this week, our veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell took the opportunity to mend Tarzan’s lower lip. Handsome Tarzan has now had what we are describing as a lip lift! Dr Caldwell’s options were limited due to the lack of structure left, so Tarzan still looks his distinctive self, but with less of his lip now hanging down, which should be more comfortable. He is doing well, and the inseparable pair have remained close by each other throughout.
Continue readingRecently united, sharing the same space, David and Easy have been enjoying their 4-acre Camo Habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. They stay closely together as they patrol the habitat; usually with David leading and regularly stopping to check if Easy is close by. It has been very moving to see them sitting together on top of the water tank we converted into a den, because it was such a familiar sight when we used to see Easy and sister Shakira (who passed away with cancer) in the same spot. Easy and David now follow each other into their house to sleep together. Lions are social animals and this is not about romance, but companionship – and of course the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary does not allow breeding – we are all so delighted that these two lions (rescued from different circuses in Peru and Colombia) are no longer alone.
Get well soon Tarzan and Tanya. ADI Wildlife Sanctuary sweethearts are recovering at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic under the watchful eye of Dr Peter Caldwell following dental surgery performed by Dr Gerhard Steenkamp. Circus lions and tigers often have teeth broken when they are hit in the face and it can lead to a lifetime of silent suffering. Many will remember how subdued Tarzan was when we rescued him from a circus in Guatemala – he tucked himself in a corner while Tanya stood guard. After emergency dental work to relieve his pain in our Guatemala field hospital he bounced back and was playing with toys. That was almost four years ago and Tarzan and Tanya were both in need of more treatment. Tarzan will in fact have additional dental work later this week and Tanya will remain in hospital with him until they can return to the sanctuary together.
Yes, David and Easy, the first of our Lonely Hearts Lions, are together. The door between their rooms in their house at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa was slowly opened and the two lions rubbed heads and then walked out to their feeding camp. It has been a slow and careful process, where David, rescued from a circus in Peru, and Easy, rescued from a circus in Colombia, have been brought close to each other and received a spray of the hormone to encourage feelings of friendship towards each other. Both were very gentle and respectful of each other, with David edging closer and closer to Easy. For a day, Easy seemed to feign disinterest in David – she didn’t seem too impressed when he started to show off, even seeming to do pull-ups! But if he walked away, she would immediately go to find him. We have been monitoring them around the clock and they have been sleeping in the same night room. Today, it is clear they have bonded as friends. They are no longer alone.
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ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 