Thousands of you tuned in to watch Leo and Muñeca’s story on social media over the weekend. Torn apart by the circus and then reunited by ADI in two dramatic raids, hundreds of miles apart in Peru, our two senior lions (19 years old) enjoyed another Valentine’s Day at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa today. Sitting in the shade of a tree, as always together, it is hard to believe they weren’t always in Africa. Those years of abuse, bare cages, being forced apart, the days when Leo looked broken – alone and separated from his Muñeca – are long behind them. Instead, they can inspire us with their bravery, will to survive and, above all else, loyalty and devotion. Happy Valentine’s Day Leo and Muñeca.

Of course, Tanya and Tarzan had a nice lie in! The loving lions, rescued from a circus in Guatemala, were dozing, hugging each other, in their house at sunrise, before wandering out to their main habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa.

The lion-hearted sweethearts comforted and protected each other through seven hellish years in a circus cage. Tarzan’s lip was torn from his face after a fight with a tiger in the circus and Tanya bears the scars of defending him. Safe at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, they still sleep cuddled up together, live at their own very gentle pace, and Tarzan still kisses Tanya goodnight.

No one can forget the sight of Sasha in her bare circus cage in Guatemala, her foot held up in pain. A toe had been crushed in a brutal ‘declawing’ operation and cancer spread up her leg. After her rescue, at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, she underwent groundbreaking surgery removing diseased bone and replacing it with a titanium implant. She is no longer in pain but after almost a decade of pain, in the circus, the tendons in her leg had shortened and she still holds the leg aloft. So we need to give her physiotherapy, exercising, stretching and using her leg by playing with balls, catnip boxes, melons, and logs. The indomitable Sasha is a testament to what is possible with your support.

You can keep Sasha and our other rescued animals playing with Oba, the limited-edition lion toy. Our friends at The Elephant Project, have created a limited-edition stuffed lion named Oba (meaning ‘king ruler’ in West Africa) with 100% of net proceeds from sales going to ADI and other organizations.