lions

Remembering their journey to freedom

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On this Independence Day in the US, we celebrate with a look back at the Kuwait 6 lions’ journey to a new life in Africa. Less than two months ago, the young lions rescued from the illegal wildlife trade made the unforgettable journey from Kuwait to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.

Dumped in the desert or streets of Kuwait City they were cared for at the Kuwait zoo until we were able to relocate them. Our thanks again to the staff and volunteers at the Kuwait zoo, Qatar Airways Cargo and their WeQare program for donating the flight, Dr Peter Caldwell, and everyone who came together to help give the lions a second chance at life they never knew existed.

Enjoy this photo gallery showing just how far Saif, Dhubiya, Muheeb, Aziza, Shujaa and Saham have come.

Celebrate their freedom by donating towards their care: Donate US$ / CA$ | Donate £ / Euros / Rand

Bond of brothers

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As they play and cuddle in the long grass at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s hard to believe that Tomas and Kimba were ever separated. In fact as cubs they were torn apart as by a circus in Guatemala, and Tomas was sent to a zoo. ADI rescued Kimba from the circus when Guatemala banned animal circuses and then a few months later the zoo decided Tomas was no longer wanted. Our temporary rescue unit got just 25 minutes notice that Tomas would be dropped off. We finally reunited the boys at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. These days they are rarely apart. Rescued lions from circuses cannot be returned to the wild, so at ADIWS we give them the closest we can to a natural life. Huge natural habitats in the land of their forefathers and contact with their own kind. In the wild, the groups of male lions, usually relatives, are known as coalitions. We think Kimba and Tomas make a pretty formidable coalition.

Click here to help care for these brothers so they can continue to thrive together.

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Tarzan kisses Tanya better

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GREAT NEWS: The lab results for the lump which was recently removed from Tanya’s back by Dr. Peter Caldwell show it was benign. Tarzan was extra protective of his beloved Tanya when she returned from the operation and sat in front of her for a while, as she recovered, tucked inside the den. Over the coming days, Tarzan was licking Tanya and smothering her so much with kisses, that he actually removed one of her stitches! The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team sent a picture to Peter to check whether this would be a problem, and he said it would be fine. The pair, who were rescued from a circus in Guatemala, are very much back to their old selves, with Tanya as feisty as ever!

To adopt this sweet couple and help support their ongoing care: UK store | US store

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Free lions on the ball

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Muheeb, Dhubiya and Saif have been loving playing with their giant balls at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Their ball skills even made it into the news this weekend as part of the coverage of the UEFA European Football Championships! The trio and three other lions were once trophy pets in Kuwait but were dumped by their owners when they were no longer wanted. Known as the Kuwait 6 they were recaptured in the streets of Kuwait City or the desert that surrounds it and looked after at the closed Kuwait Zoo until ADI stepped in to bring them to our 455 acre sanctuary in South Africa. With the Copa América also underway, if there are any teams looking for little more bite in attack or defence, then perhaps Muheeb, Dhubiya, and Saif could teach them a thing or two.

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Kuwait 6 walk to freedom

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After two weeks in quarantine, the Kuwait 6 – young brothers Shujaa and Saham, mature and sensible Muheeb, dainty young Aziza, young partners-in-crime Saif and Dhubiya – have all been released into their main habitats at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. More space, more enrichment, grass, trees, birds, rabbits, hares, mongooses, ground squirrels – more life than they have ever known! Their faces have been full of wonder and excitement. Now they can run, play, tumble, stalk and snooze in the sun.

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Tarzan guards as Tanya recovers from minor surgery

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Tanya is recovering at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after Dr. Peter Caldwell took a biopsy of a small growth spotted between her shoulder blades. Although it is suspected of being a benign papilloma it will be tested just to be sure. Tanya is recovering well today, snuggled in her teff-filled den with Tarzan, who has valiantly placed himself across the front of the den to protect his beloved Tanya.

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‘Pet’ lions who were abandoned to die, start new life in Africa

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You did it! The Kuwait 6 lions are home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.

Eleven days ago, we arrived in Kuwait to oversee the rescue of the Kuwait 6 lions – Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, Saif, Dhubiya, and Aziza. We worked on the final paperwork, assessed the lions, planned the loading, confirmed truck rentals, and oversaw reconstruction of the travel crates we had sent flat-packed from South Africa. Our veterinarian Dr. Peter Caldwell arrived, confirmed the lions were fit to travel, and we were ready to go.

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What a night: The Kuwait 6 Homecoming!

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At 9.07pm last night, our precious cargo of six lions rescued from the illegal wildlife trade rolled through the gates of the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. It wasn’t quite as we planned after a 25 hour delay at the airport, but they were home!!! We quietly and gently unloaded everyone in an operation lasting to midnight. Everyone was exhausted but energised by the arrival, heaved the crates into place, and one by one the young lions were released into their houses. They were tentative and intrigued, checking things out and settling into the soft teff hay bedding. All the lions had travelled alongside their family and friends, but it was still a special moment when Saif’s crate opened and Dhubiya peeked in as if to say, “glad you’re here too.”

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The Kuwait 6 lions have arrived!

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The Kuwait 6 are being unloaded at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and going into their night houses. They will properly experience Africa tomorrow. We won’t be able to go live on Facebook for this quiet and difficult night operation but will keep you updated. Join us tomorrow on Facebook! Saham and Shujaa were unloaded first.

Please keep supporting these young lions as they begin their new lives. Donate here.

To adopt Shujaa, Saham, Muheeb, Aziza, Saif, and/or Dhubiya to provide their lifetime care: UK store | US store

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