In August 2018, ADI purchased 455-acres of land in South Africa and began turning it into a sanctuary with large natural habitats. It is now home to lions and tigers rescued as ADI emptied circuses in Peru, Colombia and Guatemala (and one huge lion, Kesari, who we ensured dodged a hunter’s bullet). We think these pictures of our residents taken in the past few weeks best sum up the world we have created for these survivors. Our mission is to keep emptying the cages and to give these animals a life as close to what nature intended.
tigers
Sun in the morning
Sun is now all grown up from that tiny cub with great big paws that ADI rescued from that bare circus cage in Guatemala. Sun and her sister Moon were just six months old when we rescued them. In our Temporary Rescue Unit in Guatemala, Luna and Jade seemed to tower over them. But with good nutrition from ADI and supplements, Sun and Moon have both outgrown their sisters from another litter, Jade and Luna, who were 18 months old when we rescued them. The four share the same habitat at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Coincidentally, one sister from each pair is outgoing, Sun and Jade and the other is quite shy, Moon and Luna, but they all adore each other and are led into fun and mischief by Jade. When you walk by their habitat, you can be sure Jade or Sun will come over to check you out – just like Sun did when we snapped this pic!
Roads for lions and tigers
When it rains in South Africa, it pours! Our habitats are green and lush and our natural wells feeding the residents’ habitats are full, but with more rains than usual this year, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. Our lion and tiger habitats cover over 60 acres and are connected by almost two miles of internal dirt roads, which are becoming increasingly churned up and on certain days, some are impassable.
Roads may not seem as exciting as flights or new habitats for rescued animals, but they are vital for lifelong feeding and daily care. Without these roads, we will be unable to add habitats to rescue more animals and run the risk of being prevented from getting a sick lion or tiger to hospital during heavy rains.
Continue readingTwo years on: the Guatemala lions and tigers in Africa
Were you watching as the lions and tigers rescued from circuses in Guatemala crossed the globe, stopping in Mexico, Belgium and Qatar on their way to a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa? The flight of the 17 lions and tigers marked the end of a very tough 18-month enforcement operation of Guatemala’s ban on animal circuses. Fast forward two years, here they are now, at ADIWS this week.
Their lives changed under ADI care – from the day we removed them from the circus cages and put them in our Temporary Rescue Unit, they got to run and play on grass for the first time ever, and nobody can forget how the tigers splashed around in their first pools!
Continue readingHappy Halloween for rescued lions and tigers
Life used to be just about tricks for these circus survivors and now it’s only TREATS! This week our lions and tigers at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary enjoyed pumpkin treats sponsored by supporters of ADI. As well as giving the animals a lot of fun, treats help satisfy their inquisitive and exploring nature, always looking for the new, so helps them to be physically and mentally active. Have a great Halloween weekend.
Help keep the fun going.
Lion and tiger football fun at ADI Wildlife Sanctuary
For some weekend fun, see our new video of lions and tigers at the ADIWS playing with their new footballs!
All animals are curious and enjoy new experiences and exploring their environment. Like us, exercising their intelligence and senses is important to their wellbeing. And the science now confirms what we all knew – non-human animals feel joy, pleasure, pain and fear much as we do. Knowing this, once we rescue our lions, tigers and other animals from circuses, we give them the largest possible natural habitats with space to run and lie in the sun (or soak in the pool if you are a tiger). But we are conscious that although the wildlife in their habitats is very entertaining, they still need new things to interest and engage them – this the reason we give them random objects like cardboard boxes with catnip/hay, pumpkins, melons and towers of hay bales to destroy. We are always looking for new toys to introduce.
Continue readingWinter warmers for lions and tigers
We are now in the middle of winter at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa, the coldest time of year. The coming weeks are expected to be particularly cold and the ADIWS team responded bringing in over 300 extra bales for added insulation. We provide a home for lions and tigers rescued from a life of suffering and abuse around the world. While they love basking in the sunshine and patrolling their habitats by day, the nights can be cold for these battered old warriors that have had the worst possible start in life.
Some endured more than a decade confined in tiny circus cages, lacking exercise, lying in excrement and urine, and malnourished. At ADIWS we pick up the pieces dealing with arthritis, spine problems and other health issues. That’s why the houses attached to their main habitats have rooms for treatment and observation and to provide a warm place to sleep. We have heated floors in three houses for senior lions – like Simba who was left with terrible arthritis after life in a circus in Peru. Now we want to add heat lamps to more of the houses for our lions and tigers to keep them snug at night as they approach their senior years.
Continue readingTiger sisters’ joy after one returns from hospital
Rescued by ADI from a circus in Guatemala, Sombra & Lupe now live at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Enjoy their reunion when Sombra returns from an extended stay in hospital. See how much they mean to each other and listen to them communicating.
Sombra is home
After an extended stay in hospital following a seizure, Sombra is back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and got a wonderful greeting from sister Lupe. Sombra was released from her travel crate into one of the rooms in her house while Lupe waited eagerly in the adjoining room. They went straight to the metal grill door between the rooms, nuzzling each other and chuffing loudly. We then let them back in together and they have not left each other’s side since, curling up together under the platform.
Continue readingSombra relaxing in hospital after seizure scare
The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team leapt into action when Sombra appeared to have had a seizure. Slightly unsteady on her feet she was enticed into a travel crate and our veterinarian Dr Caldwell, arranged an MRI to check her brain. GOOD NEWS: Sombra’s MRI is clear of seizure damage, but she has been put on seizure medication and will have to be monitored.
THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CIRCUS SUFFERING: The poor circus diet fed to this tiger family lacked important vitamins – this, and inbreeding, resulted in poor development as cubs, so the nerves at the base of their skulls are restricted. This causes the seizures. Tragically, this led to dear Bimbi passing away. It’s a relief that Sombra’s MRI did not reveal the same level of damage as Bimbi. In daughters Jade and Luna, the problem shows in their unnatural gait on their front legs.
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ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 