Tarzan, Chino, Muheeb and Saif have recovered after being sedated by Dr Peter Caldwell at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary for the annual health checks and vaccinations.
Continue readingAnnual health checks and vaccinations
veterinary
Lupe’s Halloween treat after health scare
We were over the moon to see Lupe back to her old self, enjoying a Halloween treat after suffering a seizure last week.
As ADI supporters know, the tigers we rescued from a circus in Guatemala have suffered from multiple health problems due to in-breeding and malnutrition early in life.
It is tragic how an early life poor care follows these tigers even after they are rescued. Heartbreakingly, four of the tigers we saved in 2018, Sombra, Bimbi, Itza, and Kumal passed away due to these issues.
The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary team keeps Lupe under close observation and Dr Caldwell monitors and adjusts her medication – her last seizure had been in June.
Lupe’s sons Max and Stripes, who live next door to her, appear to have avoided this problem. They were rescued by ADI at six months old, and so have enjoyed good nutrition from an early age, so have developed and grown larger and hopefully healthier than their parents.
Indomitable
Sasha relaxes at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and it’s hard to believe that this is a lioness with a titanium leg implant! A brutal declawing operation in a Guatemalan circus led to an infection and then spread up her leg. For 8 years she limped in constant pain in her circus cage. Then ADIWS veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell performed ground-breaking surgery, replacing the diseased bone with a titanium implant. After years of limping, the tendons shortened in her leg and so she still limps, but is no longer in pain and will leap onto her platforms. These days, she loves to spend time alongside brothers Tomas and Kimba from the same circus in Guatemala and in the mornings all three will chase along the fence that divides their habitats.
Please help support the indomitable Sasha, now 12 years old, by adopting her: UK store | US store
Kesari back home having fun in the sun
We are as delighted as his neighbours Coco, Chino, Rey Ayacucho and Simba, that Kesari arrived home last night after a stay with Dr Peter Caldwell at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic. He is back in the sunshine at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary today and is being treated for a bladder infection. The problem is believed to have been caused by him drinking less in the colder winter nights, so we will be taking boosting his water intake with blood and water ice lollies. Kesari has lost weight and we will be monitoring this, but it is great to have him home.
Continue readingTarzan kisses Tanya better
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
Continue readingTarzan guards as Tanya recovers from minor surgery
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.
Continue readingLions cleared to fly
ADI veterinarian, Dr Peter Caldwell, has been checking out the lions in Kuwait has cleared them to fly. WE ARE NOW JUST HOURS AWAY FROM FLYING THE KUWAIT 6 TO THEIR NEW LIFE. Please note the schedule below, we are loading a little later than originally planned.
The six young lions, Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, Saif, Dhubiya and Aziza are survivors of the illegal wildlife trade – lions purchased as ‘trophy pets’ just to be discarded when they were no longer wanted. The lions have been cared for at Kuwait Zoo until a home was found for them at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Qatar Airways have donated space on a cargo flight as part of their WeQare scheme and so the ADI team will be with the lions throughout the flight. We hope to provide regular LIVE updates on Facebook throughout the lions’ incredible journey home.
Continue readingTragic news – Ruben has passed away
We are all devastated to announce that our dear Ruben has passed away. Following a recent seizure, Ruben lost control of his back legs, leaving him struggling to get on his feet again. Despite his struggles, Ruben seemed positive, taking his medication, and responding to his carers. Sadly, his condition deteriorated and to get a more thorough diagnosis, Peter arranged an MRI to get images of Ruben’s spine, to see what could be done.
Continue readingRuben in hospital
As supporters know, Ruben has been struggling to walk again since his seizure and we have been discussing the possible causes with our veterinarian, Dr. Peter Caldwell. Ruben arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary last year with degenerative neuropathy and spondylitis which were causing him severe difficulties walking, losing balance, and stumbling. This is due to malnutrition and poor care throughout his life, combined with confinement and inbreeding. Ruben is a senior lion at 16 years old.
This morning, Ruben was less mobile and seemed dispirited. He has had good days and less good days, but has previously been in good spirits, engaged and pleased to see his carers. Peter examined Ruben and has speculated on two possible reasons for the seizure – either it is part of the ongoing degeneration of the nervous system or spine (the scale of any damage will be key to treatment) or inflammation, which he is optimistic we can treat. So Ruben has been sedated and taken into hospital for an MRI and Peter will take the opportunity to do a closer physical examination of his spine. This will give us a full diagnosis and a decision can be made on treatment.
Continue readingRuben update
Ruben is slowly recovering from his seizure but is not yet fully mobile, his balance has been affected. Despite it all, he seems in good spirits, is responsive to his carers, and has a good appetite. He is living in his outdoor den and comes out to sit in the sunshine. Ruben’s food and medicine is being delivered to him on the end of a stick, from the truck, twice a day. We slowly drive into the habitat to feed him and top up his water. Ruben is being incredibly calm, gentle, and cooperating with our Resident Welfare Team. He appears to understand we are trying to help.
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