Good to see Iron looking back to his usual magnificent self after over three hours of dental surgery at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary at the weekend. Dr Peter Caldwell was at the sanctuary on Saturday assessing the animals and giving vaccinations. Dr Gerhard Steenkamp performed three root canals, two extractions, repaired a fractured molar in Iron who was originally rescued from a circus in Colombia.
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Leo watches over Muñeca when she gets sick
19-year-old Muñeca is now in Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital after she became lethargic and stopped eating. Leo clearly realized something was wrong and stood by his adored Muñeca, encouraging and wrapping his legs around her. A reminder of just how important social bonds are to lions.
Continue readingLion loyalty
Tarzan says “No” to food and meds until he sees his Tanya! Recently, Tarzan was unwell. Taking no chances, we took him to hospital. But he was miserable there and refused to eat or take his medication. The solution – bring his Tanya in early for her dental check! The couple were put together in the same hospital room. They were overjoyed to see each other, and Tarzan immediately took his meds, ate his dinner, and went straight to sleep, guarded by his Tanya!
Continue readingAmazonas is home
Amazonas is settling back into life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa. Rescued by ADI from a circus in Peru eight years ago, lioness Amazonas recently had an eye removed by Dr Peter Caldwell due to a cataract combined with a collapse of the back of the eye. After a period using the house and feeding camp, with monitored visits from her family, Amazonas seems to have adapted well and is back enjoying Tohir Habitat.
Continue readingIndomitable Sasha
When Sasha was a tiny cub, the Guatemala circus owner decided to cut off her front toes, to prevent her claws growing. She would not be able to defend herself. The circuses don’t pay for veterinarians. She will have been torn, screaming, from her mother, her legs held tight, as her toes were cut off. Instead of cleanly cutting all the toes off, one toe was crushed. The injury was just left, and so baby Sasha developed a limp, her toe infected and painful. Six long years of pain later, the infection turned into cancer.
Continue readingAmazonas eye surgery
We reported earlier that Dr Caldwell had identified a serious eye problem for lioness Amazonas – a cataract combined with a collapse of the back of the eye, and she was taken into hospital. The ophthalmologist confirmed Dr Caldwell’s diagnosis and that the eye should be removed. We are all relieved and delighted that the surgery has been a success, our strong lady of the Amazon is recovering well and will be home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary soon.
Continue readingAmazonas on her way to hospital
Amazonas, beloved aunt of the Cusco pride, is on her way to hospital. There was no need for sedation and she calmly walked into her travel crate. For some time, veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell has been monitoring her right eye, which has a cataract and the lens has prolapsed to the anterior chamber. For much of the time, the eye has looked normal with occasional flare-ups. It is highly likely the eye will need to be removed. Eye problems begin in the rescued lions as a result of years of malnutrition in the circus. There may also be a genetic component, as the lions with the worst eye problems are likely related. Amazonas’s sister Kiara of Cusco had an eye removed five years ago and Leo had his eye removed last year. Although they are in two separate family groups, the circus owners bred and sold cubs to others and asserted that Leo was father to most of Peru’s circus lions. Kiara of Huarral is definitely Leo’s daughter (as is Africa), and now has a serious cataract in one eye.
Continue readingNew look for rescued lion
Tarzan is enjoying life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, with his beloved protector Tanya after surgery, and his lip is healing well following his partial lip-lift by Dr Peter Caldwell and Professor Gerhard Steenkamp. The lion’s face had been torn apart by a tiger in a circus in Guatemala and the circus left it to heal hanging from his chin. After ADI rescued him, we pledged to see what could be done to help him. The surgeons were only able to do a partial lip lift because of the lack of tissue but, as those who knew him before will see, it has made a significant difference and we are sure he is more comfortable now. Tanya adores him just as much as ever.
We are rooting for Rey
Rey Ayacucho (or Rey A) will be staying at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic under the supervision of Dr Peter Caldwell for a while. His condition is potentially serious with a large mass in his chest that is pressing on his lungs. Dr Caldwell has stabilised him and is evaluating different treatments. Rey is comfortable right now, and has a good appetite but can only eat small portions. Much Love to Rey and wishing for him to come home again to be with brother Simba at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.
Rey hospital update
Thank you to everyone who has been sending “Get Well” wishes to Rey Ayacucho, who is currently in hospital at the Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic. You will be pleased to know that Rey is looking much brighter and has regained some of his appetite. Lions are so stoic, as in the wild it is not safe to show any weakness, which is a big concern when one of our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary circus survivors starts looking unwell. Rey is under the watchful eye of Dr Peter Caldwell and will be having some tests, so we are all hoping for the best and seeing him back at the Sanctuary soon with his friend and brother Simba.
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