More than two dozen lions saved from South American circuses

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

April 26, 2016, 9:02 PM

More than two dozen lions saved from South American circuses

LIMA, Peru-- Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa.

The largest-ever airlift of lions will take place Friday and was organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. The Los Angeles-based group has for years worked with lawmakers in the two South American countries to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, where they often are held in appalling conditions.

The lions suffered in captivity. Some were declawed. One lost an eye and many were recovered with broken or rotting teeth.

In a statement, the group said the first group of nine lions will be collected in the capital Bogota on a McDonnell Douglas cargo plane which will pick up 24 more in Lima before heading to Johannesburg.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-than-two-dozen-lions-saved-from-south-american-circuses-heading-home/

[jpak]

1. hooray Big Kittehs

[C Moon]

2. Awesome news!

[pandr32]

3. Hopefully there will be no poachers at the sanctuary

...and these lions will be safely allowed to live out their lives.

[hamsterjill]

4. I love these stories.

My hat is off to the humans that make these rescues possible. Restores my faith in mankind.

[Judi Lynn]

5. The Biggest Lion Airlift Ever to Send Dozens of Big Cats to Africa

The Biggest Lion Airlift Ever to Send Dozens of Big Cats to Africa

They were rescued from South American circuses.

by Erik Shilling
April 27, 2016



Thirty-three lions start new lives in South Africa, after an environmental group announced that they would be flying the lions to a sanctuary there Friday, having rescued the big cats from circuses in Peru and Colombia.

Many of them have injuries, or have been declawed, and at least one is missing an eye. But Animal Defenders International, the group behind the flight, said that, ultimately, there will be a happy ending.

The flight will be the biggest airlift of lions ever, according to the Guardian.

"These lions have endured hell on earth and now they are heading home to paradise," ADI's president Jan Creamer said in a statement.

The group was able to rescue the lions after both Peru and Colombia banned them from use in circuses, ADI said. They will be sent to a sanctuary north of Johannesburg, after their plane lands.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-biggest-lion-airlift-ever-to-send-dozens-of-big-cats-back-to-africa

[center]





"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" [/center]

[Judi Lynn]

6. 33 Abused lions bound for freedom in SA - follow the last leg of their journey

33 Abused lions bound for freedom in SA - follow the last leg of their journey

2016-04-27 20:00 - Selene Brophy

Cape Town - 33 lions, rescued by British charity Animal Defenders International (ADI) are heading back to their 'mother land' - after both countries banned the use of wild animals in circuses. The lions, 24 from circuses in Peru and nine from Colombia, are expected to depart for South Africa on Friday 29 April, to live out their days at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Limpopo, who has pledged to take in the rescued lions. Opened by Savannah Heuser in 2012 when she was just 16 years old, the sanctuary has a no breeding policy and is not open to the public.

In October last year, Traveller24 reported how ADI expected to complete the largest aviation airlift to bring the rescued lions to SA towards the end of 2015. However, the British charity that first campaigned for the ground-breaking ban in 2011 – appears to be in need of funds in order to complete the journey. ADI issued a statement saying that initially it launched an online campaign, raising more than two thirds of the required airfare - but it is hoping to "generate the remainder this week". On the Greater Good pledge site, ADI says it has secured funding for 25 lions in total, but is still in need of donations for the remaining 8 lions.

Almost all of the rescued lions have been mutilated to remove their claws, one has lost an eye, another is almost blind, and many have smashed and broken teeth, making it impossible for them to survive in the wild. However at their new home the lions will enjoy large natural enclosures, complete with drinking pools, platforms and toys.

Emoya's Heuser says, “The lions are returning to where they belong. This is their birth right. African sun, African night skies, African bush and sounds, clouds, summer thunderstorms, large enclosures in a natural setting where they can remember who they are.”

More, with photos:
http://traveller24.news24.com/Explore/Bush/33-abused-lions-bound-for-freedom-in-sa-follow-the-last-leg-of-their-journey-20160427

[Judi Lynn]

7. Rescued circus lions to fly to South Africa

Rescued circus lions to fly to South Africa

27 April 2016 Last updated at 06:18 BST


More than 30 lions which have been rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are to be flown to a sanctuary in South Africa.


The airlift, which organisers say is the largest ever, will take place on Friday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36147441

(Video at link.)