17 rescued circus big cats begin their new life in South Africa!
South Africa—Today marks the beginning of a wonderful new life for 12 tigers and 5 lions at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa, the big cats relocated to their forever home after being rescued from a life of circus suffering in Guatemala by Animal Defenders International (ADI).
The animals’ journey to freedom marks the successful conclusion of the organization’s 18-month Operation Liberty mission, during which ADI assisted authorities with enforcement of Guatemala’s animal circus ban, ending circus suffering in yet another country.
Jan Creamer, President of ADI, said: “These animals have experienced a lifetime of suffering and abuse in circuses in Guatemala but those days are over. At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, our place of loving kindness, the tigers and lions can run, play, and explore their wonderful, natural surroundings under the African sun. The beginning of the rest of their lives, we could not be happier for them.”
The epic journey to freedom began on January 18 at the ADI Temporary Rescue Center in Guatemala, where the animals have been cared for since their rescue. One by one, the 17 big cats were coaxed into their individual travel crates. Once secured and given time to settle, their journey of a lifetime got underway. The travel crates were lifted onto the trucks to take the animals to board the Operation Liberty Flight from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
During the flight, which made stops in Mexico, Belgium, and Qatar to load and unload cargo before reaching its final destination in South Africa, the big cats were monitored by veterinarian Dr Howard Rosner and provided with in-flight meals and water by ADI founders and rescue team leaders Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips.
After more than 34 hours flying, on the morning of January 21 the animals touched down at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to an eager audience of reporters, and ADIWS and airport staff.
“O. R. Tambo International Airport as a cargo and logistics super site was delighted to be able to play a part in the final stages of this successful rescue of the tigers and lions,” said Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana, General Manager for the airport. “The hard work of Animal Defenders International is a wonderful example of what can be achieved with such dedication and commitment. We wish the entire team involved, as well as the animals themselves, all the very best. With wildlife and our natural heritage under severe threat all around the world, we hope that this rescue will strengthen the resolve of all of us to play a greater role in conservation.”
Marc Tohir, President of Priority Worldwide, said: "Priority Worldwide has a strong commitment to the environment and animal rights and was pleased to once again partner with ADI on another ground-breaking animal rescue that has been years in the making. Traditionally animals are transported for activities that Priority Worldwide refuses to participate in, including experimentation, ‘pet’ trade, entertainment, food and apparel. Our entire global team is honored to take part in this rare opportunity to do something good in transport for animals."
The Operation Liberty Flight was largely funded by nonprofit leader GreaterGood.org, whose fundraising efforts included a competition for supporters to name two male tiger cubs (Max and Stripes) who were rescued by ADI with their family from a junkyard where the circus had been keeping them.
“We are thrilled to know that after years of neglect and abuse these former circus tigers and lions rescued by ADI have safely arrived to their destination in South Africa, where they will live and roam free for the rest of their lives," said Liz Baker, CEO for GreaterGood.org. "We are inspired by our community that has helped us fund this life-saving transport and provide these animals with a new home they all deserve."
For the final leg of their journey home, the animals travelled once again by truck to the 455-acre ADIWS in Free State. After arriving at the sanctuary, during the late afternoon of January 21, a fierce storm blew in as ADI began unloading the big cats. Although it was possible to release young tigers Max and Stripes – who after their first cautious steps prowled opposite lengths of the huge habitat perimeter before bursting into a run when they spotted one another – and their father Itza, the release of the other animals had to be abandoned until this morning due to the worsening weather.
With the storm passing, and the sun shining, lions Kimba, Sasha, and Tomás were the first to be released on January 22, followed by Tanya and her doting partner Tarzan, and then the remaining tigers Sasha and Kumal, Sun and Moon, Luna and Jade, and Sombra, Bimbi, and Lupe.
The animals, once confined to bare cages about the size of a queen size bed, now enjoy natural grassland enclosures with native trees and bushes, platforms, dens, and night houses. The 5 lions have acres to enjoy in the natural homeland of their ancestors, while the 12 tigers have a huge 650,000sqft Tiger Territory complete with a series of spring-fed pools for the tigers to play in.
Banning the use of animals in circuses in April 2017, the government of Guatemala invited ADI to help enforce the law after it came into effect 12 months later, as several circuses were defying the law. With the organization having successfully completed similar missions in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, ADI sprang into action. Launching Operation Liberty in May 2018, ADI quickly established a Temporary Rescue Center in the country to care for the rescued animals until they could be relocated to their forever homes. All of the animals have received veterinary treatment since arriving in ADI’s care, with several experiencing health issues due to inbreeding, and others requiring dental surgery to repair damaged teeth.
The first two lions (Kimba and Sasha) were voluntarily handed over by Circo Navarro in May 2018. In June 2018, two more lions (Tarzan and Tanya) and nine tigers (Sun, Moon, Luna, Jade, Sasha and Kumal – and Kimba, Max and Simba, who have been relocated to a US sanctuary) were surrendered by Circo Hermanos Ponce but they refused to hand over a family of seven tigers. Handed to a zoo after the circus ban, ADI was given just 20 minutes’ notice that another lion, Tomas, was on his way to the ADI Temporary Rescue Center in September 2018, the zoo no longer able to care for him. In November 2018, ADI returned to Circo Hermanos Ponce to rescue the remaining tiger family. Tragically, one cub had since died, but the two surviving cubs Max and Stripes were removed from the junkyard where they were being kept along with their parents Itza and Sombra and aunts Bimbi and Lupe.
The ADIWS is now home to 43 big cats—all but one rescued from circuses in Latin America. Due to the abuse these animals have suffered and their years of confinement, it is not possible to release them in the wild. Most of the animals were declawed in the circus, a cruel mutilation to remove the claws.
To support the ongoing care of the animals at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, donations can be made here: https://donate.adiusa.org/sanctuary/
To adopt an animal: https://adiwildlifesanctuary.org.za/our-animals/
ADI is thankful to GreaterGood.org for its very special support, as well as Dr Lo Sprague (President of The Guibord Center), Dr Betsy Coville, Priority Worldwide, the departments of Unidad de Bienestar Animal MAGA (UBA) and Conap Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, ADI's animal protection partners in Guatemala, ARCAS, and the Guatemala government for passing the ban, and everyone who donated towards the historic rescue mission.
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