Thanks Snowshoes. If you like, here is another of 2 rescued Siberian tigers, also at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary. Savannah Heuser , the young girl who founded the sanctuary on her family's land, took the photos, and the montage was done by a friend of hers, Judith Webber.
Beautiful pictures of beautiful animals.
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Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
“There are somethings you can only learn in a storm.”
This month we celebrate the arrival of the #33Lions in South Africa. They were rescued by Animal Defenders International from various circuses & zoos in Colombia & Peru.
We honor ADI, donors from all over the world, friends & family who supported us and the lions. We honor the journey these lions made. Not only across continents & and the Atlantic Ocean, but their LIFE journey.
We celebrate SMITH. Smith made headlines around the world after attacking a member of the audience during an incredibly irresponsible act by the circus, after separating him from his adored cage mate Amazonas.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
I know it's long way away from here in Wirral, but for anyone who has followed the 33 rescued circus lions that were rehomed in South Africa at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, just over 12 months ago, today Savannah and Minunette (her mum) have released a notification. We do not yet know what has happened, but I feel sick at the thought of what might have happened.
Dear Emoya Friends
With heavy hearts we graciously and respectfully ask for your patience and sensitivity at this time as we recover from and get to the bottom of the traumatic attack at the sanctuary this week.
We have 24-hour security and armed patrols and have taken immediate, added measures to safeguard our big cats and sanctuary.
There has been a steady stream of investigators and forensic experts through the sanctuary.
At this critical stage of the investigation we are unfortunately unable to share more information and will endeavour to do so as soon as we can.
The sanctuary will be closed to visitors and volunteers for the meantime. Volunteers and visitors who are staying with us in the near future can send an email to [email protected] Minunette & Savannah
Last edited by granny; 2nd Jun 20176:17pm.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
TWO VERY SPECIAL LIONS, NOW IN THEIR VERY SPECIAL HOME - THANKS TO YOU! Best buddies José and Liso were rescued from the circus in Peru and flown home to Africa by ADI. Suffering head trauma - likely caused by beatings in the circus – José has difficulties judging distances, so we have built the friends a "special needs" forever home at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa, where they can play, snuggle and LIVE THEIR LIVES in complete safety.
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Two beautiful, brave boys have been mutilated !
Thank you for your concern, your kind words, and support. It’s time to #standtogether.
We were “just” a sanctuary. This week, this changed.
Two of our lions were lost to poaching.
They have broken my heart. They have broken Savannah’s heart. And I know this breaks your heart too.
We are all heartbroken, but these killers will never break our spirit and the spirit of freedom that ADI has fought so hard for.
Because we are also angry. We are not going to take this lying down. We are standing together. Every sanctuary, every conservationist, every friend of ADI and Emoya. Every one of us.
We stand together against wildlife trade.
This is not just another poaching incident. We are going to unite, stronger than ever, and bring to justice the perpetrators who murdered our two beloved boys, José and Liso.
Minunette
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
That's awful Granny, so unfair after all they have been through...Poachers!!Scourge of wildlife. It's the people with money usually getting the dirty work done for a pittance by local people who need money.Horrible!!!
It is horrible Cools. It seems as if the whole world has caved in. The support from all over the world is incredible, but it can't bring them back.
The vet who did autopsies said they had both ingested a huge amount of poison and died very quickly. That I suppose is one small consolation. There are two perimeter fences to each and every enclosure, the outside one being electric fencing. They are still trying to figure out how it has been achieved.
Unfortunately, as these two lions had disabilities they were an easier target for attack. To me that indicates that someone from the inside must have been involved. As in the pitch black of an Africa night who would know where to find those particular two vulnerable lions ? That's my theory and probably their too.
It could have been any of the local helpers.
Cyanide is rife in South Africa now, for this purpose, as gun shot scares the birds and the poachers can be located more easily. Any animals affected by it, their carcases are contaminated which then kills off any other animal that it comes in contact with and also the immediate surrounding area. Insects are included as are the vultures. The poachers are even putting cyanide in water holes where the elephants and rhinoceros drink from.
Ivory for carving, bone for medicine and wine and the stuffed heads of lions all for the Asian markets. Sickening and tragic !
Anyway Cools, keep your eyes open for Otis. I heard of a little baby boy, born just last week who has been named Otis ! I couldn't say anything
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle