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Did anyone follow the return of 33 rescued lions from Peru and Columbia , back to their homeland of South Africa ? An immense operation which was completely successful. There can be nothing but total admiration for these people.

I have followed their story so far, and they have all settled in well. Unfortunately two lions and two lionesses took ill last week. The two lionesses did not survive, which is so sad.

The first video they made of the rescue. The second video is complied from some of the same footage but also footage of their arrival at Emoya big Cat Sanctuary.

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You can read all about them here. Leo had a bad time with all his teeth smashed and his claws removed, as many other had too.

https://lionsbacktoafrica.org/meet-the-families/

I adopted Joseph, and with a much better diet his cataract is improving a little. It will then be assessed if he will be able to benefit from an operation.

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Well done Granny, you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be emotionally affected by the plight of those poor animals.

McGee, I have shed bucket loads of tears. Happy ones too, after seeing videos of how they are settling and gradually being re-introduced to playmates.

Dear, Joseph . Joseph is his new name, as he had never had one. They just called him 'Blind'

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Joseph has got a friend now......Ricardo

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Junior (one of the lions who took ill, better now) and Bumba.

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Moving on for a moment but on the same theme.

'Weepy of the day' !

Laboratory chimps caged for 30 years are finally released to a sanctuary


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Good News for Cheshire...........

Apparently, One of their Zebras recently died, and it was replaced by another baby Zebra.


http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/n...animal-circuses-banned-cheshire-11612924


Peter Jolly's Circus zebra when the show visited Helsby in 2014

Release, after 50 years in a cage ....for us.


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Update on the lions..

Off to the dentist today. Two so far. Having their dental work done due to their being broken when in circus captivity.

They are having all the necessary work done before they are released into their new enclosures in the near future..

First in is Junior:



.....and then 3 hrs ago Junior Recovering

Ojiciaro is next in the dentists chair. He and his friend Iron were in an horrific condition and had just about given up when they were rescued. I will update later on OJ .

Ojiciaro (at the front) and Iron when rescued in Colombia




HE CAME FROM HELL – TOGETHER, WE ARE TRANSFORMING HIS LIFE. Ojiclaro, one of the lions rescued in Colombia, is sedated by Dr. Peter Caldwell and prepared for surgery to repair extensive damage done to his teeth during his time in the circus. Behind him, his friend Iron looks on. Ojiclaro and Iron appeared in one of the saddest circus pictures we have seen (inset), in which the two lions looked broken. Today, they are transformed – it’s incredible to think they left that horrific circus cage and are back home in an ADI enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.

US $ http://bit.ly/1TjatPq
UK £ http://bit.ly/1WXaj5X
Paypal and Euros www.ad-international.org/donate

Find out about the ADI Operation Spirit of Freedom rescue: https://lionsbacktoafrica.org/the-rescue/

Special thanks to: Dr Peter Caldwell of Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic overseeing all veterinary procedures in the rehabilitation of the lions; Dr Gerhard Steenkamp, veterinary dentist and co-founder of savingthesurvivors.org; Dr Brendan Tindall, co-founder of thewildspirit.com.

35 mins ago...

..10 mins ago.



Ojiclaro is put into an ADI travel crate with a nice straw bed to recover from his extensive dental surgery to repair damage to his teeth endured before we rescued him from the circus. Minunette of Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary and Jan from ADI place blankets over him to ensure he stays warm.

A huge thank you to all the ADI supporters who donated and sponsored the construction of our 33 travel crates. Not only did those crates take our lions home to Africa (and Hoover home to Florida) but we are still using them

Meet the families on this link : https://lionsbacktoafrica.org/meet-the-families/

Today LEO is off to the dentist.

RESCUED CIRCUS LIONS GET USED TO LIFE HOME IN AFRICA. Leo nuzzles his beloved Muneca as we move towards reuniting them. Torn apart by the circus, we saved Leo in the first rescue during ADI's Operation Spirit of Freedom in Peru, but the circus blocked the authorities and ADI from seizing his mate and daughters Kiara and Africa. It took 8 months of pursuit but ADI never gave up, finally catching up with the circus and saving the lionesses in northern Peru. THEY ENDURED CIRCUS HELL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, NOW YOU CAN HELP LEO & MUNECA BE REUNITED AND SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES TOGETHER IN A NATURAL AFRICAN BUSH ENCLOSURE. The lions are currently in bonding camps at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary – a series of enclosures with a simple mesh separating the lions to be introduced but allowing some contact, to assess whether they can live together. We are also undertaking a major veterinary programme because many of the lions need help after their lives of abuse. Once lions are fully recovered from any veterinary procedures and have successfully been introduced to form prides, they take the giant step into their large, lifetime enclosures. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO COMPLETE THE ENCLOSURE FOR LEO, MUNECA AND FAMILY. CAN YOU HELP?

Donate $ http://bit.ly/2aAQRIM
Donate £ http://bit.ly/2aN0Yxm
Donate via PayPal / Euros http://bit.ly/29mIjIw

Meet the rescued families on the link:

https://lionsbacktoafrica.org/meet-the-families/


...10 mins ago.


LEO’S DAY AT THE DENTIST. Massive favourite with ADI supporters Leo is sedated by Dr Peter Caldwell ready for dental surgery. The first lion to be rescued during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom in Peru, Leo seemed broken and fading fast, but in our care his lust for life was rekindled. At Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, Leo is being prepared for life in a large natural bush enclosure with his family - can you help complete his home?

...15 mins ago.


REPAIRING THE HIDDEN HORRORS OF CIRCUSES: Rescued during ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom that closed down ALL of Peru’s wild animal circuses, every one of Leo’s canine teeth had been smashed in the circus. Veterinary dentist Dr Gerhard Steenkamp is putting right the battering the brave old lion’s mouth took. This is part of the preparations to get Leo ready to be reunited with his family and released into his large natural bush enclosure.

Granny, you're breaking my heart.

Beethoven, I could post a whole lot more which could break Superman.

Until we have our hearts broken , we cannot share suffering.

The good news is that, hopefully, all these lions will now enjoy the remainder of their lives in sanctuary.

LEO


Legendary Leo ... we had just given him his antibiotics ... which he needs after his 1st session of dental rehab

If you read Smith's story, you will see that the circus were not going to release him. That was before he attacked a teacher in the ring, and dragged her around like a rag doll. His friends had been released to ADI and he was obviously unhappy that he had been left on his own. The teacher was ok , apart from shock, but his actions saved him and he was released to ADI.

Have a look at this video....it might make you feel better. In they go with their pitch forks.

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and now you can have another heart break..if you dare.

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and then there's this sort of thing. (if you can take anymore)He's safe now with friends.

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The end of a long day for LEO....



OLD LEO BATTLES HIS WAY TO DAUGHTER. After extensive dental surgery, Leo, one of the lions rescued from a circus in South America by ADI, was returned to his enclosure to recover. Daughter, Africa, came to the fence of her adjoining enclosure to watch over Leo, and as he stirred, she began rushing back and forth. Leo pushed himself up and saw her.

Half conscious, he hauled himself up but fell back. He kept going with Africa seeming to urge him on. He would get up and take a few steps before his wobbly legs gave way. Each time he stumbled or sank to the ground, she craned forward. Finally, he reached the fence, she nuzzled his back and reached her paws out to touch him, Leo turned and their noses met before he settled down next to her.

Zeus ... He is the largest of the 6 Colombian males rescued by ADI ... He also has (cranial) nerve damage (which may have been caused by repeated beatings) and his tongue is often simply hanging out of his mouth ... he receives treatment prescribed by our vet, Dr Peter Caldwell and we hope to improve his condition.

Although very big and initially he was upset (angry) ... Zeus is beautiful and takes his medication so gently ...

Muneca, Africa and Kiara waking up as the sun rises in South Africa. The three lionesses, who were saved from a circus that ADI pursued for eight months after it initially slipped through the net, must surely hardly believe their eyes as they wake up each day to see the African bush and not the bars of their circus cage in South America. Please help us build the huge new enclosure where the lionesses will soon rejoin Leo. Last week, Leo and Muneca had dental surgery to repair damaged teeth and Africa and Kiara were spayed ready for their new life as a pride.

WORLD LION DAY 10TH AUGUST



Post your favourite picture of a lion.




Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary . Savanah Heuser at the age of 16yrs in 2012 had a dream. This is her dream come true.
You can donate if wished.

http://33lions.org/about-emoya/


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For those who are interested; The latest picture for OJ . Poor old boy. Enjoying his new life with no more tooth ache and no more fear.



Ojiclaro ... or OJ (as we call him) ... rescued by Animal Defenders International in Colombia.

Last week OJ had extensive dental surgery

Poor thing!!! Hope he has the life he deserves now.

I'm sure he will. Some nice news to be released soon about OJ and his friend ,Iron.

What Happens To The Animals After The Circus Leaves Town

SMITH



Smith was destined for execution. The lion had already been castrated, declawed, separated from his mate, Amazonas, and caged with another male’s offspring. He was agitated. Then one day in August 2014, during a circus performance in Peru, as he sat perched on a pedestal above a spectator’s head, which was lowered, exposing the back of her neck, the trainer commanded Smith to jump, and his natural instinct prevailed. He pounced on the audience member, grabbing her in his jaws and dragging her around the ring until a handler beat Smith into submission and forced him back into a cage.
The spectator survived, but the incident triggered an outcry for the lion to be euthanized, says Tim Phillips, vice president of Animal Defenders International. His group countered by pointing out how it was people, not Smith, who had acted recklessly and violated a law banning wild animals in circuses. ADI successfully pleaded with Peruvian authorities for Smith’s life to be spared and, with law enforcement’s help, the group returned a few days later to seize the lion from Circo de Monaco. “The world would be appalled if a lion is effectively murdered for what comes naturally when it was human beings and the circus being completely irresponsible and stupid,” Phillips says.
Husband-and-wife team Phillips and Jan Creamer founded ADI in 1990. Creamer’s passion for animal rights began in the 1970s when she saw a leaflet about researchers forcing beagles to smoke cigarettes in lab experiments. She later became chief executive of the National Anti-Vivisection Society, which combats the use of animals in product testing and scientific research. Creamer has filmed the mistreatment of animals in entertainment, circuses, labs and slaughterhouses. As for Phillips, after seeing the 1981 documentary The Animals Film, he promptly quit his banking job, became a vegetarian, bought a camera and started documenting abuse.

About a decade ago, they arranged an undercover team to infiltrate circuses throughout South America. Their clandestine footage revealed appalling instances of animals beaten and shocked with stun guns, chained up, malnourished, living in deplorable conditions and with missing eyes or smashed-in teeth. The work eventually led to Bolivia banning wild and domestic animals in circuses in 2009. But not all complied, and Operation Lion Ark commenced. ADI teams tracked down illegal traveling circuses across Bolivia, rescued 29 lions (as well as other animals) and airlifted 25 of them to the Wild Animal Sanctuary near Denver.
The animals at the 720-acre sanctuary—the largest in the United States—are representative of the animals in such refuges across the world. Most of the roughly 400 large animals here came from people keeping them illegally as pets or in abusive situations. Two black bears were raised by a taxidermist to be killed, mounted and sold. One female mountain lion was confiscated after the person holding her as a pet beat her unconscious with a baseball bat when the lion played too rough. Two wolves were raised in the mountains by a husband and wife who later divorced. The husband, to spite his ex-wife, hired someone to kill the wolves. But the shooter called the sanctuary instead.
Captive-born carnivores have a “very warped view of life,” says Wild Animal Sanctuary Executive Director Pat Craig. “Most don’t even know how to function in a family setting, or have the muscles or coordination to run or play in a large space.” So once an animal is rescued, it will likely need to undergo significant rehabilitation—which can happen only in sanctuaries with enough money to build enclosures where animals have space to roam, and the trained personnel to work on muscle and motor skill development, address medical problems like poor diets and missing teeth, and teach the animals to use their natural instinct.

Once Operation Lion Ark animals were placed, it was time to move on to the next country: Peru, which passed its ban in 2011. Operation Spirit of Freedom began in early 2014, when ADI and Peruvian authorities went about finding circuses and roadside zoos. “When you consider Peru is the size of Texas and California combined and is split by the Andes, you kind of get an impression of the sheer scale of tracking down a small circus that has two lions and might be in the jungle somewhere,” Phillips says. And once they did find them, they’d often face hostile opposition from circus workers. For example, some would bang on cages to rile up the animals, making raids chaotic. In another confrontation, a family who owned a traveling circus barricaded a puma in a truck bed behind equipment and tools, refusing to comply. They argued that turning over the animal would destroy their livelihood.

To obtain Smith, Creamer entered the circus—a traveling affair, at the time it was located in Cuzco, the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the ancient city of Machu Picchu—with police officers, and a face-off ensued for several hours. According to Phillips, the circus handlers threatened to release the wild animals into the streets if rescuers didn’t back down. After more negotiating, rescuers left with three lions, leaving two cubs, Smith and a spider monkey named Pepe behind. A few days later—after Smith attacked the spectator—accompanied by police in riot gear, rescuers seized the remaining animals. Then it was a 35-hour drive back to the temporary holding facility in Lima, Peru. “We go through hell on earth to get these animals,” Phillips says.

In the end, about 90 animals—including lions, monkeys, kinkajous, a tiger and a tortoise—were recovered from Peru and Colombia, and placed in the Lima holding facility until they could be relocated to permanent homes. Colorado resident Brenda Lee volunteered at the facility for two weeks, helping with feeding, cleaning and vaccinating the lions and monkeys. “You could tell which ones had been really traumatized,” she says; they were easily spooked.

A big chunk of change next went to the construction of habitats and the relocation of 39 monkeys and other animals to sites near Iquitos, Peru—the biggest city in the world inaccessible by road—an effort that required numerous trips through the unrelenting heat and torrential rain of the Amazon rainforest, which Phillips describes as working in an “absolute quagmire.” In April 2015, a large group of animals flew 600 miles on a Peruvian Air Force aircraft and then traveled by road to a naval base to board boats headed upriver to their final destination—semi-captive, ADI-constructed jungle habitats, far away from people.

In late October, Smith and the 32 other lions will travel on a chartered Boeing 747 from the holding facility in Lima to Johannesburg, South Africa, and onto the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, a 12,000-acre facility where the goal is to reintroduce Smith to his former mate, Amazonas. This will be the biggest airlift of its kind, according to organizers. The sanctuary is on a private estate in Limpopo, the northernmost province in the country, and is closed to the public. It also has a no-breeding policy. Still to come: constructing large, natural habitats and enclosures for these lions—another major expense. Phillips says all the challenges in rescuing and placing these animals have been worth it: “When you see Smith being so playful, you think if you had just taken the easy option, he would have just lived and died in that circus cage.”

Introducing you to IRON..

Iron is OJ's friend. The two were kept together in the cage, the picture of which I posted of how they were found when they were rescued.

Iron by name, Iron by nature.

He was the first lion to be released from their travel cages into Emoya Sanctuary and immediately went over to a tree and rubbed his head. Something he had never had before. This picture seems to tell a story of liberation. There are some special updates to come through about Iron. Stay tuned.

These are the disadvantaged pair. Joseph with cataracts and although not completely blind, his other senses are affected also. Ricardo has only one eye.


Much loved Ricardo (sleeping in front) and Joseph ... we have not met a single person who "met" Ricardo and Joseph and did not feel love and compassion ... These two old gentlemen have a way to touch hearts ... often we just sit and watch them ...

Many people ask about how they live ... this should give you an idea of the 3 Bonnox Pty Ltd rooms they share ... they truly live next to each other and can see, hear and even "touch" if they wish ...

They have 3 "rooms" ... each room has a "tent" ... several large trees for shade (but we did remove the vast majority of shrubs and smaller trees to prevent Joseph from walking into them and injuring himself ... each room has a concrete water bowl which fills up automatically ... Ricardo has a hay bale ... which he adores ... they live across from two sweethearts, Liso & Jose ...

Another rescue by ADI in Peru.



Meet Cholita.

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Todays weepy. Musafa didn't have a very long time of freedom. The video was obviously made earlier. He passed away in the last couple of months due to kidney failure.

Musafa

MUFASA'S LAST STEPS IN CHAINS. Elderly Mufasa was over 20 years old and he had lived chained in the back of the circus pick up truck you can see in the background. This was the last circus in Peru with wild animals. It had taken ADI months to track the circus down, and when we moved in with police and the authorities, the standoff lasted all day with riot police and public prosecutors called in. But this was the moment Mufasa was handed over to ADI. The circus owner holds the stick he had used to control Mufasa but the old mountain lion is minutes from being cut from the chains that had bound him for life. As the chains were cut away, Mufasa arched his back and stretched. The circus had stolen the best years of his life but he had eight months in ADI's care before passing away peacefully in the habitat we built for him back in the forest where he belonged. There are moments when a suffering animal's life can transform forever - this was the moment for Mufasa.



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Leo had his dental treatment and now some wonderful news.

Happy Days


LEO, MUNECA & FAMILY REUNITED! Rescued against all the odds from circuses hundreds of miles apart in South America, the family of lions who crossed the globe to become a pride again, home in Africa. Leo was rescued by Animal Defenders International (ADI) on the first day of a huge operation to enforce Peru’s ban on wild animals in circuses. But the circus blocked the rescue of Leo's mate Muneca and daughters Kiara and Africa. Then it disappeared with them before a court could decide on their fate. ADI never gave up, and eight months later tracked down the circus over 600 miles away, in a remote region near the border with Ecuador. Leo’s family was saved. In May, ADI flew 33 lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia to a new life at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Leaving behind their small miserable circus cages and stepping out into the African bush. The past months have been spent rehabilitating the lions, performing veterinary surgery to repair damage done by the circus and re-introducing the prides. Tens of thousands of people were spellbound by our video of Leo recovering from the anaesthetic of dental surgery as he battled to reach daughter Africa as she urged him on. NOW LEO, MUNECA, AFRICA AND KIARA ARE BACK TOGETHER. As we build prides with these lions who endured so much WE NEED YOUR HELP TO COMPLETE THEIR FOREVER HOMES – HUGE ENCLOSURES OF NATURAL BUSH – PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.
Donate $ http://bit.ly/2aAQRIM
Donate £ http://bit.ly/2aN0Yxm
Donate via PayPal / Euros http://bit.ly/29mIjIw

Watch the video of Leo battling to reach daughter Africa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm4NI_juV_0
Watch the incredible rescue: http://bit.ly/2atW1oA

Ricardo is Joseph's friend.

Contentment.

RICARDO

Dear Joseph.. looking good ! He enjoys glamping.

Today is big day at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary. Lionesses Mahla (pictured), Amazonas (both of the Cusco family) and possibly Barbie (if we stick to the schedule) will be sterilized by Dr Peter Caldwell.

We work closely with Dr Caldwell and no veterinary treatment is given, stopped or changed without consulting with him.

Mahla, Amazonas & Barbie were rescued

MAHLA

Emoya is building Liso & Jose special low platforms.

ADI is funding the special needs enclosure which we hope to move Liso & Jose to within the next two weeks. Due to their health and physical limitations, Liso, but especially Jose will never be released into a large enclosure. Jose has very limited eyesight ... hearing and we think severely limited sense of smell too. We will not separate the two brothers.

Their special needs enclosure is 30m x 30m (900 square meters!) ... set in beautiful natural bush ... they have a sunken concrete water crip ... which fills up automatically ... their tents will be moved too! We are also constructing two feeding rooms ... this will make it easier for Jose.

At first, the two boys were fearful and incredibly aggressive, hurling themselves at anyone who walked nearby. With loving care from the ADI team, this inseparable duo could let their true, gentle natures show.


Jose
and Liso

A huge conference going on atm, in helping to protect these wild animals.
This is the latest on the lions of AFRICA.




BOTSWANA IS #TAKINGASTAND FOR LIONS. Tsekedi Khama, Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism for the Republic of Botswana, appealed to countries around the world to support the CITES #CoP17 proposal to up-list the endangered African lion for Appendix I protections, introduced by nine African nations (Niger, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria and Togo). The issue is battling through working groups this weekend and may go to the Committee vote as early as Sunday.

ADI supports the up-listing and its courageous proponents, along with Khama, who said: “It would be a very, very sad day if, or when, we are not able to show our children’s children what a lion looks like because they have been hunted into extinction or because we traded their body parts into extinction, and that we have taken no responsibility in managing the situation and taking the opportunity to do the right thing. That opportunity is now”. Botswana are taking a firm stance for African lions – we all need to stand against those opposing the necessary action to up-list this endangered species.

Urge your government to take immediate action for wildlife: http://bit.ly/2buRzIZ

SHARE and DONATE to our campaign:

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Discover more ways to help: http://bit.ly/2bFJjof

....and after all of that, it's NOT happened. How shameful !

BREAKING NEWS – PROPOSAL TO UPLIST LIONS TO APPENDIX I FALLS: CITES CoP17 has dealt a devastating blow to African lions, already decimated with only 20,000 lions left in the wild.
Nine African nations (Niger, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria and Togo) wanted to raise protection for lions by uplisting them to Appendix I, the maximum level of protection. The move was intended to end the lion bone trade. Instead, a compromise proposal was hammered together to appease the fierce opposition from lion bone and body part traders and the hunting for entertainment enthusiasts.
Lions remain on CITES Appendix II, but with a “zero annual export quota for bones, bone pieces, products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.” However, South Africa has been permitted to set its own export quota for the same body parts and products from their captive breeding operations. Trouble is, nobody can tell the difference between wild lion bones and captive bred lion bones. Tragically, it does not include lion skins or parts/derivatives obtained through captive breeding.
ADI is deeply disappointed and believes this move actually encourages opening markets in lion bone trade. Countries that are not currently trading in lion bones will now want to join the trade.
The decision is in stark contrast to the recent IUCN call for an end to captive bred lion hunting operations, and the recent recognition by the countries with wild lion populations, that the increasing lion bone trade poses a serious risk to the survival of the species in the wild.
Lions desperately need Appendix I protection; canned hunting operations and commercial lion trade is not conservation, but actually fuels illicit trade. ADI strongly opposes canned hunting, trophy hunting, and all trade in live lions or their parts and derivatives. We urge all ADI supporters to take up this issue and take forward the battle to save the world’s lions.

....so this can continue.

Not only, but also. EU have made their position quite clear. Hardly surprising when they won't put a ban on wild animal circuses in the EU. That includes the UK. I did write to my MP about pushing for supporting the elephants and lions at the CITES conference, but inevitably did not receive any reply ! Does that surprise anyone ?


CITES DENIES ELEPHANTS’ APPENDIX I PROTECTIONS. Thirteen African countries proposed to up-list all African elephants to Appendix I, to ban all ivory trade, and address the species’ decimation caused by illegal and legal markets, political destabilization to African nations, and criminal impacts to local communities, including expanding criminal networks with ties to terrorist organizations. Supporters included an economist noting the devastating impact of the expanding ivory market, evidenced by simultaneously increasing supply (via poaching) and pricing. Botswana also supported the proposal, noting they “unreservedly and voluntarily relinquish” their Appendix II status and committed to another ten years on their ivory trade ban, to 2024.

The proposal required a 2/3 majority, but lost 62-71; elephants remain split, listed with Appendix II listing for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Opposition to Appendix I listing included South Africa, Canada, China, Japan, the EU, and US, among others. US opposition was contrary to verbal assurances provided prior to the vote. The EU’s 28 votes for each member country meant its opposition was particularly devastating.

Other elephant related decisions included:

- Overwhelming opposition to proposals from Zimbabwe and Namibia to remove annotations restricting commercial trade in elephant products;

- Recommendations to parties to close domestic ivory markets; however, compromise language was so weakened as to undercut its purpose, and leave open the ability for continued ivory trade; and encouragingly;

- Seven African countries (Burkina Faso, CentralAfrican Republic, Chad, Kenya, Mali, Niger and Senegal) proposed a progressive measure to ban all trade in live elephants. Mali described being “deeply disturbed that these animals are treated as mere objects;” noting “deleterious effects have been confirmed by elephant experts; referencing the recent death of a young female elephant in transit to a US zoo; and declaring that “animals held in captivity have nothing to do with animals in the wild”; and that because “elephants live in groups, when captured their families are broken up … [it’s] comparable to what happens to human families when they are broken up.” Kenya added captivity was “lifelong incarceration” and declared it "is time we put an end to the exporting of elephants out of their home ranges.” The measure was watered down in its working group; however, the compromise adoption calls for further study and reporting to revisit the live trade in elephants and rhinoceros in subsequent CITES meetings.

ADI supported the Appendix I up-listing, and will continue to work for these necessary protections.

Help more animals at CITES #CoP17: http://bit.ly/2bFJjof

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Meet the families.

https://lionsbacktoafrica.org/meet-the-families/

The Huaral Family.

Leo, Muneca , Africa and Kiara , one now happy re-united family are to be released into their new permanent homes this week.
Update to follow.

After that will be Coco, Rolex and Chino , also expected this week.

Leo after his dental treatment a few of weeks ago.

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If anyone is interested, this is the latest at the CITEs conference.

ALL 28 countries in the EU, voted last week against the upgrading to Appendix 1 for African Elephants and Lions , even though the numbers in the wild have been decimated over the last 3-7 years, and the African counties pleaded with them for support. Who has had a barrel pointing at all their heads ?

Fortunately ther is some good news, but not for the Wood Bison of Canada .




Animal Defenders International

4 hrs ·
..

Good & Bad News for animals at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) #CoP17.

THE GOOD NEWS: All Asian and African Pangolin species, the Barbary Macaque, and the African Grey Parrot were up-listed to Appendix I (the highest protection, with no international commercial trade). Helmeted Hornbills (whose derivatives are muddled with/complicate ivory trafficking enforcement) received increased protections. A proposal by seven African nations to end all trade in live elephants will move forward for study and consideration. Other successes included the rejection of Zimbabwe’s & Namibia’s attempts to remove restrictions on commercial trade in elephant products, and Swaziland’s plea for rhino horn trade. Canada’s proposal to down-list the Peregrine Falcon was rejected, as was China’s call to delete a provision calling for an end to tiger farming and trade. ADI is part of the Species Survival Network, who report that 73% of the enormous number of proposals presented went the way we pressed.

THE BAD NEWS: Our drives to secure Appendix I protection for African lions and all African Elephants were defeated – this means the situation remains the same for these animals whose populations are in dire decline. Cape Mountain Zebras, Honeyeaters, the American Crocodile, and the Florida Panther and Eastern Cougar were all down-listed to Appendix II, and Wood Bison were deleted from Appendix II.

Read more: http://bit.ly/2cNHlBZ

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Now the good news, as promised.

Leo, Muneca, Kiara and Africa stepped into their natural bush enclosure about 6 hours ago. All together again, as one family.

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Well at least theres some good news. Good luck lions.

Nice ending to a sad story. Thanks Granny.

It's great , isn't it. I just love all their beautiful faces, and how they have transformed since their days in beast waggons.

The first of many groups, hopefully although Joseph and Ricardo will not be so as they are special needs.

They are getting desperate for rain down in S.A. at the moment.

The team don't expect to see much of them from now on, although they will be feeding them, however often that is. They will learn to come for food when they need it, as they are unable to hunt due to the damage they have suffered.

Here is a picture of the team that rescued them. Taken on the first night of their arrival at Emoya with the lions, it must have been a wonderful atmosphere. I take my hat off to every one. Amazing people and still they strive to continue the rescue of more animals, wherever they are.

It's also nice that they are an English couple who started all of this, I feel quite proud of them.

I have recently been neglecting Explore.org and the bears, Cools. I must catch up before they hibernate and see how fat Otis is now.

Today: 4 hours ago.

Wow ! Good news indeed .........


President Obama Has Signed the END Wildlife Trafficking Act into law.

October 7, 2016
https://www.wcs.org/get-involved/updates/president-obama-has-signed-the-end-wildlife-trafficking-act

If anyone wants to pre-order the Lion Ark movie, there is a 20% discount atm. Released on DVD in November.

I have bought all my Christmas cards from here this year. Sooner give the money to a non-profit making animal charity, than to e.g. Tesco

https://www.ad-international.org/store/uk/

.[youtube]34X8wx3WXqI[/youtube]

LION BACHELOR PAD ALMOST COMPLETE! Coco, Chino (both pictured) and Rolex are patiently waiting to move into their forever home at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary. These three boisterous boys are Leo’s sons, who was released into his new home in the African bush last week, along with lionesses Muneca, Kiara and Africa. Young Coco, Chino and Rolex are bursting with energy – we can’t wait to watch them CHARGE into their huge new habitat, JUMP, CLIMB AND PLAY on the platforms, and lap up their exciting new lives. FREEDOM IS SO CLOSE

Can you do a collection at work or school ?


It took almost two years for ADI to track down and raid every circus in Peru, rescuing over 100 animals, ending the suffering. BUT THE RESCUE IS NOT OVER YET – WE NEED YOU TO GET INVOLVED. There is one final step: Completing twelve large natural bush habitats that will be home for life for the lions rescued by ADI, now at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary. CAN YOU HELP WITH THAT FINAL STEP TO FREEDOM FOR JOSEPH, RICARDO, THE COLOMBIAN PRIDE, AND THE OTHERS? Can you do a collection at work or school, a sponsored event, or an online fundraiser? We will help. WHY NOT FOLLOW IN THE EXAMPLE OF THE LION LOVERS FACEBOOK GROUP, who adopted Rey at the start of the rescue, sponsoring his holding unit at the ADI Peru rescue center, his care, his travel crate, journey to South Africa, and are now raising funds for the home for life for his entire pride? YOU COULD ADOPT A LION OR A PRIDE TO HELP.

Please support these great efforts:
Donate US $ towards The Lion Lovers Facebook Appeal for Rey's Pride: www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/animaldefender/Lion-Lovers-Rey-HomeforLife
Donate UK £ http://bit.ly/1WXaj5X
Donate via Paypal & Euros http://bit.ly/29BldiH

GET IN TOUCH WITH ADI FOR HELP WITH A FUNDRAISER: [email protected]

Main picture: Leo’s family, out in the first habitat completed by ADI at Emoya; inset: Rey in circus cage before the rescue - we want to build his family's enclosure next.

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.


[youtube]BGZeVPNKO7c[/youtube]

Who remembers OJ and Iron and their story ?




Here they are now..


.

What a wonderful difference.

From despair to contentment ,how lovely.Well done to all concerned,keep up the good work

...and back to despair ! Grrrrrrrr !! What is wrong their problem ? Even Estonia is committing to banning wild animal circuses.

Hopes that the Welsh government would be the first country in the UK to break the deadlock and ban the use of wild animals in circuses have been dashed. Instead of decisive action, a weaker registration system is being considered.

SPEAK OUT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! Urge your AM to support a full ban: www.theyworkforyou.com

http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=4283&ssi=10

"May your weekend be filled with positive thoughts, kind people and happy moments!"

Junior (P) relaxing this morning.

So lovely to see them relaxed and presumably content.

and more

Coco, Chino and Rolex.

All three were living in a cage the size of a queen sized bed, on bare boards soaked in their own urine on the back of a truck. Their father Leo was in an adjoining cage (inset).

Dad Leo, has the last laugh. At least that looks like what he's doing. Nice and green again for them ,after the rains.

I presume they are still in captivity just a bigger cage and grass beneath their feet and breakfast dinner and tea provided.

Much better than where they were though.

No Fish, they are gradually being returned to the 'bush'. Huge enclosures on a 5000 hectare private estate. They can't go totally back into the wild as they are unable to hunt for themselves , due to claws removed, bad eyesight, head injuries, most had their teeth smashed (poor Leo had all his teeth smashed) and blindness, plus they never learnt to hunt. So they are being gradually introduced into their groups and then released into the 'wild' which is enclosed for their security too. The lions know where to receive their food once everyday , and at what time and that is all the human contact they may have now. Unless vets are needed etc.
Good isn't it ? All a dream of a 16 year old whose father died and left her and her mother living on this huge estate. She wanted to save the lions. Not open to the public or any tourists, purely donations and fund raising.

Happy Christmas to The Cusco Family.



It took two ADI rescue missions in Cusco, Peru, involving armed SWAT teams and riot police, to rescue lions Rey, Kiara, Smith, Amazonas, Mahla and Scarc. Now the pride, that once lived in tiny circus cages on the backs of trucks, are together in the African bush. Their wonderful habitat is part of a huge ADI construction program at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa. The lions have over 5 acres of pristine, natural bush, with self filling waterholes and platforms.

[youtube]ZKkY0zz72hg[/youtube]

For anyone still interested in the 33 Lions, this is the link to Emoya Big Cat Santuary.

You don't have to be a member of Facebook. Just click 'not now' when the FB thing comes up and you can view the videos. When one finishes there is an arrow to the right or left of the last frame, which will take you to the next video. They regularly put up videos of the big cats, to show how they are doing.
The noisy one is Ricardo, with one eye, he has to have an enclosure more suitable to his needs.

https://www.facebook.com/EmoyaBigCats/videos/?ref=page_internal

http://www.ad-international.org/conservation/go.php?id=4297&ssi=14

Lion numbers are in devastating decline, conservatively measured at a 43% loss over the past 21 years, with 59% in East Africa alone. West African population estimates identify a mere 400 individuals. What little habitat remains (8% of lions’ historic range) is increasingly divided. Ongoing and increasing threats such as habitat loss, a loss of prey species, retaliatory killing and trafficking of lion bone are having a detrimental impact.

sponsors for bringing two more lions back to Africa. Just to show how after a week, and many donations of only £5 and £10 has achieved over half the air miles needed. Updated every day, with the names of new donors added onto the list.
It's all good stuff and pretty exciting. There will be live coverage when they are transported in March sometime.

https://www.facebook.com/EmoyaBigCats/

All funds raised for above in only 10 days. They are now waiting on a date for transfer.

In the meantime ..dear Joseph. Looking completely chilled.

the second picture, shows him on his nice new lawn which funds were raise for a couple of weeks ago. He loves it !

Who does this eye belong to ?

Serabie was rescued as a baby from a farm for 'canned hunting' , Chanel was rescued aged 3 weeks old from an illegal trader in Cairo.

I love this video, it's so inspiring . Is everyone bored with me yet ??

Love it gran, have forwarded it.

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.

[youtube]LvCRSOu8l8A[/youtube]

A year today since these lions were re-homed back in Africa.


https://www.facebook.com/EmoyaBigCats/videos/1009930525803939/

“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.

Watch the video. And Smith … TODAY ...

This is what it is about.

We need ONE adoption for SMITH today PLEASE!
https://www.secure.adi-navs-ldf.org/donate.asp?id=1823

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

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

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