Video captures a year in the life of rescued lions and tigers
A new video released by Animal Defenders International (ADI) records the changing seasons and month by month, the transformed lives of nearly 40 rescued lions and tigers at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa.
ADI rescued the big cats from lifelong brutality, fear and deprivation in circuses in Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala. They had never walked on grass, never felt the wind on their faces, sun on their backs, never run at speed or been allowed to choose what they wanted to do, or where they wanted to be.
The Our Year video shows the Sanctuary residents enjoying their new lives, their personalities and sense of fun on display when given space in large, natural habitats, and freedom of choice. These animals come out of the circuses too damaged to return to the wild, but the Sanctuary gives them a life as close as possible to the freedom they lost.
Watch Our Year: www.youtube.com/ADITV-animals
ADI President Jan Creamer: “These intelligent, sentient animals managed to survive years in the circus in small bare cages, and we wanted to show the richness of their lives now – how the landscape transforms through the year and how the wildlife has returned. There is much talk of enrichment for captive animals, and as you see in the film we provide treats and toys for our residents, but you really cannot beat nature and freedom of choice.
“We also wanted to give a taste of the day to day work that goes on at the Sanctuary to care for the individual residents. It’s mid-winter in South Africa now, so that means insulation for platforms and the heated floors are on in the houses of our seniors. South Africa remains cut off from the world due to the pandemic, so we hope we have given a real insight for our supporters, who have kept us going through these difficult times.”
The 455-acre site in South Africa was purchased by ADI in late August 2018, and just seven months later the first 27 lions moved in – rescued from circuses in Colombia and Peru.
The land had been denuded by farming, so the charity began returning the land to nature. A major tree-planting scheme is ongoing, wildflowers are encouraged, and the result has been an explosion in native wildlife and birds. Over 50 species of birds have been recorded. Water is solar-pumped from spring-fed wells and security fences; gates and water heating are all solar powered.
In early 2020, ADI concluded an operation enforcing Guatemala’s ban on animal circuses, bringing 17 tigers and lions to the Sanctuary. The new residents were barely settled when the pandemic hit and the charity, which relies on public donations, faced a huge challenge to keep the residents fed and cared for. The volunteer scheme was brought to an abrupt halt.
Jan Creamer: “The COVID-19 pandemic had a catastrophic effect on our finances and survival is an ongoing battle. For us it has been very tough, but, as you can see, our residents are all having the time of their lives!”
ADI is asking the public to help support the care of the circus survivors, building the facilities needed for animals who have endured a lifetime of abuse. Donate here.
People can also help by adopting a lion or tiger from ADIWS.
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EDITOR’S NOTES:
Contact: Gen Kennedy, Communications Director
+44 (0) 7785 552548, or mediadesk@ad-international.org
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxwpbDLUNhc
Animal Defenders International (ADI): London – Los Angeles – Bogota
Ending the suffering of animals in captivity and protecting wild animals and their environments
Active worldwide to end the suffering of animals: animals in entertainment – film, television, advertising, circuses and sport or leisure; animals used for food or fur; protection of wildlife and the environment; trade in animals; zoos, pets, entertainment and laboratories. Funding and promotion of advanced scientific methods to replace the use of animals in research. ADI investigates, produces evidence and reports on the scientific, legal and economic issues for each case study, recommending solutions. Education and awareness to public, media and officials. Where ADI’s evidence has been a catalyst for change, we collaborate with governments to conduct large-scale seizures of wild animals in captivity and relocate them to forever homes – back to their natural habitat wherever possible.
www.ad-international.org
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Twitter: @AnimalDefenders
Instagram: @animal_defenders_international
ADI TV YouTube: www.youtube.com/ADITV-animals