Rescued circus tigers to arrive in Florida after 18-month ordeal in Guatemala

[Judi Lynn]

Rescuers say they endured threats from armed Guatemalan mob after rescuing six lions and 15 tigers from circuses

Richard Luscombe
@richlusc
Mon 25 Nov 2019 07.00 ESTLast modified on Mon 25 Nov 2019 08.20 EST

Three former circus tigers will arrive at a sanctuary in Florida on Monday, at the conclusion of a harrowing 18-month recovery operation that saw their rescuers exposed to repeated intimidation and threats from an armed Guatemalan mob.

Workers for the California-based Animal Defenders International say they endured the harassment after rescuing six lions and 15 tigers from circuses in the Central American country following a 2017 law banning live performances by animals.

In one of the worst incidents, they said an armed group invaded a transitional rescue center the charity had set up on private land designated by the government, stealing fences, gates and workers’ possessions and attempting to take the animals back.

The ADI team said it locked itself inside the facility until police and government officials arrived, then hastened efforts to relocate all the animals to a more secure temporary rescue center closer to Guatemala City’s La Aurora airport in September, protected by its own armed guards.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/25/rescued-circus-tigers-to-arrive-in-florida-after-18-month-ordeal-in-guatemala





Rescued Bengal Tigers Arrive In Miami After Being Rescued From Guatemalan Circus

CBS Local › 1 day ago

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Three big cats rescued from a circus in Guatemala arrived at Miami International Airport Monday morning, as they make their way to their safe and new forever home.

“This is a huge day for the Big Cat Rescue. We are finally taking possession of our 3 former cats from Guatemala,” said Christina Scarnige with Animal Defenders International.

Two and a half-year-old Kimba and 9-year-olds Max and Simba, all born in a Guatemalan circus, are starting their new life in the U.S.

The three Bengal tigers are among a group of lions and tigers rescued from Circo Hermanos Ponce in June of 2018 after years of torture, rescuers say.

“Part of that day Kimba was beaten right in front of our eyes. We did stop the beating. Unfortunately, he started again and we intervened and we were able to take over at that point. Kimba will never be beaten again,” said Scarnige.

More:
https://firenewsfeed.com/news/447307

[Karadeniz]

1. Bless the animal defenders!❤❤❤❤

[Judi Lynn]

4. Courageous people of character, working against unscrupulous, cruel, violent dirtbags.

They know every step forward probably will take a fight.

Nothing but respect for them, and they are in such short supply.

[Bayard]

2. Outstanding and Courageous!

But I don't see how anyone gets away with beating a tiger without losing body parts.

Yay for Lions and Tigers!

[Judi Lynn]

3. It would be safe if the tiger was locked behind the bars of his cage,

and the sadistic idiot pounded him with a blunt instrument through the bars.

He's lucky he wasn't torn limb from limb. The world is not a better place because he was safe from the tiger.

[Judi Lynn]

5. What kind of monster would want to abuse any animal of any size? Unbearable. n/t