South Africa: Rescued lions explore new home in sanctuary

[Judi Lynn]

5. Rescued circus lions airlifted to South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, May 1, 2016

Updated: May 1, 2016 23:48 IST


Rescued circus lions airlifted to South Africa


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Two of the rescued lions squabble through the fence of their new enclosure at the Emoya sanctuary in South Africa on
Sunday. — Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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Close monitoring
The 33 lions will be monitored by a vet for their first weeks in Africa.

They will then be introduced to each other in a one hectare bonding enclosure.

Many of the lions were never allowed to have direct physical contact with other lions and have never been together without a fence or a cage separating them. Due to their poor physical state, the lions will never be able to hunt again and will have to be cared for with food and water for the rest of their lives.

Emoya will feed the cats with game meat, which it buys in bulk. The enclosures will be fitted with drinking pools, platforms and toys to ensure the lions don’t become bored and will be steadily expanded as they become familiar with their new life, said Savannah Heuser, who started Emoya with her mother. Emoya, in an area with a mix of habitats, including mountainous regions, rolling grasslands, forests, cliff caves and river gorges, has a strict non-breeding policy, Heuser said.

Female lions may receive contraceptive medications so they can remain with their mates, while males may undergo vasectomies to make sure than no lions are bred in captivity.

“The animals have no conservation value whatsoever. Many of them have been inbred,” she said.

“When we are sure that no breeding will take place, we allow males to interact with females. By then a pattern will have emerged ... and we will know which lions can be placed together.”

The sanctuary is currently home to eight big cats, including two Siberian tigers. — AP

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rescued-circus-lions-airlifted-to-south-africa/article8544390.ece