Angela, Bellone, Louga and Saida spent many years with a travelling circus. Living in cramped beastwagons, they were forced to perform unnatural tricks, terrified of the whip and deprived of their freedom. Thankfully, they were surrendered by their owner and moved to a rescue centre in France. We are raising funds to take them to our big cat sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa, and provide them with lifetime care in spacious enclosures nestled within the African bush.
Transporting four lions over 7,000 miles via land and air will require the expertise of Born Free's highly experienced team. Special travelling crates will be constructed to keep the lions safe; our veterinary team will provide round the clock care; and all the necessary paperwork and permits will be secured. COVID-19 has significantly impacted international travel, but once we can proceed, the lions will be transported from their temporary home in France to their ancestral home, Africa.
Supporting this appeal will not only help Born Free meet the costs of the move, but provide ongoing care for Angela, Bellone, Louga and Saida, ensuring they remain safe and in the best possible health for the rest of their lives. Born Free is at the forefront of the campaign to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, and this appeal shines a spotlight on these cruel and outdated circus shows. We want to help more captive wild animals in desperate need around the world.
Angela, Bellone, Louga and Saida's plight is the tip of the iceberg. In the last three years, Born Free has rehomed seven lions with connections to French circuses, and in 2020, after years of campaigning by Born Free and other NGOs, plans to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in France were announced. As this legislation comes into effect, we anticipate more animals than ever will require sanctuary homes and expert care. Born Free will continue to help them wherever possible.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).