33 Lions airlifted to South Africa

May 1, 2016

33 Lions airlifted to South Africa

Christina Tkacik 0 Comment The Baltimore Sun Colombia, lion airlift, Peru, South Africa

Animal Defenders International organized the largest airlift of lions ever this week, flying 33 former circus lions from Peru and Colombia to a sanctuary in South Africa. The lions will spend their golden years at the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, South Africa.

: A former circus lion rests inside a cage located in the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The largest ever airlift of lions will take place Friday and was organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP photo/Martin Mejia)

: A former circus lion rest inside a cage in the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The largest ever airlift of lions will take place Friday and was organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP photo/Martin Mejia)

: A former circus lion looks from inside his cage, in the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The largest ever airlift of lions will take place Friday and was organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

: In this April 26, 2016 photo, a former circus lion sits in a cage on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland on Friday, April 29 to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International (ADI). (AP photo/Martin Mejia)

: Workers of Animal Defenders International, ADI, disinfect several cages which will be used to transport former circus lions to South Africa, in the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The largest ever airlift of lions will take place Friday and was organized and paid for by ADI. (AP photo/Martin Mejia)

: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 30: A crate carrying one of the 33 Lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia is lifted onto the back of a lorry before being transported to a private reserve on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia have been airlifted to South Africa to live out their lives on a private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: VAALWATER, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 01: One of the 33 lions is ready for release into it’s new enclosure at the Emoya ‘Big Cat Sanctuary’ on May 1, 2016 in Vaalwater, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia were airlifted to South Africa yesterday, before being released today to live out their lives on the private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. The animals have been released into small open areas with natural vegetation, something that many of the animals have never experienced before. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 30: A crate carrying one of the 33 Lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia is lifted onto the back of a lorry before being transported to a private reserve on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia have been airlifted to South Africa to live out their lives on a private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: A former circus lion is given a piece of meat to lick, held outside its cage to help sooth it before it’s transported to South Africa, at the port in Callao, Peru, Friday, April 29, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International (ADI). (AP photo/Martin Mejia)

: Unidentified member of Animal Defenders International (ADI), tries to comfort a former circus lion at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from various circuses in Peru and Colombia are being relocated to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 30: People watch as a crate carrying one of the 33 Lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia is lifted onto the back of a lorry before being transported to a private reserve on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia have been airlifted to South Africa to live out their lives on a private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 30: People watch as a crate carrying one of the 33 Lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia is lifted onto the back of a lorry before being transported to a private reserve on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia have been airlifted to South Africa to live out their lives on a private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: Airport cargo handlers attends to cages of former circus lions on their arrival at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, April 30, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from various circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading to Johannesburg live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International.(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 30: A crate carrying one of the 33 Lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia is lifted onto the back of a lorry before being transported to a private reserve on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia have been airlifted to South Africa to live out their lives on a private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 30: A crate carrying one of the 33 Lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia is lifted onto the back of a lorry before being transported to a private reserve on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia have been airlifted to South Africa to live out their lives on a private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: Former circus lions inside an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from various circuses in Peru and Colombia are being relocated to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: An African lion is seen in a cage as lions, that were born in captivity and held in circuses in South America, arrive at the OR Tambo International Airport on April 30, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A massive lion airlift including 33 lions, 24 from circuses in Peru and nine from Colombia, rescued by Animal Defenders International arrived to their homeland after both countries banned the use of wild animals in circuses. Their destination is the natural African bush at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa. (AFP PHOTO/AFP/Getty Images)

: A former circus lion explores the enclosure as members of the media and the staff watch his acclimatization at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from various circuses in Peru and Colombia are being relocated to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International.(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: A former circus lion scratches its head against a tree inside an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: Former circus lions plays after being released into an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: A former circus lion bites a tree branch inside an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: A former circus lion is released into an enclosure, at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: Former circus lions flight after being released into an enclosure at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

: VAALWATER, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 01: Two Lions squabble through the fence of their new enclosure at the Emoya ‘Big Cat Sanctuary’ on May 1, 2016 in Vaalwater, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia were airlifted to South Africa yesterday, before being released today to live out their lives on the private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. The animals have been released into small open areas with natural vegetation, something that many of the animals have never experienced before. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: VAALWATER, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 01: One of the 33 Lions enjoys his new enclosure at the Emoya ‘Big Cat Sanctuary’ on May 1, 2016 in Vaalwater, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia were airlifted to South Africa yesterday, before being released today to live out their lives on the private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. The animals have been released into small open areas with natural vegetation, something that many of the animals have never experienced before. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: VAALWATER, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 01: Two sibling lions explore their new enclosure at the Emoya ‘Big Cat Sanctuary’ on May 1, 2016 in Vaalwater, South Africa. A total of 33 former circus Lions, 22 males and 11 females from Peru and Columbia were airlifted to South Africa yesterday, before being released today to live out their lives on the private reserve in the Limpopo Province. 24 of the animals were rescued in raids on circuses operating in Peru, with the rest voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia after Colombias Congress passed a bill prohibiting circuses from using wild animals. The trip has been coordinated by the animal rights group ‘Animal Defenders International’. The animals have been released into small open areas with natural vegetation, something that many of the animals have never experienced before. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

: A former circus lion is released into an enclosure, at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Vaalwater, northern, South Africa, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Thirty-three lions rescued from circuses in Peru and Colombia are heading back to their homeland to live out the rest of their lives in a private sanctuary in South Africa. The operation is the largest ever airlift of lions, organized and paid for by Animal Defenders International. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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