A touching lion mother’s story as SA announces plans to end lion farming

Everyone recognises the importance of the relationship between a mother and her young – regardless of the species.

Charity Animal Defenders International (ADI) is asking everyone to think about the sadness of lion and tiger mothers in circuses, the petting industry and other entertainment where they are treated as breeding machines.

They urge people to think of the young being torn away from their mothers, sometimes even at birth.

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“At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in Free State, we provide a safe home to the survivors of circus and entertainment cruelty and reunite mothers with their offspring,” said Jan Creamer, ADI president.

“Our 40 rescued lions and tigers from South Africa, Colombia, Peru, and Guatemala roam habitats ranging between 2ha (5 acres) and 3ha (7.5 acres), according to the size of family or group; with the shared tiger territory of 6ha (15 acres). We provide them with space to run, freedom of choice and a life as close as possible to the natural life they lost.

“Most of our rescued circus survivors were seized during joint large-scale operations with national governments to enforce prohibitions on animals in circuses.”

He said the ADI welcomes the recent announcement from Barbara Creecy, minister for forestry, fisheries and environment, committing to end the captive lion industry, including the breeding and removal of young from their mothers for petting.

“ADIWS has a strict no breeding policy but is home to several mothers rescued with their young. The tale of lioness Kiara reminds us of the suffering these animals endure, their bravery and loyalty, and her tale has a very happy ending – others are not so lucky.”

Kiara – the miracle rescue

Today, 12-year-old Kiara enjoys her freedom to roam her huge 2.5ha (six acres) habitat at ADIWS with son Scarc (six), daughter Mahla (six), and sister Amazonas (nine).

The rescue of the lioness and her babies was perhaps the most harrowing of ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom in Peru.

Kiara gave birth to three cubs and nursed them in a bare circus cage before Peru’s circus ban came into force. Tragedy struck just weeks before ADI moved in to confiscate the animals when the circus reported that one of the cubs was found hanged.

When ADI, wildlife officials and police arrived to seize the animals in Cusco in the Andes mountains, a tense eight-hour stand-off ensued until, eventually Kiara, the cubs’ father Rey and her sister Amazonas were handed over.

The cubs were, however, cruelly separated from their mother and it would take court action to save the two cubs and another male, Smith. During a 30-hour journey back to the ADI Temporary Rescue Unit (TRU) in Lima, Peru, Kiara constantly wailed for her cubs.

Defying the government, the circus continued to put on shows. In one act, an audience member was invited into the ring with the huge male, Smith, for him to leap over them. Instead, Smith jumped onto the audience member and dragged her around by the neck – her thick padded coat probably saved her life.

The public called for Smith to be killed, but ADI met with government ministers to save Smith and the cubs. Days later, ADI accompanied by wildlife officials, riot police and a SWAT team went back to Cusco and seized them all.

When the truck arrived back at the TRU carrying her cubs, even before the high metal gate was open, Kiara had already got to her feet, staring at the gate. She could sense her cubs through the gate and the heavy travel covers over their crate.

The truck drove in, the covers lifted and the cage with her cubs was lowered, to the excitement of Kiara and both Scarc and Mahla. The cage door was barely open a few inches when the youngsters wriggled through to nuzzle their mother.

A few months later, ADI flew 33 ex-circus lions to a new life in South Africa.

Today, at the ADIWS, Kiara, grown-up Scarc and Mahla, with aunt Amazonas are never far apart in their habitat, whether dozing under the trees or stalking through the long grass, chasing wildlife.

Ever cautious, Kiara always checks out anyone walking by their habitat – usually choosing to head off away from humans, quickly followed by Mahla and Scarc, who always remain close, perhaps making sure they never lose sight of her again.

Creamer said: “Seeing Kiara reunited with her cubs is one of the most moving things I have witnessed in decades of rescues and working for wildlife. The importance of offspring to their mothers is obvious, the stress suffered by a mother when she cannot protect her cubs is extreme and damaging.

“A whole industry has grown which specialises in tormenting these intelligent, sensitive animals just to allow people to cuddle and have their photograph taken with them. The whole business is shameful.

“We are pleased the South African government is taking a stand against this suffering and hope a ban on captive breeding of lions can be implemented as quickly as possible as plans are made to humanely end this cruel industry.”

To adopt Kiara (cite Kiara1 as they have two lionesses called Kiara) visit: https://donate.adiusa.org/adoptalion/

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