Death of 2 lions a devastating blow to sanctuary
Two of the thirty-three lions which were rescued by Animal Defenders International (ADI) during Operation Spirit of Freedom have sadly passed away.
LIMPOPO – This announcement was made by ADI on their website last week.
Tragic News – two of our rescued lions struck down by toxin https://t.co/0NEREXzuir pic.twitter.com/JQ6v18kGt6
— ADI (@AnimalDefenders) June 3, 2016
“It is with great sadness that Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary and Animal Defenders International announce the passing away of Rapunzel and Kala.”
Four lions, Rapunzel, Kala, Coco and Junior in the Colombian pride were struck down by a botulism toxin – this was a naturally occurring toxin, that most lions are resistant too, and if infected are usually successfully treated, however, Kala and Rapunzel were for whatever reason from their past (be it genetics and in-breeding, their disease or life history) were especially susceptible.
Coco and Junior returned to the sanctuary on 3 June.
Brothers reunited. Coco rejoins his brothers Rolex and Chinohttps://t.co/DoPhLJJNmB pic.twitter.com/KCODPQoO7I
— ADI (@AnimalDefenders) June 5, 2016
“Both lionesses had been rescued by ADI early in Operation Spirit of Freedom, and so had been in our care since 2014. The past 20 months were the happiest of their lives. Both took to life at Emoya with the most inspiring enthusiasm – they would joyfully run, play with catnip bags and swing their tires from trees, which makes this news so very sad. We treasure every minute of happiness we have given the lions at Emoya and every day of freedom is precious for them, even if for now, we are all heartbroken that their days in the sun were so few.
The death of these lovely lionesses, who loved their new home at Emoya so much, has come as a devastating blow to the whole team.”
Remembering Kala, pictured here at ADI Rescue Center in Peru with her favorite accessory! https://t.co/G6LvfqAOAn pic.twitter.com/XakKeA4khb
— ADI (@AnimalDefenders) June 6, 2016
