By Khalifa Hemed
Published November 6, 2019
Some four lions have been freed from apartments and garages in France and returned to their natural habitat in Africa.
Born Free, a United Kingdom-based wildlife charity, says the Lions of Lyon – four lion cubs rescued from captive conditions – have been released and are now starting their new lives in their ancestral home of Africa.
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The animals, believed to have been taken from their mothers before they were weaned, were each found in different locations across France where they were kept in an apartment, a garage, even a Lamborghini on the Champs-Elysées, Born Free says in a statement to the media.
“No doubt part of Europe’s trade in wild animals–from circuses, zoos and private keeping–they were sold illegally to be pets before being rescued by French wildlife charity, Fondation 30 Million d’Amis,” Born Free, that says it is providing the four cubs named Horus, Thea, Dadou and Cersei with lifetime care at its Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, says.
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The cubs started their journey back to Africa from Tonga Terre d’Accueil wildlife rescue centre near Lyon through London’s Heathrow Airport on October 10, 2019.
“It all went amazingly well. The cubs are relaxed and inquisitive. It was an absolute joy to see them enjoying natural vegetation under their feet for the very first time – the sounds of other lions, the sounds of African wildlife. It was a long journey, and not an easy journey for the lions, but it’s worth it in the end,” says Dr Chris Draper, Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity at Born Free who led the cubs’ relocation.
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“Shamwari is delighted to have been part of the rescue of the four cubs and we are really pleased that they are settling in well to their new home with us,” says Joe Cloete, Group General Manager of Shamwari that has been home to Born Free’s two Big Cat Rescue Centres for more than 20 years. “The care provided by the team at Born Free along with the expert veterinary services provided by our Dr. Johan Joubert, will ensure that they enjoy the best possible life at the sanctuary.”
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