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Johannesburg - A group of 33 lions, rescued from ten circuses in Peru and Colombia, will be relocated to a sanctuary in Limpopo next month.
"Almost all of the rescued lions have been mutilated to remove their claws, one has lost an eye, another is almost blind, and many have smashed and broken teeth because of their circus life, but they will retire in the African sunshine," said Animal Defenders International (ADI) in a statement on Tuesday.
The lions endured years of confinement in cages on the backs of trucks.
They will be relocated to 5 000ha Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Limpopo in October. Nine of the lions are coming from Colombia, while 24 lions are from Peru.
"ADI is chartering a Boeing 747 to transport all 33 lions with an ADI veterinary team, direct from Lima to Johannesburg and is funding the construction of habitats for the lions at Emoya, ready for the arrival of the lions in late October."
Rapunzel waits in her cage. (File, ADI)
Rescued lion Joseph. (File, ADI)
A pair of lions from Colombia that will be relocated to SA. (File, ADI)
The lion rescue begins in Hural. (File, ADI)
Kiara reunites with cubs Scar and Mahla. (File, ADI)
Smith, who attacked a teacher, plays with a tyre. (File, ADI)
Rescued lioness Kala plays with a burst ball. (File, ADI)
