Two former circus lions the Born Free Foundation rescued from Bulgaria were successfully released at the Shamwari Game Reserve‚ 75km outside Port Elizabeth‚ yesterday.
Jora and Black’s epic journey took them more than 16000km‚ via the UK‚ and concluded on Sunday with their arrival at their overnight camp before final release on Monday morning.
Born Free Foundation said the two eight-year-old lions left from a halfway house in central Bulgaria for Bourgas Airport on the Black Sea coast late on Friday.
“From there they were flown to London’s Gatwick Airport where legendary actress and Born Free co-founder‚ Virginia McKenna‚ was waiting to give them a warm welcome.”
McKenna said‚ “Born Free has successfully moved many captive animals but each occasion is unique.
“I hope their story will inspire people to treat wild animals with respect and understanding‚ and never subject them to totally inappropriate existences in captivity.”
Jora and Black then travelled to London’s Heathrow Airport where they were prepared for flight to Johannesburg International Airport.
Coronation Street actress Helen Worth‚ who launched the successful appeal for Jora and Black’s rescue in July‚ took the opportunity to wish the brothers a fond farewell.
“It is so exciting to see Jora and Black on the move to their wonderful new home. I love Shamwari Game Reserve and I know they will have a lovely home there‚” she said.
After landing in Johannesburg‚ Jora and Black were transported by road. Shamwari Group head of wildlife and veterinarian‚ Dr Johan Joubert‚ and Born Free’s Big Cat Specialist‚ Tony Wiles‚ travelled with the two lions throughout their journey‚ making regular health checks.
The brothers were originally part of a circus act touring Eastern Europe and Turkey.
Following the Bulgarian government’s ban on the use of wild mammals in circuses‚ the lions were left to languish in a stifling beast wagon since the summer of 2014‚ until the owners agreed to rehome them with Born Free. — RDM News Wire
Bulgarian circus lions ‘home’ in E Cape
Jora and Black’s epic journey took them more than 16000km‚ via the UK‚ and concluded on Sunday with their arrival at their overnight camp before final release on Monday morning.
Born Free Foundation said the two eight-year-old lions left from a halfway house in central Bulgaria for Bourgas Airport on the Black Sea coast late on Friday.
“From there they were flown to London’s Gatwick Airport where legendary actress and Born Free co-founder‚ Virginia McKenna‚ was waiting to give them a warm welcome.”
McKenna said‚ “Born Free has successfully moved many captive animals but each occasion is unique.
“I hope their story will inspire people to treat wild animals with respect and understanding‚ and never subject them to totally inappropriate existences in captivity.”
Jora and Black then travelled to London’s Heathrow Airport where they were prepared for flight to Johannesburg International Airport.
Coronation Street actress Helen Worth‚ who launched the successful appeal for Jora and Black’s rescue in July‚ took the opportunity to wish the brothers a fond farewell.
“It is so exciting to see Jora and Black on the move to their wonderful new home. I love Shamwari Game Reserve and I know they will have a lovely home there‚” she said.
After landing in Johannesburg‚ Jora and Black were transported by road. Shamwari Group head of wildlife and veterinarian‚ Dr Johan Joubert‚ and Born Free’s Big Cat Specialist‚ Tony Wiles‚ travelled with the two lions throughout their journey‚ making regular health checks.
The brothers were originally part of a circus act touring Eastern Europe and Turkey.
Following the Bulgarian government’s ban on the use of wild mammals in circuses‚ the lions were left to languish in a stifling beast wagon since the summer of 2014‚ until the owners agreed to rehome them with Born Free. — RDM News Wire
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