Animal Welfare South Africa Project #51392

Give Four Former Circus Lions A Sanctuary Home

by Born Free Foundation

Give Four Former Circus Lions A Sanctuary Home

Project Report | Jun 22, 2022
June 2022 Update: Learning to be Lions

By Victoria Lockwood | Project Leader

The 'Lions of Lockdown' enjoying their new home!

June 2022 Update: Learning to be Lions

Thank you for choosing to support Born Free’s work to give four former circus lions a sanctuary forever home.

We have an exciting new report to share from our Animal Care Manager at Shamwari, Glen Vena, who has been carefully monitoring our lions since they arrived at their new home in February.

Glen says: “Seeing our Lions of Lockdown thriving in their new home is just amazing! Each month is different as the seasons change here in the southern hemisphere – it must be an experience in itself for these four, who were all captive-born in France. Coming to Africa means their environment changed dramatically – I’m sure they’ve never experienced so much space or privacy before. It’s all very new to them.

“The three lionesses - Angela, Bellone, Saida and male lion Louga all love their food and are learning there is always enough for everyone. Sometimes there can be squabbles at feeding time but we have noted that, if a certain hierarchy is followed, there will be no problems – so we make sure Saida gets first pick, followed by Louga, then Bellone and finally Angela. In addition, we have been making use of our smaller ‘hospital camps’ and night houses to separate the cats and make sure all of them get the good food they need.

“However, generally, the lions are so sweet and, as you can see, love being around each other, enjoying each other’s company. As I explained to my colleagues when the lions first arrived, I suspected that Louga might have to ‘dig deep’ to be the King of the group. Thus far we definitely have a Queen in charge, and Louga seems to be fine with this hierarchy for now!

“In short, the Lions of Lockdown are doing great, and can now start to behave like real lions – an opportunity they were mostly deprived of for many years. It is wonderful to know that, with your help, Born Free’s team is making a huge difference to their lives here as the four gradually work out their roles within their little pride.”

We still need YOUR help to raise vital funds to support the four lions’ lifetime care at our sanctuary, and give them the nutritious food, veterinary treatment, and enrichment they deserve – will you continue your support with a gift today?”

Thank you so much from the Born Free team.

Playing together in the sun

Finding their feet and adapting...

Learning natural 'lion' behaviours

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Lions of Lockdown

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Feb 23, 2022
They're home! Can you help provide lifetime care?

By Victoria Lockwood | Project Leader

Release from the travelling crate (c) B Louwrens

Thank you for choosing to support our work to give four former circus lions a sanctuary home.

We have great news to report! After nearly four years being cared for by our friends at Tonga Terre d’Accueil in France, whilst the COVID-19 pandemic prevented global travel, and an eight-thousand-mile journey, our ‘Lions of Lockdown’ have finally reached the safety of their forever home at our sanctuary in South Africa!

Sold as young cubs, Angela, Bellone, Saïda and Louga were all removed from a French circus in 2018 after their owner relinquished them. In early 2019, Born Free became aware of the lions and their heart-breaking story, and promised to give them a forever home at their big cat sanctuary at Shamwari, in South Africa.

Generous Born Free supporters raised the funds to transport the lions to their ancestral homeland. Preparations were made, special crates built, permits obtained and flights booked. And then COVID-19 struck a brutal blow to the plans - travel restrictions meant the whole move had to be put on hold indefinitely. And so, like so many of us affected by the impact of the pandemic, these magnificent ‘Lions of Lockdown’ have been forced to wait for the journey that will transform their lives. And we are delighted to report that they have now arrived safely in their ancestral homeland!

Their great adventure began on 8^th February when they travelled by road from Lyon, to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, before departing by air for South Africa. All four lions were remarkably calm and relaxed during their journey, and when they reached their final destination, Born Free’s Big Cat sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the team were delighted to see them all emerge confidently and enthusiastically from their travelling crates, and start to explore the native landscape of their 3-acre enclosure.

Since their arrival at our sanctuary, the Lions of Lockdown are acclimatising to their new surroundings, and absolutely thriving! Angela, Bellone and Saïda, have been staying close together, sheltering from the heat of the day under shady trees. Louga has been spending quite a bit of time in the cool of his night house but comes out to check on the girls every now and again!

They have been cautiously exploring their three acre, natural enclosure, filled with native grasses and shrubs, and all four enjoyed a delicious feast of fresh chicken once they had recovered from their journey.

Finally home, we still need YOUR help to raise vital funds to support their lifetime care at the sanctuary, and give them the nutritious food, veterinary treatment, and enrichment they need – will you continue your support with a gift today?”

Thank you so much from the Born Free team.

Settling in at Shamwari (c) Shamwari

Arrival at Shamwari (c) Brad Louwrens

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Oct 27, 2021
Oct 2021: Revised travel plans underway for lions

By Victoria Lockwood | Project Leader

Belllone and Angela (C) Tonga Terre d'Accueil

Thank you for choosing to support our work to give four former circus lions a sanctuary home.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for our rescue and relocation work this year, as countries around the world experienced lockdowns and travel restrictions. Despite this, we’ve been working hard to finalise arrangements for Angela, Bellone, Louga and Saïda’s move to their new sanctuary home in South Africa.

The four lions had a difficult start to life, living and performing in a travelling circus in France before they were surrendered by their owner. Since then, they have been living happily together at a temporary home at French animal rescue centre, Tonga Terre d’Accueil, until they can be relocated to the safety of their new home at Shamwari, home to Born Free’s big cat sanctuary in South Africa.

Unfortunately, earlier this year their relocation from France to South Africa was prevented by travel restrictions, but as flights to South Africa start opening up again, we are working hard to secure their flights, reorganise and re-apply for all the necessary permits and paperwork and finally move them to their new home as soon as possible.

Shamwari is already home to 12 lions and four leopards rescued from circuses, zoos and private owners around the world, including Ciam, who was rescued from a cage in a garden in southern France where he was being kept illegally as a pet, and Maggie, who was confiscated from a circus in Germany with her sister Sonja, where they had been living in a cramped trailer. For many of the cats, arriving at Shamwari is the first time they have felt grass under their paws or had the freedom to run around! Whatever their circumstances, they soon adapt to their new life and start to enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa, and final preparations are now being made by the specialist Shamwari team, to welcome the four new arrivals.

We look forward to sharing the good news that Angela, Bellone, Louga and Saïda have arrived at their forever home as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your continued support.

Louga (C) Tonga Terre d'Accueil

Ciam at Shamwari

Ciam's first steps on African soil (c) Born Free

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