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| Rescued circus lions in Colombia and Peru fly to South Africa | Rescued circus lions in Colombia and Peru fly to South Africa |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 30 lions rescued from circuses in Colombia and Peru are being flown to a sanctuary in South Africa. | |
| The group organising the return, Animal Defenders International (ADI), says it is the largest airlift of lions. | The group organising the return, Animal Defenders International (ADI), says it is the largest airlift of lions. |
| The US-based group says almost all of the animals have been mutilated in captivity: some are declawed and have broken teeth, and one has lost an eye. | The US-based group says almost all of the animals have been mutilated in captivity: some are declawed and have broken teeth, and one has lost an eye. |
| In South Africa, the lions will be released at the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, the organisers say. | In South Africa, the lions will be released at the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, the organisers say. |
| "This is a hugely important rescue mission because it does make a statement around the world about the way people treat animals," ADI spokeswoman Jan Creamer said. | "This is a hugely important rescue mission because it does make a statement around the world about the way people treat animals," ADI spokeswoman Jan Creamer said. |
| The first group of nine lions was collected in Colombia's capital Bogota on a cargo plane, which then flew to Peru's capital Lima to pick up 24 more animals. | The first group of nine lions was collected in Colombia's capital Bogota on a cargo plane, which then flew to Peru's capital Lima to pick up 24 more animals. |
| The plane is now heading to Johannesburg in South Africa, and is due to arrive on Saturday. | The plane is now heading to Johannesburg in South Africa, and is due to arrive on Saturday. |
| "It will be hugely satisfying to see these lions walking into the African Bush," ADI Vice-President Tom Phillips was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency. | "It will be hugely satisfying to see these lions walking into the African Bush," ADI Vice-President Tom Phillips was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency. |
| The lions were freed after the use of wild animals was banned in Peru in 2011 and Colombia in 2013. | The lions were freed after the use of wild animals was banned in Peru in 2011 and Colombia in 2013. |