This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36157483
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rescued circus lions from Colombia and Peru flown to South Africa | |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| More than 30 lions rescued from circuses in Colombia and Peru have been flown to South Africa to start a new life in a sanctuary. | |
| 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. |
| The lions will be transferred by land to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary. | |
| "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. |