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| Rescued circus lions from Colombia and Peru flown to South Africa | Rescued circus lions from Colombia and Peru flown to South Africa |
| (about 9 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. | 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. |
| Reporters said they appeared a little distressed but healthy after their long journey. | |
| A circus surrendered some of the lions, while others were seized in raids. | |
| The US-based group Animal Defenders International (ADI), which was behind the action, says almost all the lions have had teeth or claws removed. | The US-based group Animal Defenders International (ADI), which was behind the action, says almost all the lions have had teeth or claws removed. |
| They would not survive in the wild. | They would not survive in the wild. |
| The lions are being transferred by land to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, a 5,000-hectare reserve in northern South Africa. There, the lions will have drinking pools, platforms, toys and veterinary care. | The lions are being transferred by land to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, a 5,000-hectare reserve in northern South Africa. There, the lions will have drinking pools, platforms, toys and veterinary care. |
| "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. |
| "These lions have suffered tremendously." | "These lions have suffered tremendously." |
| 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. |
| "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. |
| The 5,000-hectare (12,355 acres) Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary is on private land and already houses six other rescued lions and two tigers. | The 5,000-hectare (12,355 acres) Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary is on private land and already houses six other rescued lions and two tigers. |
| The lion habitats there would be steadily expanded over the coming months as the lions became familiar with their new life and were introduced to each other, said ADI. | The lion habitats there would be steadily expanded over the coming months as the lions became familiar with their new life and were introduced to each other, said ADI. |