Lions who were brutally abused and forced to perform in South American circuses are rescued

... and will be airlifted back to their African homeland 

• Charity has rescued 33 lions from brutal conditions in circuses in Peru 
• Many had broken claws and teeth with one even suffering sight problems
• They are now being nursed back to health at a sanctuary in the country
• Next month they are set to be airlifted back to their African homeland  

By Jennifer Newton for MailOnline

Published: 7 September 2015 

Lions who were brutally forced to perform in South American circuses are being flown back to their homeland after being rescued from cruel conditions.

A total of 33 lions are set to be taken back to Africa after being subject to years of confinement in cages and in the back of trucks while being part of circuses in Peru and Colombia.

Almost all of the lions have been mutilated to remove their claws, with others suffering broken and smashed teeth and one not having an eye and being left partially blind.

Simba the lion, who has been rescued by an animal rights charity after being subject to harsh conditions in a circus in Peru 

Simba before being rescued. All of the big cats in the circus spent their lives in the confinement of cages and on the back of trucks 

Fellow lion Rey joins Simba in the cage. Animals rights charity Animal Defenders International has rescued a total of 33 lions from cruel conditions

For over a year, animal rights charity Animal Defenders International (ADI) have been working with the Peruvian Government, as well as the police in a bid to stop wild animals being used for performances.

They have now raided 10 circuses across South America with over 30 lions being taken to a sanctuary in Peru.

Now the cats are getting ready to be airlifted to South Africa next month, where they will be taken to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Johannesburg.

Jan Creamer, ADI President, who is leading the rescue mission in Peru, said: 'We are delighted that these lions who have suffered so much will be going home to Africa where they belong.

Lions Bumba and Junior, pictured, were also rescued from a cruel circus in Colombia and are now set to be flown back to their African homeland 

Lioness Rapunzel was taken in by the charity, which raided a total of 10 circuses across South America 

'The climate and environment are perfect for them. When we visited Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary we knew this is a dream come true for ADI and, more importantly, the lions.'

According to rescuers, all of the lions now in their care had been subject to cruelty with one, now called Joseph, being discovered in a Lima Zoo, with no eyesight.

He had spent years being forced to perform circus acts with his captors giving him the nickname 'Blind'.

Lions Joseph, left, and Ricardo, right, who have both lost eyes and suffer sight problems. Joseph spent years being forced to perform in circus acts 

Bumba lies down for a rest after his rescue from a Peru circus. He will eventually be taken to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Johannesburg

He also had a fracture in his lower canine teeth, which had left him sitting in silent agony for years.

Savannah Heuser, founder of Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary added: 'The change that is being offered to these 33 lions will change their entire world. Their lives were forcibly wasted away in horrific tiny cages, the doing of mindless circus acts, I cannot start to comprehend the endless days suffering that these animals had to endure.

'They have a lot of lost time to make up for. They will live out the rest of their lives in a natural habitat, the closest they can ever come to freedom.'

Lioness Amazonas takes a drink from a watering can before being rescued from a cruel circus in South America

In total over ninety animals have been rescued during Operation Spirit of Freedom, with ADI also providing assistance to the Peruvian authorities on the issue of wildlife crime.

More than 50 native wild animals – including bears, six species of monkeys, coati mundis, kinkajous and a puma – have or will soon be relocated to two Amazon sanctuaries as part of a huge construction programme.

The evidence produced by Animal Defenders International has also led to legislation preventing circuses abusing wild animals. The charity plays a key role in ensuring the fair treatment of animals like Joseph. 

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