I am writing from Israel where, in the sweltering heat, we are making the final preparations to move rescued lions, BenTzur and Ori, to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa.
On Sunday, 2nd August, we will be loading, BenTzur and Ori, and just after midnight Tim and I will be flying from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt, Germany, on the first leg of our marathon journey to Africa. At Frankfurt, we will have a 10-hour stopover before boarding a non-stop, 10.5-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, landing the next day, on 4th August, for the final road trip, 3.5 hours, to the ADIWS.
We will be providing live updates during the journey on ADI’s social media channels.
At the ADIWS, their new life begins. As they drive through the gate, all the residents will know immediately and the lions will look up for the new arrivals, and there may be some roaring of welcome. BenTzur and Ori will be moved into their newly refurbished 2.5 acre habitat, with new 2-room night house with new power supply and heated floors, trees, shrubs, and a large platform for the views with den underneath, a total cost of $42,000 (our thanks to Sharon and Art Barber for sponsoring the new house.
It is winter in South Africa, extremely cold, yellow grass, so we will first settle them into their cosy, heated night house. Next day, they can go out into the feeding camp to taste life under the African sky.
Over their first few days, they will hear and see their lion neighbors, listen to the sanctuary-wide morning and evening roaring songs, and perhaps grow in confidence and learning to join in.
On one side of their new home, across the road, are the habitats of ReyA, Kesari, Coco and Chino. On the other side, are tigers Luna, Sun and Moon, and to the north, is home to white lionesses, Lei-ah and Elsa.
Due to the impact of the war, it was not possible to get any assistance from airlines for a free flight, or other transport costs, so we need your help more than ever – for flights ($40,000), trucks, ground transport, new crates, airport and shipping fees. In addition to covering the cost of the relocation we must raise the funds for BenTzur and Ori’s lifetime care, veterinary, food, care team, and habitat maintenance. One found tied to a tree and another hidden in a house, we can give them 20 years of freedom, where nature intended.
Our target is $100,000 for relocation, construction costs and care. Can you help get us there? Please help bring them home and give them a lifetime in the land of their ancestors.
Jan Creamer 