About this campaign
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Adolescent lions BenTzur and Ori, rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Israel, have stepped out onto the land of their ancestors at the Animal Defenders International (ADI) Wildlife Sanctuary in Free State, South Africa.
The lions had been stranded for months due to the conflict in the middle east, with most flights grounded. Finally, they hitched a ride with the ADI team on a cargo flight from Tel Aviv which took them on a 50-hour journey via Cairo and Frankfurt before landing in Johannesburg.
Over a year ago, the 16-month-old lions were seized as tiny cubs by Israel?s Nature & Parks Authority (NPA) during a crackdown on illegally trafficked animals. The youngsters had been torn from their mothers, when they should have been suckling, in order to be passed around as ?trophy pets? for photos, likes, and shares ? the craze being fueled by social media.
The happy journey?s end, which saw the young lions striding through African grass, exploring and playing, highlights a problem which is reaching epidemic proportions.
Ori was found in the basement of a house and BenTzur was tied to a tree in a backyard, on a short rope. ADI previously rescued six young lions in Kuwait, also trophy pets which had been dumped in the desert to die, or abandoned in the city, tied to lamp posts.
Social media is providing free advertising for a cruel and abusive trade, with accounts identified by ADI of ?influencers? with over 6 million followers, handling exotic animals, normalizing and monetizing animal abuse.
BenTzur and Ori had a lucky escape, and this week made the journey of a lifetime. With very few flights available due to the conflict, they flew from Tel Aviv to Cairo for a 2.5-hour stop over, and then on to Frankfurt, Germany for a 12-hour wait before leaving on their flight to Johannesburg.
ADI founders Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips flew with the lions to monitor them, topping up their water and using tongs to give them small pieces of meat prepared in advance, through a small hole in the crate.
Preparations had been made to account for the young lions arriving from the sweltering heat in Israel to mid-winter in South Africa. They were kept overnight in their heated house and given a light meal. On Wednesday morning came the moment we had all been waiting for, the doors were opened, and BenTzur and Ori stepped out onto the land nature intended, on grass, under the African sky, with sights and sounds of the wild all around them.
The lions have adapted very quickly to their new routine, responding to the voices of their carers, coming into their house to be fed. They have been enjoying toys like giant robust-a-balls and catnip sacks.
The rescue proved to be very expensive, due to months of waiting, the scarcity of flights and escalating costs of aviation fuel, in addition to building a large secure habitat and a brick heated house. ADI is now looking to cover the cost of BenTzur and Ori?s food, veterinary care, and care team for hopefully the next 20 years, and is appealing for support for these young lions who, despite all odds, have come home to Africa.
Due to in-breeding, early-age malnutrition, and associated genetic problems, as well as their close contact with humans, BenTzur and Ori can never return to the wild.
* * Delivery time for international orders can vary depending on the location. Specific date ranges will be provided in a confirmation email once an order is complete.
- US orders arrive 7-14 business days
- Canada: 14-20 business days
- UK: 13-18 business days
- Australia: 17-24 business days
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