After months trapped in a war zone, with your help, young lions Ori and BenTzur flew from Israel to South Africa, coming home to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary on August 4.
Seized as small cubs by Israel’s Nature & Parks Authority and police during a crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking over a year ago, they have grown up in a temporary place of safety (pictured) waiting for their new life.
Then it became one piece of bad luck after another for the young lions.
A sanctuary had offered to relocate them and provide a home for life in South Africa but was burned to the ground in a wildfire. Animal Defenders International stepped in to take over the rescue at short notice, but just as things were falling into place the war started between the United States, Iran, and Israel, and suddenly we were in limbo.
Following months of negotiations about the war, there was a way out for the lions.
Costs soared due to rising fuel prices, limited availability of flights and a backlog of cargo. No free flights or discounts available this time. We must raise $100,000 to cover our costs to get them out, for:
- The flights from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt and then to Johannesburg
- Ground handling fees at three airports
- Ground transport Israel, South Africa
- Care team that accompanied the lions on their journey
- Specially built IATA-standard travel crates
- 2.5-acre natural habitat, platforms for the views, dens underneath, new trees
- A contribution towards the lifetime care of the lions (up to 20 more years)
Please help to support these young lions who now have their whole lives ahead of them.
Donate £, Euros, Rand
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