José et Lisowere two circus lions who were saved in 2014 by the animal welfareassociation Animal Defenders International (ADI) during a huge rescue mission in Peru and Columbia.
Source: ADI
The two felines were enjoying their newfound freedom at theEmoya Big Cat Sanctuaryin South Africa, finally away from danger and suffering, when they were violently killed by traffickers at the start of June.
Source: Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary
The staff at the sanctuary were completely shocked by the horrific event and posted on their Facebook page:
Dear Emoya Friends. With heavy hearts we graciously and respectfully ask for your patience and sensitivity at this time as we recover from and get to the bottom of the traumatic attack at the sanctuary this week. We have 24-hour security and armed patrols and have taken immediate, added measures to safeguard our big cats and sanctuary.
Animal Defenders International, the association that previously saved the two animals, equally stunned, commented:
This cowardly killing of two innocent souls, sweet, elderly lions, one of whom had suffered brain damage from blows to the head in the circus, must not be left unpunished.
Source: Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary
The two lions had become best friends since arriving at the sanctuary, but sadly only got to spend one year in their new peaceful surroundings. The poachers killed the pair in a particularly brutal manner. They were decapitated, their paws were cut off and they were skinned.The exact reason behind this cruel act is not known, but it is assumed that their body parts will be sold on the black market for profit or used as hunting trophies.This brutal crime is not the first of its kind and follows the execution of Vince, a rhinoceros at a zoo in France in March and also that of Satao II, one of the oldest elephants in the world.
Source: Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary
Despite the pain of losing these beloved animals, the staff at the sanctuary are determined not to be defeated and to get justice for their beloved felines. In another Facebook post, they declared:
We are all heartbroken, but these killers will never break our spirit and the spirit of freedom that ADI has fought so hard for. Because we are also angry. We are not going to take this lying down. We are standing together. Every sanctuary, every conservationist, every friend of ADI and Emoya. Every one of us.
If you would like to support the sanctuary and help them to save countless animals every year, you can make a donation by clicking here. To help Animal Defenders International and put an end to the illegal trafficking that costs thousands of animals their lives every year, you can make a donation by clicking here.
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