Two young lions, Ben-Tzur and Ori, have begun a new life in Africa after being rescued from a challenging environment where they were kept as trophy pets. The lions, separated from their mother shortly after birth, were moved by the British charity Animal Defenders International (ADI) from Israel to ADI's 455-acre sanctuary in South Africa.
The lions were discovered in Israel, one tied to a tree and the other in a basement. Their situation became more precarious due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which complicated their rescue. ADI founders Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips accompanied the lions on a 50-hour journey from Israel to Johannesburg, with transit stops in Cairo and Frankfurt.
"They visibly changed the moment they arrived at our sanctuary and after a first night sleeping on a nest of hay, they walked out of their house and mapped the layout of their territory, and continue to grow in confidence," said Tim Phillips. "The rescue was a very difficult operation because the war regularly closed airspace, leaving no cargo flights leaving Israel."
Ben-Tzur and Ori had become victims of a trend involving exotic animals kept as pets, often showcased on social media for personal gain or as marketing tools. The lions were passed between owners before being confiscated by Israel's Nature and Parks Authority during a crackdown on wildlife trafficking and temporarily housed in a local zoo.
ADI noted the prevalence of online posts featuring wild animals in domestic settings, highlighting the deprivation these animals experience. "These animals are never suited to life in human homes. They are being deprived everything that is natural and pleasurable to them and they are clearly unhappy and damaged, although the selfish people posting seem oblivious to the daily cruelty they are causing," stated Jan Creamer.
The journey to the sanctuary involved feeding and hydrating the lions during transit, with Phillips describing them as calm and relaxed throughout the long trip. Upon arrival in South Africa, the lions were met with roars from other rescued lions and tigers at the sanctuary, a sound that Phillips believes will encourage their natural instincts to awaken.
ADI has previously rescued nearly 40 lions and tigers from entertainment and circuses for their sanctuary. Creamer added that while Ben-Tzur and Ori have a chance for a natural life, many other animals in similar situations may not be as fortunate, urging an end to the trade of wild animals as pets.