Adorable photo's and video of lions Tarzan and Tanya rescued from a circus in Guatemala, devoted to each other the 'wildlife sanctuary sweethearts' have both passed away

Animal Defenders International  ( ADI )

It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you that our dear Tarzan has passed away, a month after his beloved Tanya. The two lions, rescued by ADI from a circus in Guatemala seven years ago, had been inseparable and their devotion to each other won the hearts of people all over the world. They became known as the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary Sweethearts. Relive their incredible journey from a circus cage in Guatemala to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Tarzan had suffered from arthritis for a very long time, however thanks to Dr. Peter Caldwell, this had been managed and as recently as April, Tarzan and Tanya were enjoying the best days of their lives. In May, Tarzan’s health began to deteriorate further. Dr. Caldwell adapted his pain medications and continued to update them in subsequent months. A number of measures were taken to make Tarzan more comfortable, including heating and a raised floor in Tarzan and Tanya’s outdoor den. Many of us feared Tarzan may be the first to pass, and worried how this would affect Tanya. But Tarzan slowly bounced back, nursed by Tanya, and they roamed their beautiful habitat together again. However, Tanya’s health then rapidly deteriorated. It was as if once Tarzan was up on his feet again, she let go. She passed away in August, from cancer. Tarzan clearly missed his soul mate but seemed to be coping. As part of the grief protocols, he enjoyed the extra treats (especially his ice lollies made of blood and water), and special attention, and he continued to slowly wander around his habitat and lie beneath the trees in his favourite spots. The lions either side of him, David, Shujaa and Saham, seemed to mark Tanya’s passing, roaring and Tarzan would roar back loudly. He had good days and bad days, but when Tarzan stopped taking his meds, was eating less, slowing down and becoming more uncomfortable, we felt the end was near. It was time to let him go, so Dr. Caldwell came to the sanctuary. Tarzan passed away peacefully in the place that he loved and had such happy times with Tanya, surrounded by love with the ADIWS team gathered to say goodbye. As he passed there was a loud clap of thunder over the sanctuary, which some of the team said must surely be Tanya, welcoming him back. The sanctuary is mourning the loss of these two inspirational warriors. Tarzan and Tanya’s loyalty and devotion helped them through the hell of the circus and saw them come home to Africa to enjoy their golden years in peace, in their native homeland. We hope that you will fondly remember the life that you helped to give Tarzan, alongside his Tanya, in their native homeland for seven precious years.