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Posts tonen met het label Big Cat Sanctuary. Alle posts tonen
Posts tonen met het label Big Cat Sanctuary. Alle posts tonen

zondag 11 januari 2026

Yesterday, a horrific wildfire ripped through Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa’s Western Cape, leaving most of it in ashes.


 https://www.facebook.com/pantheraafricasanctuary

Yesterday, a horrific wildfire ripped through Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa’s Western Cape, leaving most of it in ashes. All 26 of their animals are being carefully monitored due to smoke exposure, and some are in critical condition. They say the sanctuary infrastructure is lost. They have asked ADI for help.

ADIWS will be providing a home for at least two lions and possibly others.

Dr Caldwell has flown down and is treating the animals. ADIWS has offered emergency space for some of Panthera’s residents for as long as they need, and travel crates to help them move other animals to other sanctuaries. Dr Caldwell recommended to Panthera that two nine-year old lionesses, Lei-ah (pictured) and Elsa, should come to ADIWS due to their difficulty with their sight, as we have experience with sight-challenged big cats. They may also need us to take a male tiger.

Our team is en route to the Western Cape, and it will be a 15-hour journey back with Lei-ah and Elsa, and possibly the tiger. We were unable to fly them, or our crates, as the aircraft used for internal flights do not have the cargo capacity for our crates.

We will care for the rescues from Panthera for as long as it takes for them to rebuild (which could be a year or more, depending on damage to infrastructure). Or, they may be with us for life. So, these animals could be with us a long time and we will carry the cost.

Can you help us with these unexpected costs to relocate 2 lions and possibly one tiger to ADIWS in the next 24 hours?


Lei-ah and Elsa are on their way!

January 10, 2026 / Leave a comment

9-year-old female white lions, Lei-ah and Elsa have started their 15-hour road trip from Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary, Western Cape to ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), Free State after being sedated and given a thorough health check by Dr Peter Caldwell. This week, Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary was devastated by a wildfire and fires continue to flare up. The two lions will remain at ADIWS until reconstruction is completed.

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zondag 5 oktober 2025

Years of isolation in a small cage in Romania has left deep scars: Elza's transformation is remarkable she is a graceful lioness enjoying her life in FELIDA




🦁 Love takes time, just like healing from past traumas.



Elza's transformation is remarkable. After her rescue in 2021, she came to @FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary . Her first years in Romania, she was used as a pet, then ended up in a cage. Years of isolation left deep scars on her, both mentally and physically. She displayed many stereotypical behaviors, such as sucking her tail and pacing around her enclosure. But she, and we, didn't give up!💪



Thanks to a great deal of patience, specialized care, and a personalized treatment plan, Elza slowly began to heal. She rediscovered what it means to be a lion.🍀
Now Elza is calm, confident, and doing very well. She no longer exhibits any stereotypical behavior. She's a graceful lioness enjoying her life at FELIDA. And who knows: maybe Gjoni will be part of her next chapter.🐾❤️



📸: © FOUR PAWS | Nadine de Ruiter & FOUR PAWS | Jeanine Noordermeer

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zaterdag 15 maart 2025

Good News!! 10 year anniversary FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary Netherlands: Slovakia bans circuses see the rescue of the last 2 tigers confined to circuswagons



Rescue Tigresses Kenya and Samba

A new beginning for the last circus tigers in Slovakia


Free at last !! 

In October 2024, FOUR PAWS was contacted by Sloboda Zvierat, a Slovakian civil association working for the welfare of animals, to help find a permanent home for originally three female ex-circus tigers. The three female tigers named Kenya, Samba and Princess, belonged to Circus Aleš, a Czech circus that mainly travels and performs in Slovakia.    

Confined to circus wagons for over a year

The exploitation of wild animals in circuses was banned in Slovakia in 2018. As a result, tigers are no longer used in performances, but the circus has still been allowed to keep them. For more than a year, these tigers have been tragically confined to their small circus wagons, with each tiger having approximately 10 square metres of space. Samba and Kenya share a compartment as they get along well, while Princess is kept in a separate compartment. 


Circus wagon where the tigers had to survive in

These unnatural conditions have completely deprived them of the chance to live out their natural instincts and fulfill their basic needs to exercise, roam, and play.

Confined in a circus wagon


FOUR PAWS has agreed to rescue these tigers and take them to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, Netherlands in January 2025. There, they will finally receive the care they deserve and live in a species-appropriate environment. Once these tigers are rehomed, the local authorities will no longer permit circuses with banned animals (including big cats) to enter the country.

At FELIDA, the tigers will be in great company. Earlier this year, we rescued Manuschka, a former circus lioness who was also voluntarily handed over by her circus family. Later this year we also rescued Diego, a lion who was at risk of being sold for hunting, but he is now enjoying life in his forever home.


A new wonderful life

Princess was in a critical condition

Our Wild Animal Rescue & Advocacy team, along with our expert wildlife veterinarians, visited the tigers to assess their health and provide vaccinations, ensuring they can safely travel to the Netherlands. Unfortunately, years of inadequate care has taken a toll on them both physically and emotionally. Princess was severely ill and when our team examined her, she was already in a critical condition. Tragically, we knew that it may already be too late to save her, but worked with veterinary experts to determine the best course of action to help her.

A heartbreaking update

Our expert veterinarians examined Princess under anaesthesia and collected blood samples that were immediately analysed. They also performed ultrasounds and X-rays, and collected a urine sample. The two-hour intense health examination unfortunately revealed several problems including kidney disease and liver disease. Due to the severity of her condition and based on the veterinarians’ expertise and years of experience, they concluded that the kindest option for Princess and her welfare at this stage of her disease would be euthanasia.  

We spoke with the owner, explained the situation, and he agreed to let her go. We also gave him time to say goodbye to Princess. Big cats that are kept in unsuitable conditions often suffer from chronic illness. We are heartbroken as we wanted to bring all three last circus tigers of Slovakia to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. However, we will continue our efforts to bring Kenya and Samba to their new home in the Netherlands in January 2025. Rest in peace dear Princess, you will not be forgotten.

Arrival at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

After a 12-hour drive from Slovakia to the Netherlands, the 14 year old former circus tigers Kenya and Samba have arrived safe and sound at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. They managed the journey wonderfully, with the vet checking on them regularly throughout the night.

Kenya was the first to be released into her indoor enclosure. She immediately began exploring, accepted food from her caretakers, and showed a calm and curious demeanour. Moving her to the neighbouring enclosure was a bit of a challenge – she loved her new space so much she didn’t want to leave! But with gentle encouragement, she eventually made her way over. Kenya is a very brave tigress. She is already grooming, relaxing and even showed the caretakers a belly roll!  


My new life after years of torture in a circus jumping through burning hoops.  

This was their life. The cruelty the animals experience to be forced to jump through burning hoops is horrific


Once Kenya was settled, Samba had her turn. Kenya waited nearby, encouraging Samba to leave the transport crate with little cuffs. When she was out, Samba also accepted food and drank from her water bowl, which are goods signs. However, compared to Kenya, she needs more time to settle in and relax. The team is observing her, and Samba will require their close attention to trust the situation and to be able to calm down.  

For now, Kenya and Samba will stay in their separate indoor enclosures to adapt further. Over the coming days, caretakers will carefully assess their behaviour and health to create tailored care plans that meet their individual needs.

Settling into their new home

Since their arrival at FELIDA, Kenya and Samba have been making great progress, enjoying their warm indoor enclosures and the enrichment activities created by our dedicated caretaker team, with whom they have bonded very well. Samba unfortunately tested positive for internal parasites, so both tigresses had to stay indoors and separated to prevent transmission to each other and the other residents of the sanctuary. We are very pleased to say that the treatment was effective and the lab results came back negative.

After observing more and more positive signs between them, Samba and Kenya could finally take their first steps on the grass, into their new outdoor enclosure at FELIDA! They were a bit cautious at first, but once they crossed that threshold Samba and Kenya’s hesitations vanished and they were ready to explore their beautiful new home. 



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