The circus is such a very cruel place for animals.
People may think that lions and tigers (probably tigers as well) performing in circus shows are cruel beasts who are doing well and enjoying their circus lives. Sadly, this is totally wrong. These poor animals have cruel lives which are against their nature.
Recently, an organization called
Animal Defenders International launched the biggest rescue operation ever to rescue some of these animals.
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The organization's small team, led by former Jan Creamer, has been rescuing wild animals from such cruel activity in the entire world since 1990.
Over the past year, Creamer and ADI have saved more than 30 lions from circuses in Peru and Colombia and gradually took care of them till they regained their health.
As Creamer works with the local governments, she and her team investigated the biggest offenders of the countries' wild animal trafficking laws.
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They found 33 lions (and about hundreds of other animals) being kept in bad conditions of severe abuse. Nine of the lions were voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia. Many of the lions were literally starving, with the tips of their toes cut off as a primitive de-clawing method.
The ADI right away provided the big cats with the necessary medical care that they were in a desperate need to receive.
In addition to medical care, these big cats needed love.
Here are some of the amazing animals:
Joseph
Rapunzel
Liso
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The lions needed a home, so ADI co-ordinates with Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa to get them a home.
![liongif6-7b975369ff0553e18f01ff5a19707455](http://petsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/liongif6-7b975369ff0553e18f01ff5a19707455-300x169.gif)
All the rescued animals were released across the Atlantic Ocean toward freedom in late April 2016.
Their journey into freedom is a heartwarming thing to witness after all they have been through, they are finally free.
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Via