This is a great story. Two animal loving celebrities joined forces to help rescue these 25 abused circus lions from Bolivia. Bob Barker and Jorja Fox arranged to help move these lions from a hellish condition. Bolivia has now passed legislation against keeping animals in containment in such conditions as this. The United States needs to pass legislation such as this. A good example of this is Billy the elephant in the LA zoo. He is all alone in concrete confine. This is true testament to what we can do to help animals in horrific situations. Kudos to Bob Barker and Jorja Fox!
Support this cause at Ad-international.org or wildanimalsanctuary.org
P. SOLOMON BANDA,Associated Press
DENVER (AP) - Twenty-five lions, most of them rescued from Bolivian circuses, began their new lives at a Colorado wildlife sanctuary on Thursday, pouncing in large, fenced areas and enjoying the feel of grass on their backs.
The 14 males and 11 females were flown into Denver International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and trucked to the Wildlife Sanctuary in Keenesburg, about 35 miles northeast of Denver.
On Thursday, Denver's KUSA-TV showed lion cubs roughhousing in the background as their mother looked toward the camera, relaxing behind the fence. Other lions, accustomed to being confined to small cages, sprawled on their backs, with their arms and legs in the air like the family dog.
The animals were rescued from deplorable conditions after a law was passed last year in Bolivia prohibiting all performances involving animals, Animal Defenders International said. Most of the lions were dehydrated and suffered from eye and foot infections when rescued, the group has said. David Kopp, chief of wildlife in protected areas in Bolivia's environment ministry, said 24 lions were rescued from circuses, while another former circus lion was saved from a zoo that was being closed down.
The rescue leaves Bolivia with three lions, which are in accredited zoos, he said.
When the lions landed at Denver's airport, the jetliner pulled into a maintenance hangar and police officers armed with assault rifles stood by as a precaution.
Former game show host Bob Barker and actress Jorja Fox of CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," the group's ambassador, were on hand to welcome the airlift, dubbed Operation Lion Ark. Barker, who helped finance the $200,000 effort, said he was excited to see the animals headed to a sanctuary where they will have room to roam.
"They will be the happiest little babies you ever met," he told reporters.
Barker said he hopes someday no circuses will have animal acts.
As the first caged animal was moved off the plane, Barker yelled, "Lion No. 1, come on down," mimicking the way contestants were introduced on "The Price is Right."
While three cubs were in one cage with their mother, the rest traveled in their own cages, accompanied by a veterinarian. Before leaving Santa Cruz, Bolivia, they were given sleep medication.
A 15,000-square-foot biosphere has been built at the sanctuary to help them adjust to Colorado's chillier climate. Once they do, the big cats will be able to roam around 80 acres at the sanctuary, home to about 270 wild animals, including other lions, tigers, bears and wolves.
___
Associated Press writer Sheila V Kumar contributed to this
Reposted by Mickey's Pet Supplies- High quality natural pet supplies, Free Range dog chews, Made in USA rawhides, dog toys, cat toys, Nina Ottosson dog puzzle toys, Herbals, Vitamins and Supplements and lead-free pet bowls.
