Washington, D.C. — The Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA have announced that Jora and Black, the two rescued ex-circus lions from Bulgaria, have completed an epic journey of more than 10,500 miles to begin new lives today in their ancestral home of Africa.[teaserbreak]
The two seven-year-old brothers were rescued by Born Free in July this year from a cramped metal beast wagon near Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, assisted by international animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS. Their horrific plight made international headlines.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “Every time we rescue an ill-treated wild animal, forced into unnatural, cruel captivity for years, it is truly a cause for celebration. The story of Jora and Black and their opportunity to live in peace in South Africa is an uplifting one: a testament to the hard work of so many dedicated people, including Born Free staff, and an inspiration that drives us to save more animals in need wherever they sadly languish.”
The lions were flown on Saturday from Bourgas airport to London Gatwick by Thomson Airways. Eagerly awaiting their arrival was the legendary actress and Born Free Foundation Co-Founder, Virginia McKenna OBE, who greeted Jora and Black airside. McKenna said, “It’s fantastic to see the animals have traveled so well. They still have a long way to go but I am really happy that with the generous public support we are able to offer them a wonderful new home with our friends at Shamwari Game Reserve. They deserve no less.”
Jora and Black then traveled by road in an approved quarantine vehicle to London Heathrow. The lions then commenced from Heathrow to Johannesburg. On arrival Sunday in South Africa, they were transported by a convoy of Land Rover Discovery vehicles and trailers to their new home at the Born Free Jean Byrd Education and Rescue Centre, at the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve, just outside of Port Elizabeth, where they were released into a spacious, safe, and enriching natural accommodation, surrounded by the sights and sounds of Africa. Upon release, the brothers greeted each other fondly after exploring the bush for a couple of minutes. They will be enjoying their first meal together at Shamwari this afternoon.
Taken in as small cubs, Jora and Black were originally part of a circus act touring Eastern Europe and Turkey. Following the Bulgarian government’s much-welcomed ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, the lions were left to languish in a stifling beast wagon since the summer of 2014, until their owners agreed to re-home them with Born Free.
With Jora and Black every step of the way was Shamwari Group Head of Wildlife and Veterinarian, Dr. Johan Joubert, and Born Free’s Big Cat Expert, Tony Wiles. Speaking in transit, Wiles said, “The lions are doing really well and we are very happy with their progress. They are traveling well in their crates and we are keeping a close eye on them throughout the journey, with regular health checks and water stops.”
Shamwari, meaning “my friend” in Shona, is the pinnacle of private game reserves. Stretching 25,000 hectares over a malaria-free landscape, it is one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa.
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. The Foundation rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and gives them lifetime care. Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles, and many more species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. The Foundation’s high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers, and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. More at www.bornfree.org.uk.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com