Rescued lions safely relocated to Free State sanctuary after devastating Western Cape fires

After a long and exhausting 18-hour journey from Stanford in the Western Cape to Bethlehem in the Free State, five Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary lions are safe and slowly settling in at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary.

“Our beautiful kings Chaka, Neptune and Oliver are all eating and drinking water, which is a fantastic step forward. It is such a relief to see them responding so well,” Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary said this week.

Special needs cats, Karlos and Ivana, are receiving the specialised care they need. Both are eating and slowly settling.

Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary was forced to evacuate its animals after devastating fires swept through the Overberg area in the Western Cape.

Sadly, the beloved tiger, Rays, did not survive. The combination of massive smoke inhalation and the stress from darting caused severe lung oedema and cardio-respiratory compromise. He went into a coma and died on January 10.

“Remember that all of our big cats have just been through significant trauma and a huge, dramatic change. After experiencing this and long journeys, it is completely expected that they will need time to adjust, with some settling more quickly than others. They have lost their home and are adapting to new environments, new smells, new sights and sounds and a new animal caretaker team. Wild animals are especially sensitive to change, so patience is essential, particularly for those with special needs,” Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary said.

“What matters most is that they are now safe. We can finally rest a little easier knowing they are in excellent hands. Our heartfelt thanks go to Four Paws and the incredible Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary team for taking such wonderful care of our cats.”

Four Paws said before the long trip to the Free State sanctuary, each lion underwent veterinary checks to assess their overall health conditions to prepare them for their long journey ahead. After the long journey, the lions were released into their adaptation enclosures where they will be closely monitored by the dedicated animal caretaker team at Lionsrock.

“Our hearts go out to the Panthera Africa team during this incredibly difficult time,” said Fiona Miles, Director at Four Paws South Africa. “We know how much love and dedication they have poured into the Sanctuary. When they asked for help, we were ready to stand alongside them and ensure these lions have a safe place to recover while their home is being rebuilt.”

Meanwhile, Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary has managed to raise over R800 000 in a backabuddy campaign to cover the costs incurred during the fire. This includes essential firefighting support, emergency veterinary treatment and preparations to relocate the big cats to other sanctuaries across South Africa for their safety.

Cape Times