Simon Bloch
DURBAN: Thanks to the collective efforts of the Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) and the support of lion-protection advocates worldwide, the arrival of two rescued lion cubs at OR Tambo International Airport today marks a giant leap of faith in the fight against the captive lion industry.
The cubs were confiscated in Europe through the intervention of Linda Park, local director of CACH, and her organisation’s colleagues in Spain, CJ and Luis Munoz.
Dangerously underweight and seriously ill from being held captive in miserable conditions, Yame and George, both males, were victims of an illegal but still-flourishing practice – they had been sold without permits by a travelling circus owner to a Spanish woman, whose business was much like South African cub-petting sanctuaries that have recently come under fire.
“Bringing them back here they will serve as a beacon of light for all lions in captivity,” said Park.
The cubs will be released into the care of internationally acclaimed Lion Whisperer Kevin Richardson.