Lilongwe, Malawi - A lion named Simba has finally returned to Africa after enduring eight years of heart-breaking animal cruelty in Europe.
The nine-year-old lion travelled 7 840km from Belgium to Malawi, where he will live at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre on his home continent.
At just eight months old, Simba was taken from the Parc Zoologique du Bouy in France by an animal trainer in Vernay and kept in a lorry trailer, known as “the beast wagon”, where he had little access to an outdoor run.
At the end of 2012, thanks to a concerted effort by Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis, a French non-government organisation, he was rescued and temporary shelter was found at the Natuurhulpcentrum, a Belgian wildlife rescue centre.
Simba’s new home, a 180-hectare wildlife reserve, will be a stark contrast to the poor conditions he is used to – he will be free to roam wild.
There, Simba will be introduced to Bella, a one-eyed lioness rescued from a Romanian zoo five years ago.
The mission to bring Simba back to Africa was carried out in association with Land-Rover and the Born Free Foundation, and it is hoped it will be a roaring success.
The founder of the animal rescue organisation and star of the 1966 classic Born Free, Virginia McKenna, said: “I am fortunate to be accompanying Simba to his new home, where I know he will be beautifully cared for, living the rest of his life in a natural bush enclosure.”
Simba was put on a Kenya Airways aircraft to Nairobi. He was transported to Malawi in an escorted convoy of six vehicles.
McKenna said she hoped the journey would have a happy ending. “The public’s generous response to his situation has been amazing,” she said.
Kenya Airways group managing director Titus Naikuni said: “Wildlife is our heritage. Its conservation is the responsibility of all of us.
“This is an amazing example of how we can connect across the globe to protect endangered wildlife for their return and long-term survival in their natural habitats.” – Daily Mail