Central SA
Two circus lions find home at Winburg animal sanctuary─── ZENANDE MPAME 08:43 Fri, 23 May 2025
Two circus lions have started to make new memories in South Africa after they were rescued from lifelong captivity in a French circus.
The duo was released at the Animal Defenders International Wildlife Sanctuary in Winburg on Thursday (22/5) after they were rescued from a circus cage on the back of a truck. They had been touring France for decades.
Coralie (13) and Goliath (11) arrived at the sanctuary on Wednesday evening (21/5), and they were released into their new habitats on Thursday. “My first impression of the pair of them was just how dignified and beautiful they are,” said ADI President and co-founder Jan Creamer.
“Goliath has already announced his presence to the rest of the boys, and they all know he’s here. Our lions communicate all the time, and they’re talking all the time, so to put them in a circus like that and treat them like a toy, it’s degrading.”
“I think the most important thing that Goliath and Coralie need now is support and donations, to keep them alive. People can also adopt them on our website, which means you pay a little each month to help feed and care for them.”
There are the veterinary bills, the food, but also the enrichment. So we use catnip as added enrichment, and they love it, it makes them excited, she said.
Home to over 30 big cats
The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary is home to over 30 big cats and many other rescued animals. They also have antelopes, chickens, donkeys, ducks, geese, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, and all sorts of animals that have been rescued.
The process of getting the animals to South Africa takes months and months of planning. “Just simply securing a flight is complex and challenging. We were very lucky to get a cargo flight from Qatar Airways,” said ADI vice president and co-founder Tim Phillips.
The founders of ADI Tim Phillips and Jan Creamer. Photo: Zenande Mpame
“When we get to the airports, there is also the process of loading them, unloading them, moving them, and looking after them when they change flights, which was huge for us.”
“But the other work that’s going in is so much of the paperwork, these are endangered species we’re moving around. So there’s a lot of regulation, a lot of paperwork, and we have to begin all of the vaccinations and health certificates.”
Coralie enjoying the sun. Photo: Zenande Mpame
“We are an organisation where most of the work we do is funded by ordinary people; they can’t give us thousands and thousands of dollars.”
Caring people give a little bit when they can, and that makes a big difference. The donations also don’t cost much, and they make a massive difference to us, he said.
