A Heartwarming Rescue Effort
In a remarkable rescue effort, twelve striking lions have found a new lease on life at AAP Primadomus, a well-regarded animal shelter situated in Villena, Alicante, Spain. This group includes nine charming cubs, aged between three and five months, along with three adults: an 18-year-old male and two females, 10 and 12 years old. After an exhausting 20-hour journey from a struggling circus in western France, these majestic creatures are now settling into a safe environment where they can heal and eventually be matched with caring forever homes.
Challenging Origins and Immediate Needs
These cubs were born under trying conditions. Since December 2023, the breeding, acquisition, or sale of wild animals for circus performances has been outlawed in France. While animal performances remain legal until 2028, the circus that housed these lions had stopped using them for shows and could no longer adequately care for them. There were genuine concerns that the cubs might be sold to fulfill the circus’s financial needs.
Berta Alzaga, part of AAP Primadomus’s communications team, emphasized the importance of this rescue, especially given the absence of similar shelters in France. Upon arrival, the lions were in desperate need of care after spending weeks in unsanitary living conditions. The moment the cubs were reunited with their mothers, a palpable sense of tranquility washed over them, emphasizing the strong bonds of family.
Commitment to Change and Future Prospects
Right now, the priority is to provide the lions with rest and conduct comprehensive health checks. Initial examinations revealed that the cubs were underweight and had not received necessary veterinary care before their rescue. Alarmingly, they also lacked the critical identification microchips, which have now been implanted. The lions will remain in quarantine for at least a month while the dedicated team at the shelter ensures their recovery is carefully managed, isolating them from other animals in the sprawling 4,000-square-meter facility until they are healthy and ready.
This successful rescue effort was a result of collaboration between French authorities and the organization Code Animal, which works in partnership with AAP. Initially, negotiations to obtain the lions faced hurdles due to the circus’s reluctance to cooperate. However, consistent discussions led to an amicable resolution, allowing the animals to be safely relinquished without the need for forceful intervention.
Once veterinarians at AAP Primadomus determine that the lions have fully recovered—in both physical and social aspects—they will be relocated to permanent sanctuaries, accredited zoos, or wildlife reserves. If suitable placements cannot be secured, these lions will continue to live and thrive at the shelter.
AAP Primadomus is committed to raising awareness about the negative consequences of using wild animals as entertainment. Through a comprehensive initiative dubbed *The Darkness Behind the Spotlight*, they discovered that a staggering 89% of rescued exotic animals suffer from mental or physical issues due to their past experiences. Their mission aims to push for improved animal welfare standards and advocate for a complete ban on animal circuses throughout Europe, hoping to prevent the suffering that comes from forcing animals into performance roles and to address regulatory deficiencies that exist in various regions.
In Spain, a significant breakthrough occurred last year with the enactment of Law 07/2023, which protects the rights and welfare of animals by officially banning circuses featuring animals. Before this legislation was implemented, many municipalities had already instituted similar prohibitions, leading to 75% of Spaniards residing in animal-free circus regions.
Through unwavering commitment and teamwork, these lions are embarking on a hopeful new chapter in their lives, and AAP Primadomus continues to be a beacon of change for animals in need.
Source: Elpais
