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can you help get these lion cubs back to africa?

French authorities have rescued four cubs known as the Lions of Lyon, and with your support, Born Free wants to rehome them in South Africa



Written by Jake Shoolheifer

Horus, Kuuma, Dadou and a still to be named 'Girl' are all only a few months old. Taken from their mothers before they were weaned, they were found in terrible suffering – battling the pain of glaucoma, extreme hair loss, skin irritations and diarrhoea.

They were discovered in captive conditions no animal should ever be subjected to – an apartment, a garage, even a Lamborghini on the Champs-Élysées. This is because they were part of Europe's trade in wild animals; from circuses, zoos and private keeping.

An increasing number of wild animals are kept in shockingly deprived conditions. They can come from many different sources. Some animals may be bred in captivity, some may be traded as surplus from zoos and circuses, while others are caught from the wild. There's no way of knowing where these four little cubs originally came from, but Born Free knows it can give them a better future.

Born Free opposes the keeping of, and the associated trade in live animals. Wild animals, whether they are caught from the wild or born in captivity, have complex needs that cannot be met by private keepers in a domestic environment. By donating to the Lions of Lyon campaign, you’ll be helping Born Free get all four cubs to its big cat sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa. Any additional funds will go towards the lifetime care of the cubs and the work at Shamwari.

meet the cubs

horus
Horus is the largest of the four cubs and is about seven months old. He was found in reasonably good health on a child's bed in an apartment on the outskirts of Paris. His owner, who was hiding in a neighbour's cupboard when Horus was found, had posted images of the cub on the social media app Snapchat. He was sentenced to six months in prison for illegally keeping a wild animal.
kuuma
Kuuma was found on the same day as Horus in a garage in Marseille. She was very unwell and underweight, with a skin irritation, dull coat, gastrointestinal problems and corneal ulcers. Now thought to be about seven months old, Kuuma has since recovered, but her eyes are being carefully monitored. Her owner has been prosecuted and the case is waiting to go to court.
dadou
Dadou was found on Paris' most famous street - the Champs-Élysées - in the back of a green Lamborghini. His owner was caught by police officers taking photos with the cub. Dadou, who is missing the tip of his tail, is also thought to be about seven months old. When he was found, he had weak hind legs, but has now recovered. Dadou's case is waiting to go to court.
'Girl'
'Girl' is the smallest and youngest of the cubs, at about five months old. She was surrendered by her owner. She was very unwell – she had glaucoma, and was under-developed and underweight, with extreme hair loss and diarrhoea. 'Girl' is now doing much better. Her hair has grown back and she is slowly gaining weight. Her case is ongoing.

About Born Free’s
big cat sanctuary


Horus, Kuuma, Dadou and ‘Girl’ are all currently in a temporary home in Lyon, France. But Born Free wants to give them all a permanent home at its big cat sanctuary in Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa, where lions and leopards rescued from appalling captive conditions around the world now live.

They have come to Shamwari from zoos and circuses, or from private homes where they were kept as pets. Because they would be unable to fend for themselves if released into the wild, they are given expert lifetime care in a spacious, safe and natural environment.

All the big cats in Born Free's care highlight the plight of captive animals worldwide. The charity will continue to campaign to Keep Wildlife in the Wild until big cat sanctuaries like Shamwari are no longer needed.