The Born Free foundation rescued two captive lions, one 3 years old and the other 17 years old. Both have been returned to South Africa to live in freedom.
The Born Free foundation works to have animals kept in captivity rehabilitated and released. The animals are released into sanctuaries where they can be free to roam.
Recently the foundation brought to captive lions and freed them into their motherland of South Africa.
Nelson and Ciam traveled from their temporary home in Belgium – via Germany – to Port Elizabeth, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, where they were this morning introduced into their spacious, safe and enriching accommodation at the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve.
Nelson is a 17 year old lion that was living at a French Zoo. He was confiscated and put into a two year rehabilitation programme where he was brought back to his natural health.
Ciam is 3 years old and was bought from a terrible circus by someone who kept him illegally in his back yard.
“We, here at Shamwari Game Reserve are very proud to continue our close working relationship with Born Free, which now marks 20 years, and to be a part of not only supporting this great work, but also raising awareness of the plight of many big cats worldwide.” – Joe Cloete, Shamwari Game Reserve, Group General Manager
Nelson and Ciam will both have very fulfilling natural lives. They are living in a safe and natural environment from which they both originate. Below is an image of Nelson and above is Ciam.
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