What happens after a big cat is rescued from the illegal wildlife trade or other circumstances in which intervention becomes the mission? This World Wildlife Day, FOUR PAWS fills us in on the work that goes into making these animals’ next chapters happy ones.
Global (03 March 2025) — This World Wildlife Day, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is taking us behind the scenes and into their world.
While much of the organisations’ work has to do with rescuing big cats and other animals that have gotten caught up in the illegal wildlife trade or other circumstances in which intervention is imperative, a big chunk of their efforts are all about caring for the animals after a mission success.
With 13 animal sanctuaries and partner projects around the globe, FOUR PAWS has a presence all over the world. In South Africa, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary alone is home to over 100 rescued big cats!
A New Home and A New Life
When the long road to a rescue finally clears (negotiations with former owners, paperwork, and many other “potholes”), an animal gets the green light to arrive at a sanctuary. This arrival marks both a new home and a new life for animals that have endured the roughest roads to freedom.
Here, their healing and lifelong care measures start. Their homes need to meet certain parameters to be considered species-appropriate before move-in day, and just as it is when neighbours welcome newbies to an area, socialisation is key for certain animals. In some cases, socialisation efforts led to animals coupling up!
Medical Manoeuvres
It’s not quite as simple as simply moving into a sanctuary and calling it a day. Routine medical procedures are common at the sanctuaries, like a recent sterilisation marathon for several rescued lionesses.
Wildlife veterinarians recently pulled out all the stops at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife in Jordan, run in cooperation with the Princess Alia Foundation, to ensure that seven lionesses were sterilised!
“The strong resilience of the lionesses who went through the misery of war in Gaza and Syria has been demonstrated once again. In the last four days we were able to successfully perform intensive medical interventions on a total of seven animals to prevent uterine inflammation – a vital procedure for older lionesses.
“Today, all patients are well and ready for a treat after the exhausting surgical marathon. The experienced team of Al Ma’wa together with their dedicated veterinarian will now take care of the animals until they are fully recovered,” says FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Khalil.
Dental Days
No one enjoys toothache. And for big cats, a toothache is a serious challenge as it directly impacts their overall well-being and quality of life.
Recently, tooth extractions and root canal procedures were carried out on lion Lubumbashi and lionesses Zendaya, Dandi and Sheeba at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary here in South Africa.
For big cats, root canal treatment is a more complex procedure that saves the teeth and is not uncommon, especially for fractured canine teeth.
Mental Health Matters
Care from wildlife warriors, as well as enriching amenities, play an important role in ensuring the stable mental state of the animals, which is just as important as their physical health.
Because many are rescued from traumatic situations (conflict, confinement, neglect and abuse), the focus on mental health is also a big part of the healing process.
A Few Words on World Wildlife Day
Every year, UN World Wildlife Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
FOUR PAWS CEO and President Josef Pfabigan shares:
“Today’s World Wildlife Day is about recognising the rich diversity of wildlife species and highlighting the need to protect them. The inappropriate and often illegal private keeping conditions of big cats, bears and other wild animals born in captivity or captured in their habitat are at the centre of FOUR PAWS’ work.
“On behalf of the organisation, our global network, and all animal lovers, I would like to thank all animal caretakers around the world for the invaluable work they do every day. Together we will continue to fight for a ban on the private keeping of wild animals and an effective improvement in their welfare.”
Sources: Supplied
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