After more than a decade confined in a barren circus cage, two lions named Goliath and Coralie are finally heading home.<\/p>\n
Thanks to Animal Defenders International (ADI) and a growing global movement to end wild animal circuses, these majestic animals will soon be roaming free under African skies at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.<\/p>\n
According to a recent release from ADI, Goliath and Coralie were rescued after France\u2019s 2021 law to phase out wild animal performances led to the seizure of animals from non-compliant circuses.<\/p>\n
The pair were found in a travelling show called Cirque Id\u00e9al, confined in a cage on the back of a truck. Despite the circus attempting to go into hiding, authorities tracked them down and transferred the lions to a temporary holding center near St. Etienne.<\/p>\n
Now, they\u2019re about to begin the final leg of their rescue story. On May 20, they will fly from Paris to Johannesburg with Qatar Airways Cargo generously covering their transport.<\/p>\n
Once at the 455-acre ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, the lions will move from a 2.5-acre quarantine space to a sprawling 7.5-acre permanent habitat\u2014an unimaginable upgrade from their previous lives.<\/p>\n
These lions can\u2019t return to the wild due to the trauma and genetic impacts of captivity, but ADI\u2019s sanctuary offers a space to heal and thrive.<\/p>\n
ADI has rescued hundreds of animals through similar missions in Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala, making this another powerful step forward in their global Stop Circus Suffering campaign.<\/p>\n
Help us ensure that animals like Goliath and Coralie never endure such cruelty again\u2014choose compassion, Support sanctuary work, and say no to circus exploitation.<\/p>\n