Re: Animal Rescue from Circus in Guatemala
It just shows how what might be assumed a relatively peaceful operation, doesn't always turn out that way. These rescuers, more often than not , come up against angry vile people .
This update was emailed to me a few hours ago.
" We did it! Today, nine tigers and two lions from another Guatemalan circus are waking up in ADI care along with the three lions we had already moved from another circus. They will never suffer again, and ADI supporters like you helped make it happen.
Circus Ponce agreed to voluntarily surrender the animals to ADI. But In a tense, day long operation, we endured verbal abuse and taunts, a circus worker exposing himself, and theft of our tools. I halted the operation when a screaming circus worker attacked a tiger, he lost his temper with the terrified young tiger who was afraid to move. He stormed off shouting and making crude gestures at me.
Kimba was so stressed and upset by the assault that we covered his cage and let him calm down. Then on veterinary advice sedated him and moved him to his ADI ‘freedom cage’.
With ADI then allowed to oversee the loading of the animals, we continued efficiently luring the animals into cages. It still amazes me the incompetence of circuses in handling animals.
The abuse of Kimba, left with a bleeding paw, hind leg and mouth (thankfully small injuries because we stepped in), was a reminder of the abuse these animals suffer, and the life we are saving them from – never again, Kimba.Joining lions Sasha, Nena and Kimba at the ADI Temporary Custody Centre are lions Tarzan and Tanya and tigers Kimba, Simba, Max, Luna, Jade, Kumani, Sasha and two female cubs of around 4-5 months old, now alone, having been cruelly ripped from their family.
Sadly, the circus refused to hand over 4 tigers, and we also know they concealed two tiny cubs. The authorities will be prosecuting them for breaking the country’s ban on circus animals and ADI will be back. "