“An injured lion still wants to roar.” – Randy Pausch

It doesn’t matter who you are, freedom is the one thing we all long for. The open skies, grass under our feet and the ability to roam where we want. It doesn’t matter if you are human, or a lion.

So, when a group of lions that had been illegally trafficked and then forced to live as someone’s pets grew too large to take care of, they were dumped on the empty streets of Kuwait. The desert surrounded them, and they had nearly no hope of survival. But staff at the Kuwait Zoo heard about the lions, and raced to help save them.

After they were rescued, Animal Defenders International (ADI), came up with a plan to get them to safety, and finally, freedom.

Lions should never be kept as pets; they are wild animals,” said Jan Creamer, ADI president.

The six lions, now known as the “Kuwait 6”, were going to be transported to a 455 – acre sanctuary at an ADI facility in South Africa. Qatar Airways Cargo agreed to fly them to their new home. “It takes a lot of effort and logistics for our team to organize moving such large animals, but it is something we are all collectively very proud and passionate to be a part of,” said Mark Drusch, chief cargo officer at Qatar Airways Cargo.

The lions, Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, Saif, Dhubiya and Aziza, were carefully watched over during their flight to their new home. After arrival, each were given their own quarantine area to explore. While most of the lions quickly embraced their new home, Muheeb struggled. The lion was withdrawn, the usual fierceness attributed to the king of the forest missing. He stayed huddled in a corner, ADI said.

But all that changed when Muheeb heard the clanking of the gate, as it opened and in front of him was a freedom he’d never experienced. In a now viral video, the huge lion flinches before easing his head out into the enclosure. His face shows how unsure he is, but as he makes his way onto the grass, suddenly the timid lion disappears. Stretching, Muheeb made his way over to a wooden platform, where he stretched and rubbed against, letting his claws scrape the wood. Freedom, it seemed, was all this lion needed.

Muheeb plays with a catnip toy. Photo courtesy of ADI

Now, all six cats spend their days playing, laying in the sun, enjoying catnip punch bags and toys. The joy they feel makes everything worth it, Creamer said. “Seeing these lions playing as they start their new lives at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary is magical, and we are excited to see them start to explore their large habitats,” she said.

ADI hopes that the story of the Kuwait 6 will bring awareness to the illegal trade of wild animals.  “The Kuwait 6 lions have their whole lives ahead of them and will have acres of space at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary,” Creamer said.

“The ADI supporters who are helping to fund their care and this rescue are giving these lions their lives back, living as close as possible to the life they lost,” she said. “This is great news for these lions but also a warning about a cruel and irresponsible trade. I hope that people will join ADI as we work for that goal.”

Sources: Good Things Guy  | The Dodo