Panamanian Lions Airlifted to Colorado

KEENESBURG, Colo., Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a highly coordinated effort, officials from the Panamanian Government, FedEx Air Cargo, and The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) airlifted three female African Lions to a wildlife refuge in Colorado this morning.  

Found in the small town of Chorrera outside of Panama City, the three sibling African Lions - ranging in age from 15-18 years old - had lived their entire lives being neglected and physically abused.  Kept in tiny concrete and steel cages, the Lions were fed small amounts of whatever food local charity organizations could muster.

"The Lions are displaying obvious signs of neglect, being extremely small in stature, very lethargic, and critically underweight.  These are clear signs that poor nutrition, cramped spaces and a complete lack of medical attention has taken its toll on them," said Wild Animal Sanctuary Director, Pat Craig.  "They have spent the last decade waiting for someone to save them.  One animal welfare organization after another had promised to get involved and help secure a better home for these three girls, but no one would actually follow through and come get them."

TWAS plans to provide the Lions with much needed medical attention while closely observing them over the next several months as they go through the Sanctuary's rehabilitation process. Once the Lions are healthy and acclimated to their new environment, they will be released into a large acreage natural habitat where they will live for the rest of their lives.

Over the past couple months TWAS was able to bring together several key organizations to help make the rescue possible.  Within Panama, the National Authority for the Environment (ANAM) worked diligently to secure legal releases needed for the Lions to leave Panama, while Tocumen Airport officials assisted with all of the logistics related to staging the Lions for when they would arrive at the airport.

In addition to providing logistical support for the rescue team, Gamboa Rainforest Resort also donated vehicles to transport the Lions to the capital city where a FedEx Air Cargo plane awaited their arrival.  "FedEx played a decisive role in this rescue, as they graciously donated the Lions' transportation to the U.S. Without the help of their dedicated staff, these Lions might have never obtained the freedom they deserved," said Craig.  

The Panama rescue is the second international rescue TWAS has successfully accomplished in the last seven months. In February 2011, 25 African Lions were rescued in conjunction with Animal Defenders International from eight different circuses throughout Bolivia after the government banned the use of animals in circus acts. After completing the Sanctuary's rehabilitation process, the Lions now roam freely on 80 acres of rolling grasslands. "We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to save three more African Lions from a life of despair, and give them the life they deserve in wild open spaces," said Katie Vandegrift, the Sanctuary's Public relations Director. Both of the international rescues have been filmed by a National Geographic with the stories airing sometime in the near future.

About The Wild Animal Sanctuary:
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center, Inc., DBA The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a 720 acre refuge for large carnivores that have been confiscated from illegal or abusive situations. The Sanctuary is located 30 miles northeast of Denver, Colorado near the town of Keenesburg. The non-profit organization currently cares for more than 290 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wolves and other large carnivores and provides lifelong care for its rescued animals.  The Sanctuary is the oldest and largest carnivore sanctuary in existence, having been in operation since 1980.  The facility is distinctive among others in that it provides large acreage natural habitats for its rescued animals to live in and roam freely. The Sanctuary is open daily to the public for educational purposes and features a unique system of observation decks and walkways that visitors utilize to see the animals in natural habitats.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110928/DC76756-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110928/DC76756-b )

SOURCE The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center)