Panamanian Lion Rescue
Lions in concrete and steel cage in Panama
Found in the small town of Chorrera outside of Panama City, Three female African Lions that are 14 years old had spent their entire lives being neglected and physically abused. They were kept inside a tiny 5x8ft steel and concrete cage and were only fed small amounts of food scraps from local butcher shops. They lived on a fairground that was only open two weeks a year for one of the biggest fairs in Panama. During those two weeks, the Lionesses were constantly harassed as drunken fair patrons would scream and throw objects at them. The fairground was rented out to a different non-profit organization every two years to help raise funds, but the Lions paid the ultimate price as each new fairground management never provided proper nutrition or medical attention. The Lionesses learned how to survive despite suffering from starvation and neglect. For years animal welfare organizations have promised to help secure a better home for the Lionesses, but no one followed through and got them. When The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) heard about the Lions, we immediately promised to rescue them from their lives of deprivation.
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 helping the Lions get the freedom they deserved as they graciously donated their transportation to the U.S.
Elena in her new enclosure
The Lionesses were airlifted to Denver International Airport at 4:45am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011and was transported to TWAS shortly after. The Lionesses are temporarily being housed in the state of the art Bolivian Lion Complex in one of the 1,500 square foot enclosures where they will see and hear other Lions for the first time in their lives. TWAS will provide the Lions with a high-quality specially formulated diet of meat and much needed medical attention. Over the next several months, the Lionesses will go through the Sanctuary’s rehabilitation process as they gain weight, build muscle tone and learn how to interact with other Lions. 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. TWAS staff decided to name the Lionesses Elena (named after Elena Castejon – a woman in Panama that fought tirelessly to help free the Lions), Alyssa (named after one of the two FedEx jets that carried the female Lions), and Kaitlin (named after the second FedEx aircraft – as well as another woman (Kate) in Panama that helped the Lions).
Special note: This rescue was a highly coordinated effort that would not have been possible without the following people: FedEx stepped up to the plate right away as the trusted carrier to provide the life- saving flight from Panama to Colorado for the Lionesses. Edgar Chacon and Jorge Garcia from ANAM vigorously fought for years on behalf of the Lionesses to find them a better home which set an unprecedented confirmation on how important animal welfare is to the Panamanian Government. Gamboa Rainforest Resort helped safely transport the Lions to the Tocumen Airport in one of their vehicles and also provided the rescue team with lodging and other logistical support.
Elena, Kaitlyn and Alyssa perk up as Kimba roars to them
Update: 9/29/2011
The girls made the trip very well – sleeping off and on during their two flights – and spending time watching what was going on at each of the layovers. They definitely enjoyed the air conditioning on the flights, and the cooler weather in Memphis and Colorado – as they didn’t need to pant in order to stay cool – which is probably a first in their lives.
Upon arrival in Denver, they were quickly taken to their new home at the Sanctuary and released into their initial 1,500 sq.ft. enclosure. They were very calm during the entire ordeal and immediately settled into their new environment. It was great to see their reaction when Kimba, a small male Bolivian Lion who lives on the other side of the breezeway, came into the Lion house and began to Roar. All three girls instantly perked up and were mesmerized by his call. Both he, and Elena (named after Elena Castejon – a woman in Panama that fought tirelessly to help free the Lions), Alyssa (named after one of the two FedEx jets that carried the female Lions), and Kaitlin (named after one of the two jets that carried the Lions – as well as another woman (Kate) in Panama that helped the Lions) spent the rest of the day enthralled with each other’s presence.
The girls also ate well upon arrival – tasting a high-quality specially formulated diet of meat for the first time in their lives – and took short “cat” naps as they rested in their new home. This morning they seemed to be right at home after spending the night listening to the other prides of Lions calling in the distance. We’re looking forward to seeing them make great progress over the next few weeks and want to thank everyone for making this rescue a stunning success!
