- South Africa -
The nonprofit organization Bloemfontein SPCA said in a news release that during the recent wildfires in a large area of the Free State, they were “at the forefront to assist the farmers with injured animals and end the brutal suffering. Animals that could not escape the fires and were burnt to an extent of no return were relieved of further suffering by Team Bloemfontein SPCA.”
Bloemfontein SPCA was present at farms where grazing and land were destroyed.
While working tirelessly searching for injured animals, on the 3rd day the organization came across a captive, breeding lion farm.
As stated in the release, Bloemfontein SPCA was “refused entry by the owner in the Glen district, even though blazing flames destroyed most of the farmland, and especially the enclosures where the lions were kept. This was a clear indication that all was not well on this farm.”
Bloemfontein SPCA said the owner knew the lions became injured during the fires and for five long days he didn’t provide them any medical treatment.
At this point the only option Bloemfontein SPCA had was to obtain a warrant to enter the property.
Once inside the premises, Bloemfontein SPCA officials were shocked and heartbroken.
When they arrived at the lion enclosures, they saw that “the lions couldn’t escape the blazing fires and the inhalation of smothering fumes were evident. The lions didn’t move. They all laid in one spot with their paws turned upwards. Their fragile bodies were burnt, and their faces carried the devastating scars of the flames just days ago. Three male Lions, the supposed to be Kings of the Jungle, in one of the camps, couldn’t stand at all. As they attempted to get up, they simply collapsed over and over. One cannot begin to comprehend the pain these lions were in”, stated the release.
Bloemfontein SPCA described the camps to be in “horrible condition” and explained that they were too small for the lions, they were covered with feces and old carcasses , there was no electric fence, and the structure poles having burnt down. The fence was found with several holes but no lions escaped because they were too weak.
Bloemfontein SPCA officials realized that the owner “didn’t care about the lions anymore.”
According to the organization, the owner “was not willing to invest and financially spent nothing to ensure the welfare of these cats were up to standard. The owner no longer made provisions for food for the lions. If cattle or any wildlife animal died in the area the farmworkers would go and collect it for food. They would also get a few dead chickens from a nearby poultry farm. There must have been days on end that the lions went without food and one cow now and then was not going to feed 59 lions and 3 tigers.“
The poor lions were found to be underweight with a very weak and low body score and one of them had his rib, pelvic and vertebrae bones showing.
Veterinarians on site who were assisting Bloemfontein SPCA, sedated the lions to assess the level of injuries.
“The paw pads were burned off, with large blisters underneath the paws. Blood oozing from the wounds. The lion's faces were burnt, and they couldn’t eat because of blisters in their mouths. The lions had severe smoke inhalation damage. The damage was so severe to the lungs that the lions started to drown in their blood. The heat of the fire caused a lion’s eyes to burst. The pain that these lions had to endure. I cannot even try to imagine the pain”, part of the release read.
Thirty lions were euthanized and every single one was later cremated.
The press release further stated: “The owner wasn’t bothered to be present during any time of the inspection of the injuries nor during the euthanasia. He was laughing when he was issued a warning and we didn’t see him again. We issued multiple warnings for lack of water and shelter as we conduct daily inspections at the farm. The owner refuses to comply with any one of our warnings. He refuses to spend any money on these lions.”
Furthermore, this subhuman refused to financially contribute to the costs that Bloemfontein SPCA are facing.
Bloemfontein SPCA “opened a case of animal cruelty against the owners of the lions” and officials are still at the farm to ensure that the who did not suffer injuries from the fires and that are still there, get fed and receive water.
If you wish, and can afford to donate to help out Bloemfontein SPCA, please visit their website . Thank you!
Senior Inspector Reinet Meyer at the Bloemfontein SPCA said: “I have never been this angry in my 30 years at the Bloemfontein SPCA. The lion is part of our big 5 in South Africa. The lion has huge status and as a country, we are supposed to be proud of our indigenous animals, but we have failed them. We cultivated an industry, legal or illegal, that misuses our animals for entertainment like hunting, bone trade, poaching, circus tricks, cub petting or keeping them in zoos or as pets. This must stop. We should leave these animals to be free in the wild without any human contact, but we have failed that as a country. These lions were captive, and they burned, these lions were never free.”
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Pictures shared from Bloemfontein SPCA