Three illegally kept lions were severely burned during wildfires in the Worcester area recently. The NSPCA Chief Operations Officer, Grace de Lange says 1 male and 2 females were vulnerable to the raging wildfires.
She says, “It resulted in burns that inflicted brutal suffering upon them.”
Last week, members of the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) attended the Fairy Glen Nature Reserve in Worcester, to assess and assist the lions.
Three illegally kept lions severely burned
One of the team members is the renowned veterinary expert for big cats, Dr Peter Caldwell. He is one of the world’s top carnivore veterinarians. Caldwell has been instrumental in the well-being of big cats in the country.
According to the NSPCA, the animals had sustained serious burns to their paws, eyes, mouths and chests, with secondary infections. There were also burn wounds observed on the male lion’s tongue.
Severely dehydrated
The lions were also left extremely dehydrated. According to a statement, a female lion was too weak to stand up.
It’s believed that the predators were left in confinement for six days after sustaining the burns, with the male having pressure sores from being immobile.
Dr Caldwell has explained that all three lions were supposed to be in intensive care.
Supposed to be in intensive care
The team also detected other problems, other than the tragic burns.
- the camps for these magnificent creatures were too small
- the camps were soiled with rotting chicken carcasses, and infested with maggots.
- Fairy Glen held no license in terms of the Performing Animals Protection Act 24 of 1935 for the animals, despite in essence operating as a zoo, with animals confined and exhibited for profit.
Other problems detected
The NSPCA says it’s considering its next steps to ensure that those who are responsible for the immense and continued suffering of these sentient beings are brought to book.
The organization has extended thanks to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA who assisted the NSPCA Team, especially in the preliminary investigation stages; as well as to Dr Caldwell for his expert and compassionate assistance herein.
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