30 Circus Lions Were Flown To Big Cat Paradise And Their Happiness Is Palpable
Even big cats are tiny kitties at heart.
Get ready to squee: 33 circus lions were recently moved to their own big cat paradise in South Africa. According to BBC, the dangerous kitties were rescued from circuses in Colombia and Peru by the US-based group Animal Defenders International and they caught the rescue and release on film.
As soon as the lions are let out of their transport crates you can see the stress melt away—not to mention you can feel your own Grinch-heart unclench a little bit as you watch the lions experience grass and trees for the first time in their lives. The lions let out a few preliminary growls to test out their new freedom and we may have aww'd our way through the whole thing before frantically seeing if you can adopt a pet lion (you can't).
Check out the dangerously playful lions below. Or, if rescued circus elephants are more your speed, we've got you covered too.
The lions flew for more than 15 hours to reach their big cat paradise.
Lions can get jet lag too, right?
In their new home, Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, there are drinking pools, platforms, toys and top veterinary care.
Gotta love a good all-inclusive resort.
Watch the full, awww-dorable video of the rescued lions below.
BRB, gotta go adopt a pet lion quickly!