Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg Does the Unthinkable
The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado has done some amazing things in their time, but nothing that compares to Operation Spirit of Freedom. Never before has this been done.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg is actually the largest facility of its kind here in the United States. The 501(c)3 foundation was started in 1980 and they have literally helped thousands of carnivores live better lives. Many of the animals have come to TWAS because private owners could no longer care for them or were doing so illegally. In fact, there are an estimated 4,000 tigers living as pets in the state of Texas alone, which is more than there are wild tigers in the world.
Now, TWAS is working with a British animal welfare group to rescue 33 circus lions from Peru, which is the largest rescue of its kind, ever. Never before has a rescue like this been attempted by anyone, and as you can imagine, funds are running out fast and TWAS needs our help to save these animals.
These majestic carnivores have literally lived their entire lives in tiny cages on the bed of beat up trucks and run down zoos, and have been mistreated from day one. TWAS is now feverishly building a habitat for them that is over 100 acres, complete with rolling hills and lakes, but construction is not free and help is needed to complete this habitat for them before their arrival on April 25, 2015.
In a temporary compound in Peru, the Lions have more space than they ever had with the circus, and they have toys and natural bedding. But the facilities are still small and basic, so everyone has to be focused on keeping them safe and secure, whilst building up their strength and health to be ready for the move to the U.S. Their new lives will really begin when they arrive here in Colorado. These Lions have endured incredible pain and hardship, but their new home with us will be a natural oasis where they can live freely in family prides the way nature intended - Pat Craig/The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s Executive Director
Back in 2011, TWAS did another massive rescue of 25 Lions from circuses in Bolivia, but that pales in comparison to this monumental rescue. These lions were removed from circuses all over Peru in late 2014 by welfare workers working with the Peruvian authorities enforcing a new ban on animal circuses in the country.
At a cost of $8,000 per lion, per year, it's estimated that The Wild Animal Sanctuary will spend over $4 million dollars on just these 33 lions alone over the next 15 to 20 years.
To learn more about helping to bring them home, or to make a donation, please call (303) 536-0118 or click on one of the links below.
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