Lion cub tortured by his captors in Russia, then rehabilitated for seven months, will be flown to his natural habitat in an African wildlife refuge
AsiaNet 86759
URALS, Russia, Nov. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
-- Simba will travel from Russia to Tanzania in late November. All repatriation
costs will be paid by the Russian Copper Company after animal rights activists
issued a plea for help
The future is bright for Simba, the lion cub who was used as a prop for photo
shoots in Russia. The lion was near death when he was rescued from a barn in
Dagestan, Russia in March 2020; he was tortured, emaciated, and unable to walk.
Local residents told authorities his captors used the cub to make money,
charging tourists to take selfies with Simba, and that his legs were broken to
prevent his escape. He was also malnourished and his body was covered with
wounds. Reports of the abuse reached animal rights activists in the Urals.
Veterinarian Dr. Karen Dallakyan and others were able to rescue the cub and
bring him to Dallakyan's nonprofit animal rescue centre SAVE ME Foundation in
Chelyabinsk, Russia. For seven months, Dallakyan and his team provided medical
treatment and cared for Simba. Says Dallakyan, "Many devoted people worked to
save Simba. Witnessing the transformation of this magnificent animal makes it
all worthwhile. I am relieved and thankful that businesses, organizations, and
individuals have banded together to allow this animal to thrive in his natural
habitat in Africa."
Video -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1339133/Russian_Copper_Company_Simba_Video.mp4
Photo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1334593/Russian_Copper_Company_Simba_Before.jpg
Photo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1334594/Russian_Copper_Company_Simba.jpg
The lion cub's difficult rehabilitation will end with a unique repatriation to
Tanzania in late November 2020; an effort that is sponsored by the Russian
Copper Company (
). Simba will be flown to the Kilimanjaro Animal Crew Rehabilitation Centre in
Moshi, Tanzania, where he will live in a separate enclosure at a dedicated
centre for rehabilitated lions under round-the-clock supervision. The lion will
have a large, beautiful space in which to roam.
Russian Copper Company Spokesman Kirill Irkha says, "When we heard of Simba's
plight and the need for funds to repatriate the animal to Africa, we were happy
to cover the costs. The abuse suffered by Simba is unconscionable. The world
has watched as Simba has regained his health thanks to dedicated professionals
and volunteers. We are looking forward to seeing Simba in his natural habitat
and are glad to be playing a role in getting him there."
This is the first official repatriation of wild animals in the history of
Russia.
SOURCE: Russian Copper Company
CONTACT: Barbara MacLeod, Barbara@CrossCurrentCommunications.com
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