Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
CEN/@ProteccionPonal
This is the moment the malnourished lion that was rescued from a circus is transported to its new home by the Colombian Air Force where it will receive specialist care for its ongoing recovery.
Male lion Jupiter has been transferred from the city of Monteria in the northern Colombian province of Cordoba to Cali in the western department of Valle del Cauca.
Reports said that the feline was flown to Cali by plane by the Colombian Air Force under the watchful eye of vet Delio Orejuela.
The footage shows the moment the caged lion boards the plane on the shoulders of policemen, soldiers and Orejuela.
A second video shows the moment the lion arrived in the city of Cali reportedly at 12.30 pm on 27th February.
The mayor of Cali, who received the lion, said on Twitter: “Jupiter is with us in Cali. He is a very delicate patient and he needs all our respect and care. We are going to his temporary home at the municipal garden centre.”
Veterinarian Delio Orejuela said: “Jupiter is a 20-year-old elderly lion and his condition is delicate. We are trying to determine why he is in such a bad condition with signs of anaemia and low levels of haemoglobin and hematocrit.”
Reports said that Jupiter was transferred to the Municipal Garden Centre where the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (DAGMA), the Cali Zoo and the local authorities will assess its condition and decide on the best methods for its recovery.
Jupiter had previously been staying at the Villa Lorena animal shelter in the city of Cali after it was rescued from a circus where it was reportedly abused and had its claws cut off. He appeared to be doing well after having been moved here.
CEN/Nancy Cardona
However, the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (DAGMA) announced in 2017 that the lion would have to leave the shelter as the facilities could not guarantee the animal’s welfare.
The big cat was transferred to the Los Caimanes zoo in the city of Monteria in the province of Cordoba on 27th March 2019. But in the zoo, his condition deteriorated rapidly for unknown reasons, necessitating his move to the new location.
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