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Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH)

First Walk to Freedom

11/25/2014

19 Comments

 
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Kevin Richardson reports on Yame and George 

The end of year is a very busy time and very demanding as everyone tries to fit everything in before end of first week of December, so please bear with me if I haven't communicated as often as I would've liked.

George and Yame are doing extremely well. They have settled in and are growing day on day. They have been on a few walks in the greater farm and have travelled up and down in the lion vehicle. Slowly but surely they are becoming more and more confident and the true characters are starting to show which is wonderful.

Yame is looking almost as if there was nothing ever wrong with him. His eyes seem good, body weight is good and bone formation on track. He has a healthy appetite and is always keen on a game of stalk.
George is doing great but has a way to go. His eyes have improved and are looking clearer but his vision is still severely compromised. His bone formation and rehabilitation is on track and one has to just be careful of over exercising him.

They are both due for bloods in 3 weeks time. (6 weeks after arrival). George's dose of Metacam has been increased due to his weight.
We have gotten Taurine from our vet as well as strath. We are struggling with the correct eye drops and will need consequine and vitoftal soon. Our vets don't seem to know what these are so getting these is a help.

All in all they're both such a treat to have at the sanctuary and one can see their happy little spirits.
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Future updates.
For all those who have donated to relocate the cubs to SA and who are interested in the cubs' progress, CACH will be posting a monthly newsletter and blog about the cubs' activities at the sanctuary. We hope to get pictures of them each month as they grow and this way you can follow their first year.
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Here is an interesting point of view.
One of the volunteers, Alexander Anghelou, who was at Kevin's sanctuary when the cubs arrived has written an interesting piece on the psychology of hunting.

" Boasting about killing an animal isn’t a sign of strength; it’s a sign of insecurity. "

"I believe that the power and thrill the hunter feels by killing a lion, which is a symbol of power, is due to the fact that they feel reassured by fooling themselves that they have more power than they actually have and therefore temporarily feel more secure."

See his full article here .........

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Cub Petting - Lion Parks in SA exposed for what they are.
Watch 60 Minutes on Sunday, 30th Nov, on CBS news in USA to see the dramatic exposure of Lion Parks in South Africa that pose as sanctuaries.  
Watch the promo video here: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/from-pets-to-prey/

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Little George takes the lead here, on the cubs first walk in the African bush veld
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Yame out in front.
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19 Comments

Hasta pronto leoncitos

11/15/2014

16 Comments

 
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See you soon little lions.

Sadly, we leave tomorrow for Madrid. What are we leaving behind? We leave our two lovely,
very special, (not so little anymore), lions, Yame and George, some very good friends, and
wonderful memories of our time in South Africa.

What do we take with us? We take my red and black checkered Yame and George shirt,
(worn almost every day), shredded and torn from many moments of fun and play, their blue
brush – used daily, as they loved the feel of it on their skin, (rather like momma lion giving
them an all over nice lick), a favorite toy, my chewed up boots, and countless pictures of our
times together. We will visit our friends at Fauna y Accion where the cubs lived for over three
months. It will be very hard to see the cubs' little apartment, where they played, and most likely,
find the other toys and odds and ends they left behind that Tete has gathered up to remember
them by as well.

George and Yame have become a part of who we are. We will carry them with us in our hearts
and our prayers wherever we go. We will always remember also how much they have loved us
and trusted us and all that they have taught us about kindness, forgiveness, and compassion.
We will look forward to seeing them again soon and in the meantime, we will follow their
progress through pictures and updates from Kevin’s sanctuary which we will share with you all
as well.

We hope that you will remember them and remember also what their rescue has meant to
the important work we are trying to do at CACH. Yame and George are your ambassadors –
ambassadors that you have chosen to support in our common mission to save our lions. You
have helped make their story such a success. All of you who have given that support, regardless
in what way – however great or small – have sent them on this journey. They belong to the
world now. They stand as a reminder to all of us that cruelty and suffering should have no place
in our hearts or in our actions. It must end.

Chris Mercer and Bev Pervan have worked endlessly to give us this opportunity to help end cub
petting and canned hunting. It was the two of them that brought this whole story together.
While we were off in search of Yame and George, they were putting a plan together as to how
these two cubs could globally make a difference - change the hearts of people everywhere
before it is too late. Now we need to do everything that we can to assure that their hard work
will inspire others to step forward and meet the challenge of fighting for the innocent victims
who cannot fight for themselves.

We hope you enjoy these latest pictures of Yame and George. While we will miss them, we
find great joy in seeing them so happy just being normal lions and we know that after so much
suffering, they have found a future which offers them at long last the peaceful life they deserve.
CJ & Luis.


To view the Powerpoint Slideshow of the whole adventure, click on this link.
Slideshare/chrisMercer1

Life's a little boring on the ground - last one up the tree is a baboon
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Bird cub building his nest
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George go find your own tree, this one is mine
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I told you this was my tree!!!!
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Satisfaction at last
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16 Comments

Lion cubs - from agony to ecstasy

11/7/2014

19 Comments

 
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MADRID to JOHANNESBURG LX2027/LX288 – TWO LION CUBS ON BOARD

As we approached the October 15th departure date, we started to panic. Two important documents from SA were still missing; the veterinary import permit and the Cites import permit. Worse yet, nobody could tell us when they would be available. We were forced to move the departure date to the 28th of October. We cancelled our reservations and notified everyone that we were not coming. Disappointment loomed everywhere. The building of the transport cage had to be delayed. The cubs were growing daily. We were worried that the internal dimensions of the transport would not be large enough. The cubs were putting on 300 to 400 grams per day.  They were growing fast.  In order to continue building the transport, and be prepared for departure, we needed to measure the cub’s height and length daily which was not an easy thing to do as they never really kept still.  Yame thought the tape measure was a new toy and chased it around. There were dimension limitations from cargo as well and it all became frustrating guess work.

Every day that passed our anxiety increased exponentially. We were calling SA everyday to ask about the permits, the forwarder, and Swiss cargo to make sure they were ready to act as soon as the last permit became available. Finally, October 24th, late in the afternoon, just before the weekend started, we got the expected news – all permits were available. The rush was on to tie up all the loose ends. With only three working days left and our blood pressures rising, we decided to move the boys on the 30th.  We still needed to get airline confirmation from cargo for that date, get our tickets, inspect and complete the transporter by the eve of departure, and get final veterinarian health certificates for travelling, etc. Everything fell into place on October 30th and we got the green light to go! 

Many people gathered at the center Fauna y Accion to see the boys off and wish them well. As Tete, (The Lion Whisperer of Spain and the love of the cub’s life), pulled the dolly up to load the boys into their transport, a lot of tears were shed by all the people at the center who had spent over three months of their lives caring for and loving dearly little Yame and George.

Yame wanted nothing to do with getting into that unfamiliar box that had nothing to do with the life he had come to know. Tete had to push him from behind but Yame had his brakes on and it took a big, big shove to move him forward and inside. George, of course was less of a problem. The only thing he wanted was to be with his brother and entered into the transport quite calmly. However, neither of them were happy. 

Tete loaded the transport into the truck and we started down the road. Everyone waved good-bye.  We were on our way to the airport and another adventurous chapter in the lives Yame and George.

The cubs were already stressed when we arrived to the airport and I thought, “Oh dear me. They haven’t even started the trip yet. This is not going to be easy.”

We found the airport cargo area packed with the Spanish Guardia de Civil, airport security personnel, veterinarians, and numerous other airport officials. At first we thought there was a VIP around or something of that nature. When we pulled up to the cargo loading zone, we found that all of the fuss was about the cubs. All of the people there were either there for the security and protection of Yame and George, veterinary processing, curiosity, and well wishers. There must have been 30 people hanging around and we were overwhelmed by such support and kindness. The cubs were unloaded and disappeared into the Swiss Air Cargo building.

We said good-bye to Tete and his wife Paty. Luis and I may have rescued little Yame and George from a horrible fate which probably would have meant their death if we hadn’t, but Tete and Paty gave them their lives back by the love and amazing care they gave them. We knew nothing about healing sick lions and we are so very grateful for those at Fauna y Accion who gave so much unconditionally for the boys.

After checking ourselves on to the same flight with the boys, we were able to watch them being loaded on the plane. It was quite an emotional moment – a very impressive handling of the operation by Swiss Air Spanish employees - very professionally and smoothly done. Interestingly enough, we found that our own seats on the plane coincided with Yame and George situated right below us. If only they could have heard our familiar call. We were finally on our way to South Africa and the new home of Yame and George with Kevin Richardson.

It wasn’t a long flight via Zurich. Under two hours. When we landed, the captain of the plane sought us out and asked if we were the people with the lions on board. He escorted us personally to where the cubs were being unloaded from the cargo area of the plane and we were able to talk with them. They were stressed but in good condition. Remember though, this was a short flight and the biggie was yet to be taken.

I cannot remember the last time I had suffered such anguish - just thinking about the boys and what they must be going through. When we finally arrived to our destination we were greeted by members of our CACH team. All of us went directly to cargo looking for the cubs. It wasn’t hard to find them as there was a crowd circled around something that we knew must be the cub’s transport. Kevin Richardson was there and a few reporters. Little George was very stressed and he had lost some fur and skin in various places on his face. It was mandatory to have a divider between the cubs during flight. They were together and could see each other but they couldn’t reach each other. George had rubbed his face trying to get to his brother. He looked pitiful. He had gone through a trauma once again.

The ride to Kevin’s sanctuary was a long one and I kept telling myself that at least this was the end of it. They would suffer no more. They were going home finally forever.

Waiting for Yame and George at Kevin’s Wildlife Sanctuary was a lovely, open, peaceful, enclosed area from where they can see  the golden Savannah fields, the acacia trees, and Africa’s wildlife roaming freely around in front of them. This area is to be their home for the time being while their new enclosure is being built. Once that is ready, they will reside there for a few more months while Kevin performs “his magic” and makes the right decision for where he wants “his boys” to become a part of his family of lions.

So, how do Luis and I feel now?  LOST!  We have spent the last three and a half months of our lives loving Yame and George. We started the process of healing their little bodies and repairing their broken spirits. We have hugged them and cuddled them - all of which was necessary as they never knew what a mother’s love could mean. And most important, helped them to learn how to trust again. We are going to be very lonely without them. Our lives have changed forever. But we feel such joy in our hearts knowing that they will have such special lives and grow into very big lions and will forever be ambassadors for their own kind. Hopefully, others all over the world will learn from them. We need to change the hearts of people. Compassion and love will win through. These two little boys will see to that.

We will carry our love for Yame and George in our hearts and will forever be grateful to them for all that they have taught us. We started this rescue thinking that we would teach THEM about love and forgiveness and trust, but they are the ones in the end that taught us. “We love you our little lions.”

 We wish to thank Swiss Cargo for their generosity and Swiss crew and personnel for all of the support given to us in making this move for Yame and George to South Africa possible.

Fauna y Accion - Madrid
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Thursday 30th October - time to leave for SA
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Yame and George - arrive at Kevin Richardson's sanctuary
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19 Comments

Born in France, rescued in Spain, safe in SA

11/4/2014

21 Comments

 
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The Spanish lion cubs arrived in Johannesburg on Friday 31st October. It was a blazing hot day on the highveld. The CACH team met at the cargo section of OR Tambo airport. Linda Park, Drew, Stephanie, Chris Voets and Smaragda were all there. The air cargo section is narrow and congested, with huge trucks moving in and out of the area. There we chatted with the Lufthansa cargo agent who told us that they were well aware of the cubs’ arrival and were going to clear a parking place for Kevin and the Land Rover that would collect our precious container. 

So off we all went to the airport terminal to meet CJ & Luis. We sat down together and had a meeting because this was the first time I had met them all. We discussed the coming year and how we would tackle the cub petting industry. Time seemed to fly because before we knew it we had to go to International Arrivals for CJ & Luis. 

Well eventually there they were and at last we met face to face. Their flight was on time and when the greetings were over, we moved off quickly to go back to cargo to see the arrival of the cubs.

My cousin, Lynn, had very kindly taken me to the airport and would drive me back to cargo. We left the team to get our vehicle and on the way I managed to lose our parking ticket. So of course we could not get out of the parkade. I had to then run to the end of the parking area to the office to get another ticket to get us out. All that for R20. Phew that was hectic. The universe was conspiring against me and I was afraid that I would miss seeing the two little chaps I had been thinking about constantly for three months. We eventually arrived at air cargo too late to see the cubs, amongst the absolute chaos of so many huge trucks all trying to squeeze into impossibly small spaces. 

By the time Lynn and I got there, the Land Rover was already loaded with the cubs. Kevin was there supervising the loading and tying the container onto the back of the vehicle. A crowd had gathered around the cubs; curious at the cargo.  Most of the onlookers had never seen a lion before. I did not get to see the cubs as there was a bamboo curtain covering the wire. 

It was now nearly midday and very hot. I felt so sorry for the cubs. So it was important to get on the road without delay. Before long we were off in convoy to take the cubs to Kevin’s sanctuary at Dinokeng, which is north of Pretoria. 

On arrival Kevin and his rangers set about off-loading the heavy crate. It was so awkward to try and manouver off the back of the Land Rover. It took about six guys to lift it out and onto the ground.

The container was beautifully built to IATA specs, with a cleverly designed water system installed. There was still water in the little dishes. 

The first sighting of the cubs was an incredible feeling for me. I could not believe that they had at last arrived. It had sometimes seemed that it would never happen, with all the delays waiting for all the permits. Yame was very calm, curious and showed little stress – a good traveller. He stood at the entrance of his container quietly looking at all that was going on. 

Not so little George. He was extremely stressed, pacing about and crying. Sadly the container had to have a wire separation between the cubs and during the trip George had rubbed against the wire to get to his brother. We think because of the cataracts he is not seeing so well and is relying mainly on touch. So his little face was rubbed raw.

As soon as the container was on the ground Kevin opened the door and let them out. What an amazing moment, to see these two little lion cubs, born in France, and rescued in Spain, now step onto the grass safe in South Africa. Wow! Kevincalled to the cubs and they followed him like they had always known him.  Apparently he had bonded with them right from his first meeting with the cubs at the airport.

We left them to wonder around, Yame exploring their new environment and little George right behind him. Kevin said we must just leave them to get a feeling for their new environment. He led them to a beautiful enclosure, built especially for them, where there was a wonderful big pond full of fresh water. 

The cubs explored the garden, but were exhausted and eventually they walked into a house near the enclosure and collapsed onto the cool stone floors. There they stayed for hours, sleeping. When they woke up they decided to re-arrange the bedroom. Fluffy cat toy and cushions were dragged off the bed and chewed on, the Persian carpet was christened with a pee and the blanket was dragged around the room. These Spanish lions need to learn some manners!

We took them into their enclosure for water and to give them food. Yame ate and drank well. Little George was still too stressed, he drank a little but would not eat. He seemed not to like our South African chicken or beef. Well who can blame him. I don’t like them either, but I am vegetarian 

Again Kevin had to tell everyone not to stress and to leave the cubs and that George would need more time than Yame to adjust. Kevin spent some quality time with them as you see in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vy3yUlCReQ
Because the weather was so fine and warm the cubs were due to sleep outside. But the wind picked up and the rangers felt that because of the noise of the wind and the strange animal sounds, that the cubs would be more comfortable inside where they would feel safer. So their first night they slept in a beautifully prepared room with new straw as their bed.

That night the Welgedacht team of rangers and volunteers from around the world gave us a lovely poitjie dinner in the lapa around a big fire. We met the owner of Welgedacht, Gerald, and had a lovely evening, and for me the only vegetarian there, they had prepared a special poitjie.

I was emotionally exhausted when we eventually went off to bed, to the bush camp which was a few kilometres away from where the cubs will live. Do go to the Welgedacht website and you will see how well we were cared for and how beautiful is the area that the cubs will live in.http://www.welgedachtsafaris.com/

The next morning we were taken back to see the cubs. Yame was up and about and very settled. Not so George. Still stressed and exhausted, he was walking around with his head held low as if he was trying to see over the cataracts in his eyes, dropping to the ground in a very sad little heap. I was so worried about him. Again Kevin and Jade, the ranger that will care for the cubs, told us not to worry that all he needed was time and a quiet place to collect himself and get used to his new environment.

We left the cubs to settle down with no one around and went with Jade and her volunteers to go and feed the lions, hyena and leopard living at the Sanctuary. What a fantastic experience. We saw some of the most beautiful animals in superb condition. The enclosures are well-designed with a very good and safe system to feed all these animals. We then helped the team to clean the enclosures. Picking up old bones and poo. I think I was the one who found the most poo and wanted to be crowned poop queen, but decided I would not push the issue because I was sure they would find a poop crown for me. 

Late that afternoon, CJ eventually managed to get George to eat a little chicken laced with milk. We were all thrilled; the corner seemed to have been turned. 

Next morning, Sunday, CJ and Luis went off early with the rangers to see the area. I did not go because I was leaving to go home at midday. So I went to see the cubs. Wow what an amazing change in George. Jade had fed him before I had arrived. George had not only eaten well but had also had a lot of liquid. Being dehydrated had affected his sight and now after good food and lots of water there was a little lion who was almost back to normal.

What a change, I was amazed, and thrilled, and relieved. I spent the morning at a very quiet enclosure, nobody around. CJ& Luis were away with the rangers, and the volunteers were off doing their daily chores. 

The cubs were relaxed, played a little, then climbed onto the roof of their little den and slept through the heat of the morning. I sat in the heat with a little ginger cat on my lap just soaking up the quiet of the African bush and watching two very lucky little lions sleeping contentedly on their new den for hours. It was just the most tranquil time and I felt so privileged to be a part of this rescue of two little abused animals and to have met the wonderful people who will care for them for the rest of their lives.

Drew and her husband Brian, came to fetch me and we spent time with Jade while she again fed the cubs. Yame woolfed his food down and was quite prepared to do the same with George’s.  We managed to occupy him with a bowl smeared with milk which he had to take time to completely lick clean, while George ate a very good lunch coached along by Jade. George is still not that fond of our SA chicken, and will have none of our beef.

So when I left I was very content, happy that the cubs had arrived and adjusted to their new home. It is a beautiful reserve with a team that is dedicated to their care and future.

Thank you Kevin, Gerald and the Welgedacht rangers for preparing a wonderful home for these little chaps. Thank you Jade for your gentle and patient care.  They are truly a very lucky pair of lion cubs indeed. 

Thank you to the CACH team because without you none of this would ever have happened.
Bev. 

 

Friday, 31st October 2014
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Saturday, 1st November 2014
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Sunday, 2nd November 2014
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21 Comments

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PUBLIC BENEFIT NUMBER: PB0930030402        |        REG. NUMBER: 2006/036885/08   
   CACH:  P.O. BOX 54 LADISMITH 6655 SOUTH AFRICA     |     MOBILE/CELL/WHATSAPP:  +27 (0) 82 9675808
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