The Last Circus Lions in Bolivia Await Airlift to the U.S.

In 2009, Bolivia became the first country in the world to ban domestic and wild animals from traveling circuses. A handful of other countries prohibit the use of wild animals or certain species, but Bolivia's law is the most comprehensive to date. The country's circuses were given a year to adapt their shows to eliminate all animal performances. That year is up.

Animal Defenders International was instrumental in getting the law passed, and they promised they'd be there to help enforce it. A few animals were voluntarily turned over early last in the year, but not every circus owner was willing to comply. So, in December, ADI traveled thousands of miles across Bolivia to rescue 24 captive lions from 8 circuses. All of the lions will be airlifted to the U.S. under a mission dubbed "Operation Lion Ark."

A pride of eight lions lived in a cage on the back of a truck, about the size of two double beds. Another lion was living in isolation in a tiny cage. Three 7-week-old cubs were born to a life of exploitation, but will now get to grow up in a sanctuary.

ADI President Jan Creamer said, "They will be the last animals to appear in a Bolivian circus show." They're expecting one more lion to join Operation Lion Ark, which has become "the biggest rescue and airlift of lions ever seen in the world."

The lions are being rehabilitated in a temporary compound in Bolivia until they can be airlifted to the U.S. This monumental rescue effort isn't cheap.

ADI is asking for donations to their Save the Lions appeal to help the lions make the last leg of their journey to freedom.

The sad irony is that, while these lucky lions from Bolivia will find their freedom in American sanctuaries, there are still lions suffering in traveling shows here in the U.S.

When ADI investigated U.S. circuses, they found extreme confinement, lax safety standards, and cases of abuse that were at least on par with the evidence that led to Bolivia's law. The nature of traveling circuses — the unnatural performances, the limited facilities and the constant relocation — make them particularly prone to animal cruelty.

ADI isn't trying to shut down the circus industry. They just want to "take animals out of circuses and let humans do the entertaining." As an animal advocate and a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil, I couldn't agree more.

Tell your representatives to follow Bolivia's lead and ban the use of animals in traveling circuses.

For more information on Operation Lion Ark, check out ADI's Save the Lions site.

Photo credit: Animal Defenders International