Many countries have officially enacted laws against keeping wild animals in circuses. However, many circuses are blinded by money and are seen chaining these animals. This is exactly what the mountain lion has been going through for almost 20 years.
An old mountain lion, after spending his life in chains behind a truck, finally tasted freedom.
Rescued from an illegal Peruvian circus, Mfassa Mountain Lion was probably sold into the illegal pet trade in his youth.
He moved from village to village for 20 years and was forced to perform with the circus.
When he was not forced to perform, he was chained and locked behind a truck.
John Kramer, president of Animal Defenders International (ADI), said it was heartbreaking to see Mufasa tied to the circus equipment behind a pickup truck.
A heavy horn and chains were wrapped around his body and he was released for the first time when we cut him.
He described the scene as “the most tragic, ugly thing you’ve ever seen,” noting that “it was as if he weren’t even alive.”
Thankfully, though, he was rescued by ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom, a crackdown on illegal circuses.
This was after Peru banned circus animals from performing in 2015. To save him, he had to deal with the owners for eight hours.
He was found to be underweight and “terrified” because he was afraid of his rescuers.
ADI helped him recover at his rescue center, “his condition improved and his appetite improved after specialist veterinary treatment.”
After recovering, he was transferred to the Tarikaya Ecological Reserve to live in a special wall in the Amazon rainforest.
Mufasa could not be left in the jungle because he would not survive, now he has to live in the place closest to his natural life.
Here are the pictures showing her taking her first cautious step into her new home where no one can hurt her.
Mufasa was torn from the wild and has endured the worst of life, “Kramer said.” [His] story is a symbol of the trouble we have ended.
Kramer said it’s magical to see him wandering in and out of trees in his own piece of protected forest.
Mufasa was one of 100 animals rescued by ADI, which will continue its work to free illegal circus animals.
You can donate to ADI for help with Mufasa and more.
H/T: kingdomstv
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