Brutus Rescue Background
The Born Free Foundation and the SPA and FAA in France join forces to give new life to circus lion
We can now reveal that the Mystery Lion we referred to in Born Free’s Autumn Appeal, is Brutus, a lonely lion from a French circus.
Brutus, a six year old lion has been shut in his circus trailer for the last four years, without ever coming out. The run-down circus, Cirque Vitalis, did not have the funds to go on the road performing and the circus lorries and the “beast wagon” with Brutus in it were left at the home of the owner in the tiny hamlet of St Denis d’Authou. The lorries had been parked in such a way as to hide Brutus from view. Unable to see Brutus for ourselves we had been very concerned about him these last few months as in June there had been rumours that he was severely ill.
- Brutus in his world of sheet metal and bars – but not for much longer - Photo SPA
Finally our colleagues in France were able to persuade the French authorities to confiscate Brutus (the owner does not have the necessary permits to keep him). We had to keep the impending confiscation secret as in 2006 Cirque Vitalis had escaped the confiscation of Brutus merely by moving to another ‘Departement’ of France, and to another set of authorities where the long process of legal action has to begin all over again. There was also a big risk that, if the circus could not keep the lion themselves, they would sell him to another circus rather than let animal protectionists have him.
SECRET LION WAS NO SECRET ANY MORE
As it happened, we were concerned to learn that, after the confiscation order was issued, the authorities decreed that the owners were to be given two weeks notice of what was to happen. Fortunately a discreet Police watch was kept on the circus and when the rescue team turned up on 13th December to take Brutus, accompanied by several police officers, it was clear the owners had not believed the judgement would be carried through and had not made plans to prevent the seizure.
They were angry and abusive at the officials involved – and no doubt upset to lose Brutus. They obviously did not see anything wrong in confining a lion to a barren circus trailer – this is how most circuses in France, large and small, keep their big cats.
Footage in French
It was not advisable for representatives of Born Free or our French colleagues to attend the confiscation – it would only inflame a delicate situation – so representatives from the SPA¹ and FAA² waited outside while Brutus was darted and crated. Tricia Holford, Born Free’s Rescue Co-ordinator, was on stand-by at the half way house to await this new arrival.
The only photo we have of Brutus before he was darted was kindly taken by a French Gendarme at the request of the SPA (above). The Gendarme described a barren trailer devoid of bedding. That night there had been a heavy frost and the day was freezing cold. It must have been miserable for poor Brutus to lie on the metal floor. We have little knowledge of his early life, but we know the last four years have been empty of distraction and comfort and without the company of other lions.
REFUGE FOR BRUTUS
- Brutus, still dazed from the anaesthetic, surveys the new world outside his travelling crate. Photo Virginie Pocq St Jean / SPA
Brutus is now at a sanctuary called Le Refuge de l’Arche in the Mayenne region of France. The sanctuary does not have the space to keep Brutus permanently, but we hope Brutus will be fit enough to be transferred to South Africa, to the Born Free / Shamwari Centre at Shamwari Game Reserve in February or March 2008, once we have the permits in place.
Christian Huchede, the owner of the sanctuary, reports that Brutus is settling in well. He is eating normally and is very calm for a lion that has just arrived in a strange, new environment. Brutus is having to remain in his indoor quarters for lack of space at the Refuge, but he is obviously confident enough to issue territorial roars to the sanctuary’s other lions he can hear nearby. He isn’t at all aggressive with the care staff, so all this points to a lion who hasn’t been treated harshly. This is good news: obviously we don’t like to think of Brutus being cruelly treated, and also it will help him settle down much more quickly when he arrives at Shamwari. Three lions we rescued in August this year from a Romanian zoo are still nervous and uncomfortable around humans, which is very sad, as it prevents them enjoying their new life fully while they are still on edge.
At the time of the confiscation we were not able to explain to the owners where Brutus was being taken, but when he is safely at Shamwari, the SPA have said they will ensure photos of Brutus in his three acre bush enclosure will be sent to his owners. We hope they will be happy for him, and will understand that with our current understanding of the needs of captive wildlife, it was not right for Brutus to live and die in a circus wagon.
WITH GRATITUDE
Each rescue is a huge financial commitment, and we are very grateful to those of you who have responded to our appeal for funds. The French authorities cannot go ahead with the confiscation if they are not confident a home for the animal is available; we cannot begin to make plans for the rehoming if we are not confident the funds are in place to make it happen, so we are very grateful to the following: to our generous friends at Thomson Fly; to all the Born Free Foundation supporters who responded so wonderfully to this appeal; to our colleagues at the SPA in France, and to Cirque Phenix for their gift to the SPA of 6000 euros – Cirque Phenix have not used animals in their performances since 2002, and finally many thanks to Jean Byrd – without Jean providing the funds to build our new Centre, there would be no space left at Shamwari for Brutus. Thank you all very much indeed.
- New neighbours for Brutus at Shamwari. Photo - Glan Vena / BFF
¹Société Protectrice des Animaux ²Fondation Assistance aux Animaux
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