MEET OUR BIG CATS!
Born Free’s two big cat sanctuaries at Shamwari Private Game Reserve are home to lions and leopards rescued from appalling captive conditions around the world.
They have come to us from zoos and circuses, or from private homes where they were kept as pets. The nature of their background means they would be unable to fend for themselves if released into the wild, so they are given expert, lifetime care in a spacious, safe and natural environment.
BLACK
DATE OF BIRTH: 9th June 2007
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 28th September 2015
Black was rescued by Born Free from a cramped circus trailer in Bulgaria after the country banned the use of wild animals in circuses. Black travelled from Bulgaria to our big cat sanctuary with his brother Jora.
BRUTUS
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated 2001
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 27th April 2008
Brutus was confiscated from Cirque Vitalis, a circus in France, where he lived in a two-metre cage. He was rehabilitated at Le Refuge de l’Arche, in France, before travelling to our big cat sanctuary.
CERSEI
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated September 2018
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 12th October 2019
Cersei was rescued from a garage in Marseille, France, where she was being kept illegally as a pet. She was very unwell and underweight; with skin irritation, a dull coat, gastrointestinal problems and corneal ulcers. She was rehabilitated in temporary accommodation in Lyon, France, before moving to our big cat sanctuary as part of a joint relocation with Horus, Dadou and Thea.
CIAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 1st September 2014
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 5th May 2017
Ciam was rescued from a cage in a garden in southern France in November 2015 where he was being kept illegally as a pet. Ciam was rehabilitated at Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre, in Belgium, before journeying to our big cat sanctuary.
DADOU
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated September 2018
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 12th October 2019
Dadou was rescued from a Lamborghini sports car on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, France. He was being kept as a pet and his owner was taking selfies with him. The tip of his tail was missing and he had weak hind legs because his muscles had not properly developed. He was rehabilitated in temporary accommodation in Lyon, France, before moving to our big cat sanctuary in October 2019 as part of a joint relocation with Horus, Thea and Cersei.
HORUS
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated September 2018
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 12th October 2019
Horus was only two months old when he was rescued from a child’s bed in an apartment in the suburbs of Paris, France. He was being kept illegally as a pet. Horus was rehabilitated in temporary accommodation in Lyon, France, before moving to our big cat sanctuary as part of a joint relocation with Dadou, Thea and Cersei.
JERRY
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated 2001
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: August 2007
Jerry was rescued from a zoo in Buhusi, Romania, in 2007 with his mother and brother. The family were given a home at our big cat sanctuary.
JORA
DATE OF BIRTH: 9th June 2007
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 28th September 2015
Jora was rescued by Born Free from a cramped circus trailer in Bulgaria after the country banned the use of wild animals in circuses. Jora travelled from Bulgaria to our big cat sanctuary in September 2015 with his brother Black.
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KING
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated July 2017
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 7th July 2018
King was rescued from an apartment on the outskirts of Paris, France, by French wildlife charities Fondation 30 Million d’Amis and Refuge de l’Arche. He was being kept illegally as a pet in a small, dirty cage. King was rehabilitated at Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre, in Belgium, before making the journey to our big cat sanctuary in July 2018.
LEDA
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated 1990
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 2nd May 2009
Leda was born in Tel Aviv Zoo, Israel, and was transferred to Limassol Zoo, in Cyprus, when she was four years old. She was rescued by Born Free from Limassol with her daughter Rhea following a long-running campaign for it to be shut down, led by Born Free’s Co-Founder Bill Travers. The Mayor of Cyprus gave permission for Leda and Rhea to be given a new home at our big cat sanctuary.
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MAGGIE
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated 2006
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 23rd January 2015
Maggie was confiscated from a German circus with her sister Sonja where they had been living in a cramped trailer. They were rehabilitated at Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre, in Belgium, before moving to their permanent home at our big cat sanctuary in January 2015.
NELSON
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated January 2000
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 5th May 2017
Nelson was rescued from Parc Zoologique du Bouy, France, in April 2015 by French animal rescue charity Fondation 30 Million d’Amis when the zoo fell into liquidation and the owner was arrested for wildlife trafficking. He was rehabilitated at Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre, in Belgium, before journeying to our big cat sanctuary in May 2017.
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RHEA
DATE OF BIRTH: 28th January 1998
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: June 2009
Rhea was born in Limassol Zoo, in Cyprus. She was rescued from Limassol with her mother Leda following a long-running campaign for it to be shut down, led by Born Free’s Co-Founder Bill Travers. The Mayor of Cyprus gave permission for Rhea and Leda to be given a new home at our big cat sanctuary.
SAMI
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated 2001
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: July 2001
Sami was found abandoned in the Sudanese bush with his brother and sister in 2001. Thought to be just four months old and with no sign of their mother, they were given a new home at our big cat sanctuary.
SONJA
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated 2006
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 23rd January 2015
Sonja was confiscated from a German circus with her sister Maggie where they had been living in a cramped trailer. They were rehabilitated at Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre, in Belgium, before moving to their permanent home at our big cat sanctuary in January 2015.
THEA
DATE OF BIRTH: Estimated November 2018
ARRIVED AT SHAMWARI: 12th October 2019
Thea was being kept illegally as a pet in France, but was surrendered by her owner in January 2019 when she was just eight weeks old. She had glaucoma, was under-developed and underweight, with extreme hair loss and diarrhoea. She was rehabilitated in temporary accommodation in Lyon, France, before moving to our big cat sanctuary in October 2019 as part of a joint relocation with Horus, Dadou and Cersei.
IMAGES: © George Logan, © Filip Fortuna
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