Having arrived in the early evening in Lima, though unsure of what day I was experiencing due to scattered sleep breaks, transfers and travelling, I eventually found my way (with thanks to the driver) to the apartment.
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| Views from my apartment |
My first day in the rescue compound was surreal, and a very vague memory.
Yet every day, though interesting, fascinating, funny, hard, hot and relentless was routine; uncover the animals; breakfast for the monkeys and coati's; clear out the bowls from the nocturnals; water the wildlife; clear out the straw from the lions; feed the lions; water the lions; LUNCH; enrichments; clean out cages; afternoon snacks for monkeys; dinner for the noc's; cover the monkeys and lions; uncover the noc's. All the while doing regular water checks for wildlife and lions.
Going back the apartment had its own routine - dinner, shower (freezing!!), sleep.
No-one really tells you about the repetitive routine that comes with caring for captive animals (which is why they're so much better off in the wild!!!).
The Lions
The compound was purgatory; these animals had been through hell.
A number of lions had their teeth cut and their claws removed, covered in scars and others demonstrating stereotypies from their years in cages. Teeth cutting and claw pulling would not have been done by a registered and experienced vet, without anesthetic and without care. Some had been through courses of antibiotics and operations to rid them of a lifetime of infections. It's incomprehensible to think that people could commit such atrocities to such magnanimous earthlings.
Their ages varied greatly too, the oldest I noticed was 17 years old, and the youngest - brother and sister - were around a year (with Scarc, the male, in his awkward teen stage as his mane was growing in! Adorable!). Whereas the youngest ones still found fun in the day with their families, others, like Leo paced. He wasn't pacing due to his current facilities, but from his previous 12 years of cages and a denial of being allowed to act as his wild born cousins would.
I adored my time spent with the lions. Providing fresh water in the morning was brilliant, up close and personal as these beautiful animals lapped water from the watering can just like my dogs would at home.
I will never get that close to a lion again for the rest of my life, but that is exactly how it should be.
Their thunderous chorus would tremble in the air.
Some standing as they bellow; others lying on the floor whilst they take deep breaths - roaring starts in the stomach, working its way out. I stood, mesmerised by their captive valour.
Lunch was being prepared!
From what I was told, we managed to feed 24 lions in 2.3 minutes!!
With, what is potentially, the worlds only Vegan Butcher Team!!
I couldn't possibly tell you about every waking moment but just some highlights - playing the Running Game with Kala was amazing (and knackering!); watching the cubs run up the sides of their enclosures chasing each other like kittens; trying to get the water tray from Chino (who thought it better as a chew toy) so he could actually have a drink; watching Amazonas flirt horrendously with Rey and Smith; giving Leo a branch from a very fragrant tree and scratching his head with it - briefly stopping his pacing - fascinated by the smells and relief of a good head scratch, he brought a lump to my throat!
Each and every one of them, providing all goes to plan, should be going to their forever homes by the end of April. Knowing that they have such incredible facilities and a dedicated team at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado; knowing that they'll have space and room to roam, to play and bask in the sun (and play in the snow!), to form new friendships and families, to never have to perform another trick for the rest of their lives is one of the greatest feelings.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the closest thing that these beautiful lions will get to truly being wild, and bloody hell, they'll love it!!
I am privileged to have met them, to have spent a ridiculously fast two weeks caring for them. I hope I get the opportunity in the future to go to Colorado to see them again.
When you realise that you never really spend money, you spend the hours of your life someone thinks you're worth, you realise that your time - your hours - is worth so much more than they're willing to pay.
You will decide to spend those hours differently; whether its with family or friends, or volunteering or travelling. I cannot think of a better way to have spent 14 days. And I would easily have given more!
Lion Ark Peru: Part 3 - Monkeys, Coatis and Chosnas (Oh My!) to follow...
