As a change from letters on the activities of our local council (desperately important though they are), I wondered if I could tell readers of a huge lion rescue operation that UK-based Animal Defenders International (ADI) currently has in progress and seek their assistance?

Recently ADI’s two-year undercover investigation of abuse in Bolivian circuses caused a storm of public concern and protest, which resulted in the world’s first ever nationwide ban of any and all circus animals. In May of 2010, ADI rescued four lions and brought them to freedom in a sanctuary in the US.

The Bolivian government then asked ADI to take its remaining circus lions and, in the past few weeks, ADI has seized 25 lions, six monkeys, a coati mundi and a horse from appalling conditions in travelling circuses. The lions were in a desperate state when ADI rescued them. They are now building their strength with good food and special supplements to prepare them for their journey to a wonderful new life in a sancuary in the US.

This is likely to be the biggest lion rescue and airlift the world has ever seen and there may be local residents who would like to help with the rescue of these beautiful animals and give them the life they so richly deserve.

The Save the Lions appeal — www.savethelionsappeal.com — is urgently calling for donations to help bring the lions back to health, to airlift them to safety and to prepare the new facilities for their life-long care — some may have 20 years of freedom ahead of them. Donations can be made by calling 020 7630 3340.

If you feel that wild animals and circuses should never meet and you can spare a little to support this cause, please accept my grateful thanks.

Jenny Grainge
Whitefriars Avenue, Harrow