33 Rescued Circus Lions Airlifted to South African Sanctuary

The sanctuary is a paradise for the lions who've survived deplorable conditions.

April 29, 2016, 12:43 PM

— -- Thirty-three lions rescued from "deplorable conditions" in circuses in Peru and Colombia are being flown over 7,000 miles today back to their homeland in South African bush, according to Animal Defenders International, the group spearheading the operation.

The lions' journey marks the conclusion of Operation Spirit of Freedom, a mission started by ADI in partnership with the Peruvian and Colombian governments to enforce the ban on wild animals in circuses and crack down on illegal wildlife trafficking, ADI said in a news release earlier this week.

ABC News "Nightline" has been following this story since last year and will air an update on May 3.

The operation has rescued over 100 animals, including the 33 lions were who were found "living in deplorable conditions in cages on the backs of trucks," ADI said.

Unfortunately, almost all the lions "have been mutilated to remove their claws, one has lost an eye, another is almost blind, and many have smashed and broken teeth," the group said.

PHOTO: A former circus lion rests inside a cage located in the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, April 26, 2016.
A former circus lion rests inside a cage located in the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

"These lions have endured hell on earth and now they are heading home to paradise," ADI President Jan Creamer said in ADI's news release.