At least 25 lions that were rescued from circuses in Bolivia wait at the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra for the transfer to a natural reserve at Colorado, United States, informed yesterday newspaper “El Deber”.

The operation, called “Lion Ark”, will be concluded as soon as organization Animal Defenders International (ADI) managed to close negotiation with airplane companies for the transport.

According to the organization, there is only one permission missing to export them to a 320 kilometer forest natural reserve.

The lions live in big cages, receive a reinforcement treatment and food that cost, per week, about USD 2 thousand.

In July 2009, Government of President Evo Morales approved a Law that prohibits the use of wild and domestic animals in circuses for considering that cruelty acts are taken in these shows.

The Law allows policy authorities to confiscate animals and to apply penalties in case of disrespect against it. Apart from that, the Law also prohibits the transit in Bolivian territory of circuses shows with animals.

In March 2010 the Government also approved another resolution that put an end in the use of animals in military trainings and exercises.

More information: http://www.ad-international.org/animal_rescues/go.php?id=2025&ssi=24