Rescued 'pet' lions start new life in Africa

Rescued lion cub plays in the sun They were illegally bought as status symbols to flaunt like fashion accessories and then cruelly dumped in the desert when no longer cute cubs. Known as the "Kuwait 6", these young lions symbolise a £16billion global trade boosted by irresponsible social media posts featuring people petting and "playing" with big cats. But having been rescued from starvation they are starting a new life at a South African wildlife sanctuary.

Males Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, Saif, and females Dhubiya and Aziza were saved by volunteers at Kuwait Zoo. The two younger cubs, Dhubiya and Saif, were found close to death and had to be nursed back to health at the Zoo. A special cargo flight was donated for the mercy mission by Qatar Airways Cargo People at Animal Defenders Inter-national tending to the lions.

Now Animal Defenders Inter-national, which has offices in the UK, has given them a home at its 455-acre ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in Winburg, South Africa. A special cargo flight..

. Karen Rockett.