Born in a small circus near Paris, Tomoyo a 14-year-old female and Illiana a 12-year-old female spent the first eight years of their lives in a wire ring performing tricks for paying customers. In 2020 the circus was forced to suspend touring operations due to COVID and the lionesses spent the next four years just sitting in a cage with nowhere to go. In 2021 however with the 73% public support the French parliament voted to end the use of wild animals in circus in new legislation hailed as a big step forward in the animal protection community.
The law prohibits the use of wild animals in TV shows, nightclubs, private parties, as well as circuses and raises the penalties for mistreating animals. The law stipulates that performances of wild animals such as lions, tigers or bears will be prohibited in 2023, and owning them outlawed in seven years thereby prohibiting performances of wild animals in circuses from December 2028 onwards.
Given the threat of the new law their owner surrendered the Lionesses voluntarily in December 2024. They were relocated temporarily to Tonga Terre d’Accueil, a refuge in South-Eastern France by the NG7O Free Life and the Belgian Wildlife Rescue Center Natuurhulpcentrum. Their physical condition began to improve with access to an outdoor enclosure in Tonga Terre. On April 9th of this year their journey continued, and they were transported to Paris by trailer and then by air from Paris to Johannesburg and then by trailer to LIONSROCK Sanctuary in South Africa. Under the guidance of Hildegard Pirker at the LIONSROCK, the team will closely monitor the two lionesses and help them settle in their new forever home under the African sun. Their life in a 30-foot cage has ended their life in a 3,000-acre sanctuary has begun.
TIGERS in AMERICA was happy to provide financial assistance for their relocation.
