Dutch animal welfare organization rescues 12 lions from French circus
Dutch animal welfare organization Stichting AAP successfully rescued 12 lions from a French circus, marking the largest feline rescue in its history. The group included one male, two females, and nine cubs. The lions were transported to the foundation's sanctuary in Spain for care and rehabilitation.
The rescue follows a French ban enacted in December 2023 on breeding wild animals in circuses. "The cubs were likely born in captivity this summer, violating the law," said Peter de Haan, spokesperson for Stichting AAP. "Performances were no longer permitted, leaving the animals confined to circus trailers week after week."
Initial efforts to retrieve the lions two weeks earlier were unsuccessful due to resistance from the circus staff. "The circus holds significant power, and the police walked away, leaving the situation unsafe for us," De Haan explained.
A second attempt, coordinated with French authorities and the foundation’s French partner Code Animal, proved successful despite tension. "The atmosphere was threatening," said De Haan. "For the circus staff, these animals are like family. They've worked with them for years, so I can understand their feelings to an extent. But seeing the conditions the animals were kept in, it was clear they needed to leave."
Once in Spain, the lions will undergo a quarantine period during which their health will be assessed. "They appear healthy but are weak," De Haan noted. "Years of confinement have left their muscles underdeveloped."
Due to local regulations, Stichting AAP cannot house lions in its Almere facility. The foundation will provide updates on the lions' condition as they adjust to their new environment.
