Rescued lions sleep tonight in their new South African home

This is because their circus owners had removed their claws and many of their teeth.

The lions were freed after wild animals were banned in circuses in Peru in 2011 and Colombia in 2013.

The plane will then head to Johannesburg in South Africa, arriving on Saturday.

Animal Defenders International (ADI), the US -based nonprofit organization leading the rescue, began its drive in February to raise $330,000 to fly the 33 lions to a private reserve in South Africa.

Reporters said they appeared healthy but a little distressed after their long journey.

"These lions have suffered tremendously", ADI spokeswoman Jan Creamer said, as quoted by the BBC.

A group of rescued lions is adjusting to new freedom.

The final destination for the animals, which were flown in on a chartered cargo flight, will be the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, a 5,000 hectare reserve on a private estate in South Africa's northern Limpopo province.

"They lived in small cages on the backs of trucks for their entire lives".

It's here in the South Africa's Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, where Simba and thirty two other lions have found their new home.

Animal Defenders International worker Yani Mateus gives one of the 33 Lions water ahead of it's release into it's new enclosure at the Emoya "Big Cat Sanctuary" on May 1.

The nine lions from Columbia were voluntarily surrendered from a circus.

Despite this, it will be the first time that numerous lions have had direct physical contact without being separated by a cage or a fence.

Female lions may receive contraceptive medications so they can remain with their mates, while males may undergo vasectomies to make sure than no lions are bred in captivity. "We have already performed dental surgery on a few of the lions while awaiting transportation to Africa, and more surgery is planned once they reach the sanctuary".

At their new home at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary, the lions will enjoy large natural enclosures situated in pristine African bush, complete with drinking pools, platforms and toys. The sanctuary is now home to eight big cats, including two Siberian tigers.

Source: Rescued lions sleep tonight in their new South African home