Malnourished lion returns to woman who rescued him from circus abuse

Record ID: 1460923

  • Title: Malnourished lion returns to woman who rescued him from circus abuse
  • Date: 28th February 2020
  • Summary: CALI, COLOMBIA (FILE - OCTOBER 20, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JUPITER HUGGING TORRES JUPITER'S ENCLOSURE A THEN HEALTHY JUPITER WHILST IN TORRES' CUSTODY
  • Embargoed: 13th March 2020 01:05
  • Keywords: Cali Colombia Cordoba emaciated malnourished rescue
  • Location: CORDOBA + CALI, COLOMBIA
  • City: CORDOBA + CALI, COLOMBIA
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Environment,Nature/Wildlife
  • Reuters ID: LVA002C2DZFWN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An emaciated lion in Colombia was transported on Thursday (February 27) to be closer to its 'mother' in a bid to save his life.
    Jupiter was rescued at a young age from a circus after a life of abuse. Following his rescue, Jupiter was dubbed the 'kissing lion' after video of him hugging his carer Ana Julia Torres went viral in 2011.
    But in 2019, authorities removed Jupiter from Torres' care over her reported lack of proper documentation to keep the lion.
    Now in 2020, Jupiter is back in the spotlight but for the wrong reasons. Video emerged of the lion emaciated and unable to walk at his animal enclosure in the department of Cordoba.
    Following outrage at home and abroad, animal lovers and his rescuer mobilised to get Jupiter removed from the facility and transported to a new home closer to his rescuer.
    He will now receive treatment in Cali zoo, where vets will work around the clock to get Jupiter back to full health. And close by will be Torres, looking to provide a mother's love as he recovers.
    Cali's Mayor Jorgan Ivan Ospina was part of the welcome committee for Jupiter. Speaking to media, he vowed to provide the lion with the best chances for a happy life.
    The hope now for Jupiter is that this king of the jungle will once again return to his former glory.
    (Production: Herbert Villarraga, Andres Rojas, Camilo Cohecha, Paul Vieira)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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