{"id":630065,"date":"2026-10-14T05:42:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T05:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/630065\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T05:42:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T05:42:19","slug":"rescue-lions-have-a-heartwarming-reaction-to-a-live-concert-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/630065\/","title":{"rendered":"Rescue Lions Have a Heartwarming Reaction to a Live Concert Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

A pair of rescue lions<\/a> gets the chance to listen to a special performance by Plumes<\/a>, and their response is so sweet.<\/p>\n

In a video posted to TikTok<\/a>, the viral animal serenader<\/a> sat in front of the rescue lions’ habitat and performed a cover of Niall Horan’s “You Can Start a Cult.” In the video, Plumes performed the song on his acoustic guitar when the two lions poked their head out of their enclosure.<\/p>\n

They both then went over to him while he performed for them, but one of the lions got distracted by the leaves. The other lion stood in front of Plumes as he continued to sing, and she eventually lay in front of him. She continued to stare at him and even slightly swayed to the music.<\/p>\n

Even Plumes loved the way the lion “lies down \ud83d\ude2d\u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79” while he sang to them. People in the comments also loved the tender moment, with users commenting that they were, “So sad to see the condition of these two innocents [lions]. Thank you for giving them a piece of good they can remember \u2764\ufe0f.”<\/p>\n

“The one who lies down looks like a little kid enjoying story time \ud83e\udd70,” one person wrote, while another said, “The intense eye contact brought me to tears.”<\/p>\n

Others noticed that the lions wobbled while they walked, with one user adding, “broke my heart as soon as they started walking. That shows enough about the pain they endured.”<\/p>\n

“I’ve been a vet tech for 25 years and had zero clue that wobbly cat syndrome affected the big cats too,” another said. “Wow. They are so beautiful.”<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc36<\/a>\u00a0SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends<\/a>\ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc3e<\/a><\/p>\n

How Are Rescued Circus Lions Rehabilitated?<\/p>\n

Rehabilitating animals like lions takes an enormous amount of time, effort, and resources to ensure they can thrive after years of neglect.<\/p>\n

According to Lions, Tigers, and Bears Animal Rescue<\/a>, “Through coordinated rescue, hands-on veterinary care, and years of patient rehabilitation, neglected lions, tigers, bears, and other exotic animals can heal physically and emotionally, eventually finding permanent safety and dignity.”<\/p>\n

“A typical case might begin with a tip to local animal control or state wildlife officials, followed by an inspection that documents the animal’s living conditions,” they continued. “If the situation meets the threshold for seizure under state law or the federal Animal Welfare Act, officials then need a qualified facility willing and able to take the animal in, often on very short notice.”<\/p>\n

They noted that once they’re rescued, lions typically require “dental surgery to remove damaged teeth, treatment for chronic joint disease, wound management, parasite control, and long-term nutritional support.”<\/p>\n

Rehabilitation also includes behavioral recovery through “Building trust through consistent routines and familiar caretakers, offering choice, allowing the animal to access different parts of its habitat freely, introducing species-appropriate enrichment, such as scent trails, puzzle feeders, and natural vegetation, and providing space to express natural behaviors like climbing, digging, or swimming.”<\/p>\n

“For animals born in captivity, raised by humans, or kept as pets for years, release is almost never possible. These animals typically lack the survival skills, immune resilience, and instinctual behaviors needed to live independently, and releasing a captive-raised [lion] into a wild ecosystem would put both the animal and local wildlife at serious risk,” they continued. “Instead, a true second chance means permanent sanctuary life: large, naturalistic habitats, a stable routine, expert veterinary care for the rest of the animal’s life, and freedom from exploitation.”<\/p>\n

Related: Man Sings to Lioness, and She Loved it So Much, ‘She Relaxed Instantly’<\/a><\/p>\n

This story was originally published by PetHelpful<\/a> on Oct 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News<\/a> section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n